An NCGenWeb/USGenWeb Project
Did you know that the NCGenWeb Project hosts a NC Yearbook Index. This Index lists (mostly) graduating seniors at colleges and schools across the state. Currently, the index largely focuses on pre-1931 graduates but there are some exceptions. Each index entry links to the full digitized yearbook online.
List of students that put a Martin County city as their hometown
Since hometowns were not always included, it is a good idea to also search the entire database.
In 1990, the Martin County Genealogical Society published “Martin County, North Carolina: Abstracts of Will Books.” I have scanned the index of the book and posted it to Scribd.com.
If you identify someone of interest in the book, try locating it in a library near you. The Martin County Historical Society also sells the book.
While fixing up some things here on the site, I recently learned that the Martin County Regsistrar of Deeds has a new online system for locating old records. You can now access county land records back to 1866 on their website! Records available include: deeds, easements, agreements, deeds of trust, assignments, releases, plats and more. This list of land record terminology may be helpful as you navigate around.
The site has three methods for accessing the records
Here is an example of the search interface for the Full System where you can enter various search criteria. ‘
Looking at the old deed books are fun too! Here is a screen shot of Old Deed Book U — notice that by using the sidebar buttons you can go page by page. This looks to be a deed from Emily & William B. Tarkenton from September of 1870. Hope you can read this old handwriting better than I!
Thank you to the Register of Deeds office for making these available! Visit their website to search on your own.
Jean Robinson shares the following information about the Ambrose Family Reunion.
Its reunion time in North Carolina! We’ve moved the reunion to what used to be Ellsberry Ambrose’s property in Creswell, NC.
The reunion will be held at Mt. Tabor Freewill Baptist Church located at 1159 Mt. Tabor Road, Creswell, Washington County, North Carolina.
The building is air-conditioned and handicapped accessible. Parking is free of charge. The date is Saturday, June 5, 2010. The doors will be open at 10:00 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon.The cost is $10/ adult at the door. Children under 12 are $5 and children under 3 are free.
The meal is catered so we will need to know whether or not you are coming by Monday, May 24th. Please RSVP to: Ginny Cummings, 1188 Idaho Ave., Coos Bay, OR 97420or (541) 404-6886 or Ginny.
Back by popular demand is the rambunctious silent auction. Please bring items to donate. This was a huge boost to the reunion fund and added entertainment to the day! Any white elephants or crafts or uniquely Ambrose items are welcome!
Those who would like can also bring salads or desserts as we try to keep some of the home-cooked flavor!
Jean Robinson will have copies of her books to view. She has put a lot of time and energy into recreating our history for us. You can order the books from Jean at the reunion!Davenport Homestead Heritage Day is also happening on that Saturday just a few doors down from the church. Admission is free. They will have exhibits showing examples or early life along the Scuppernong River. Included is the restored 1770’s home, loom house, salt house, corn crib, smoke house and out house. There will be live entertainment and old time food and crafts for sale.
From the 21 Mar 1890 issue of the Roanoke Beacon, newspaper of Plymouth, North Carolina.
ANGE – At his home in Martin county, on Tuesday, March 18th, 1890. Mr. Malichi ANGE. The deceased was a member of the Freewill Baptist church. He leaves a wife and seventeen children to whom we extend our heartfelt sympathies.
From the online collection “Daily Reflector Image Collection” is this picture of a civil rights march December 16, 1963 in Bear Grass.
See more pictures here.
I’ve added a new page to the site, one that will focus on probate records. Probate records are court records created after an individual’s death that relate to a court’s decisions regarding the distribution of his estate to his heirs or creditors and the care of his dependents. You can find can access the page directly or by choosing it from the drop down menu on the right side of the screen under “Records/Data.”
The impetus for creating this page was an index I photocopied several months ago while visiting the Tennessee State Library & Archives. This book, Martin County, North Carolina : abstracts of will books 1 & 2: 1774-1868, was published by the Martin County Genealogical Society in 1990. My photocopy was not the best; some of the page edges are cut off, but I hope to get a better version on my next visit.
If you find someone of interest mentioned in the book, it is available for sale from the county Historical Society (details here), or you can search to see if any libraries near you own it by visiting WorldCat.org.
The index is below: Click on “FULLSCREEN” to enlarge it!
Today I’ve chosen a new look for the Martin County NCGenWeb site. I hope that the new design allows you to find information more easily. I’ve moved the main navigation over to drop down menu in the sidebar.
Since on taking on responsibility for several other NCGenWeb counties: Jones, Onslow & Washington, I’ve learned that I definitely have layout preferences. I hope that you like these changes too.
Remember, keep track of changes/additions to the site by subscribing to the blog using your preferred feed reader! If you need help on how to do this, please just contact me.
Mavis Jones is a genealogist with ties to Martin County and has recently added her surnames of interest – Ewell, Everett & Jones to our Surnames page.
Mavis has two blogs, one of which she devotes to her research progress of her family from Martin County, Conversations With My Ancestors. Visit Mavis’ blog today!
I’ve recently gone through and checked all URLs and have fixed any broken links. Hopefully, this will make your browsing and searching experience on the site easier.
Also remember – if you have any data to contribute on your Martin County ancestors, please let me know. Thanks!