FamilySearch.org has an online database of estate records from across the state that span 1663-1979. Thanks to a collaboration between the NC Genealogical Society (NCGS), the NC State Archives, and volunteer indexers, the database is being made available online at https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1911121.
Use the index below to browse those records specific to Craven County. Each name in the document below is a hyperlink to the record on the FamilySearch.org website.
The following death notice for George STANLEY, infant son of James G. STANLEY Jr., appeared in the May 14, 1841 issue of the Raleigh Register newspaper.
The following death notice for Ann DALRYMPLE appeared in the May 28, 1940 issue of the Raleigh Register. She was the widow of Captain Alexander DALRYMPLE.
Thanks to the diligent work of the Craven County Public Library, you can access a list of county apprentice bonds on their website that span 1769-1910. Apprentice bonds were for children who ” …were orphaned, needed employment, or wanted to learn a trade” [1]
The list on the library website is divided into several files, each covering a specific time period. What kind of information might you find in a bond record? In this set, you can find names of free persons of color for the earlier bonds (e.g. prior to 1820). Perhaps the most useful aspect of the bonds are the names & relationships that may be included, especially among some of the African-American youth included. Seeing the names can help give a better indication of who was living in the community and can be powerful when combined with more traditional information sources.
The following death notice appeared in the July 24, 1840 issue of the Raleigh Register. Mr. Guion was the Cashier of the Merchants’ Bank of Newbern and formerly of Wake county.
