Genealogy rooms in N.C. offer great files

On a recent North Carolina trip, I visited three local genealogy/heritage rooms.

They each had vertical file folders filed by family names and subjects that many times could provide great leads.

In Salisbury, North Carolina, I visited the main Rowan County Public Library and the Edith M. Clark History Room, which houses the well-known McCubbins Collection, made up of the voluminous research notes (also on microfilm via FamilySearch.org) of Mamie McCubbins (1874-1954). Also there are the papers of Jo White Linn, professional genealogist, and any letters written to either the courthouse or the library for genealogy information. The staff pulls the folders for you to use. A list of surnames included can be found on the library’s website. The staff also offers limited online research services, see edithclark.omeka.net/ research-help. I could have used a checklist to be sure I knew all the topics included in the history room.

Next, I went to the newly opened Stanly County History Center in Albemarle, N.C. They recently moved the genealogy materials from the public library to the center, shared by the local museum. Lots of space, lots of great family folders chocked full of information, but no surname list that I saw. Bible records were a separate series you had to ask for. They could have used a checklist as well.

My final stop was Anson County, Wadesboro, where the genealogy room at the library was the size of my den, and their family folders not quite as organized, but still useful. There, the local historical society was a necessary visit. All in all, you have to be prepared, do your homework and stay focused to get the most of your visit.

Roads, ferries, bridges of DeKalb and Fulton

Dr. G. Michael Pratt will speak at the DeKalb History Center on July 18 at noon on “Early Infrastructure: the Roads, Ferries and Bridges that shaped DeKalb and Fulton Counties.” Free, bring your own lunch. At the DeKalb History Center/Old Courthouse on the square in Decatur. For further information, see dekalbhistory. org or call 404-373-1088 ext. 23.

Masons celebrate 300 years

The Masons recently celebrated 300 years of Freemasonry. It’s always worth noting if an ancestor was a Mason. And sometimes, at least in Georgia, the state lodge’s annual published list of members’ names per local lodge can be quite useful for genealogists. See glofga.org.