When James Earl Dillard was born January 7, 1911 in Caswell County, NC , his father, James Edgar Dillard caused some upward eyebrows:

Some thought Ed DILLARD was having fits the other morning. They said he went out and turned over his buggy, then climbed on top of the house and crowed like a rooster. Closer enquiring revealed that a little stranger had come to Ed’s home, and he was rejoicing. Ed lives at Corbett. — pg. 1 of the January 12, 1911 issue of the Mebane Leader newspaper of Alamance County, NC.

That’s a way to celebrate!   😀

This birth announcement appeared in the January 12, 1911 issue of the Mebane Leader newspaper of Alamance County, North Carolina.  It is one of many articles I’ve abstracted for the NCGenWeb NC People in the Papers database. This newspaper, along with several others, have recently been added to the DigitalNC.org website to their North Carolina Newspapers collection.  Full-text issues are up and can be searched or browsed so you definitely will want to check them out.

Also of interest for those seeking birth records in the state is that FamilySearch.org’s North Carolina Birth Index which spans 1800-2000.  Records are from the NC State Library and while not all counties are included, it is definitely worthwhile to consult.  In fact, young baby boy Dillard’s birth record is included.