Got North Carolina Roots?

If so you'll want to check out one of the latest digital archives to come on line.  The state of North Carolina joins a long list of states that are either placing or have placed their newspapers and and other media on line. Although the Digital Library appears to have been around since at least 2010, the word just seems to be getting out.  

Entitled Digital North Carolina, North Carolina's Digital Heritage, the website is loaded with tons of newspapers, scrapbooks, city directories and MORE.

I stumbled upon the website quite by accident but I can see I'll be doing some exploring here very soon.  Lots to explore for sure!  To keep up with all that's being posted, I've followed the blog, which you can check out here.

Here's to happy researching!

Kissin' Cousins

I have friends that also blog and do genealogy.  It amazes me how after a time we seem to find links between us. We knew going in that two of the friends were linked, Anne & Carol. Then we discovered a link between Carol at Reflections and myself.  After a while we discovered that Anne over at Gene Notes is related to my husband Mark.  Yesterday we discovered yet another link between the two lines.

Anne and I both have the Early surname but we just can't seem to link them together.  It seems no matter where we go I find someone who can link into Mark's tree.  Our friend Lisa came over, we were talking genealogy and her tree links into Mark's Ligon tree.  We went to church, discussing genealogy with a lady there, she links in with the Powell line that Mark has.  So does her husband.

Our friend's Chuck & Diane are also active in the genealogy hunt.  We found a link between Diane & Mark, although it is thru Mark's stepgrandfather.  Don't get me wrong,  I'm thrilled to find all those connections for Mark's tree.

Isn't anyone related to me?  Is anyone out there researching Boomershine, Kreitzer, Peterman, Ansley, Nix or any of my other surnames?  How about Regan connections in North Carolina or  Hess in Virginia & Ohio?  I guess for now I'll have to settle for more connections to Mark's tree.  After all, I guess that's better than nothing.

Happy Researching!
Karen

Tombstone Tuesday - Emma Regan of Person County, North Carolina

Emmaline (Emma) Matilda McGeachy married Joseph Regan 30 Nov 1865, Person County, North Carolina. She was born 31 Jan 1842 and died 10 July 1894.  It is not known as of this writing who her parents were.  She & Joseph are both buried in the cemetery of the Regan United Methodist Church in Person County, North Carolina. 

Happy St. Patricks Day - The Regan Family (Ireland to Virginia)

In honor of St. Patrick's Day I thought I would share a bit on my early "Irish" ancestors - the Regain's of Surry County, Virginia. 

Rumor has it, I have not done any research in Ireland on this family, that Daniel Regan was born in "County Cork, Ireland" in the year 1626.  Mind you I've no documentation on this.  Daniel is married to Elizabeth Wilson, whose birthplace is unknown to this compiler at this time. 

Daniel and Elizabeth are the parents of 5 children, Francis (my ancestor) who marries Jane Gross, Daniel (who marries Ann), John, Elizabeth and Jeremiah.    All of the children born between 1662-1682 in Surry County, Virginia.  If you find you have ties to this family, or if you have information to share, I'd love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment below or email me at karen at miprofgenie dot com.  I'd love to hear from you.

Daniel signed a will on the 2nd of Nov 1686 - (Will typed as shown in original document)
     In the name of God, Amen.
I Daniell Regan being sick and weak of body, but having my perfect senses and memory do make this my Last Will and Testament. Whensoever it shall please God to take me out of this mortal life, I bequeath my soul to God my Creator trusting in the alone Merits of Jesus Christ my Savior and Redeemer trusting in sure and certain hope of resurrection at the last day. And my body to the earth from whence it came to be decently entered. And for what worldly estate hath pleased God to prosper me with all it is my will and desire that it be disposed of as followeth:

Imprimis: I do give unto my eldest son Francis seventy acres of land including my plantation after ye decease of his mother. But further it is my desire if in case that my wife and my said son cannot agree in living together, that then my said plantation and ye parcel of land that I have assigned to it may be equally divided between them and my wife to have her first choice.

Secondly, I do give unto my son Daniell fifty acres of land adjoining unto the land of Francis Sowersby when he comes to the age of eighteen years.

Thirdly, I do give unto my son Jeremiah fifty acres of land next adjoining to my son Daniell's land.

Fourthly, I do give unto my son John fifty acres of land next adjoining to the land I have given my son Francis.

Fifthly, I do give unto my son Daniell my mare called by the name of Roase and the first filly that the said mare brings, I do give unto my son Jeremiah.

Sixthly, I do give unto my son John a mare filly that I now have of six months old. Seventhly, it is my desire that my old mare and all the increase that she shall bring shall be equally divided between my wife and my daughter Elizabeth when she comes to the age of eighteen years.

Eighthly, it is my desire that my son Daniell may have a barrow of two years old and a sow of two years old and corn to make them fat for to purchase him clothes forthwith.

And ninthly, it is my will and desire that those most of my stock in general, both of hogs and cattle, and all my household goods may be equally divided between my wife and children after my just debts are paid. And whereon I have lately purchased of James Mumford fifty acres of land in Charles City County, it is my desire that my son Francis may sell it to help pay my debts.

And lastly, I do hereby constitute and ordain my wife and son Francis my Executrix and Executor to see that my last Will and Testament be performed, and so God rest my soul in heaven whensoever it shall please him to take me out of this mortal life. Given under my hand and seal this second day of November, 1686.

 (seal) Signed and sealed in the presence of us John King Richard Merriwether -l-a Sowersby At a Court held for the County of Surry, July 5, 1687. The above said proved in Court by the oaths of the Witnesses and a probate granted the Executors.

(seal) W. Edwards, County Clerk Recorded W.E. County Clerk

Happy Researching!
Karen
**Thanks to my good friend Michael Reck for the Clipart featured above!

Military Monday - The Two Deaths of Ralph Regan

Below are two images, the top one is a company muster roll showing the death of Ralph Regan on 13 JUL 1863, The second a document called Confederate Roll of Honor shows Ralph dying the 6th of JUL 1863.  Wonder which one will turn out to be correct? 

Ralph had enlisted 27 MAY 1861 at Lumberton, North Carolina.  He was wounded on 27 MAY 1862 and had been away from his unit for some time recuperating. With his muster roll showing him absent from the time he was wounded until late October 1862. 

Remember that you can click on the image and it will open in a new window with a larger image.  Use your browsers back button to return to GFOM.

Ralph Regan was one of seven known children of Ralph Regan (1796-1861) and his wife, Elizabeth Musselwhite.  Ralph was the only son of the couple. No evidence of his being married has been found.  His enlistment roll shows him to be a 20 year old farmer, 5 ft 11  1/2 inches tall.  It is not clear to the compiler at this point if there is a relationship to our past President by a simular last name.