A new resource for the NCGenWeb project is an index of students from North Carolina colleges & universities. Â Yearbooks are wonderful sources for learning more about your ancestors and their activities during their college years.
The NC Yearbook Index is a searchable database of students (mostly graduating seniors) from schools across the state. Â The index currently includes more than 16,000 names and focuses largely on the yearbooks from 1930 and earlier. Â In each case, the yearbooks are available in their entirety online via the efforts of the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center.
I’ve found relatives so far in the yearbooks, maybe you’ll find some too! To see the list of students explicitly identified as coming from Washington County, go here. Â Surnames include Ayers, Blount, Brinkley, Chesson, Latham, Â Norman, Spurill, Swain, Walker and more.
For example, here is the entry for Alice Walker Phelps, Â daughter of former Washington County sheriff John L. Phelps and granddaughter of Augustus Gambol Walker. Â She graduated from UNC-Greensboro in 1913 Â (then known as the North Carolina College for Women). Â She was a member of several organizations including the YWCA, Chorus, the Athletic Association, and was active in student government. Â Her description reads
Here is a normal girl who knows how to dress. Â And thereby hangs a tale: she has numerous suitors and is always generous with candy. Â A member in good standing of all clubs musical, for Alice sings as well as she plays. Â In addition she has charming manners, and quite a distinguished air. Â We predict for her a matrimonial career with a title attached.
What a great treasure for her current family & descendants to have! Â The NC Yearbook Index will grow over time. Â A link has been added to the Education page that will always reflect the most updated listings.