2011 3.pdfDavie Dossier
Issued by
Davie County Historical and Genealogical Society
Mocksville, North Carolina
July 2011, Issue 3
Davie County Historical and Genealogical Society
MEETINGS ARE HELD THE FOURTH TUESDAY (January through November)
President Linda Leonard
Vice President
Secretary Pat Reilly
Treasurer Marie Roth
Board of Directors Pat Reilly, Claude Horn
Dossier Editors Marie Roth, Doris Frye
Webmaster Marie Roth
Our Website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncdavhgs has these features:
?All the churches in Davie County
?Cemeteries in Davie County with locations
?National Register of Historic Places sites
?Names on the War Memorial in Mocksville
?Index to Bible Records at DCPL
?Order blanks so you don’t tear up Dossier
?Townships as listed on Census, 1790 - 1930
?Meeting Dates and Programs
?Guardian Accounts, Davie Co. 1846- 1859
?Apprentice Bonds, Davie Co. 1829 -1859
?1974 booklet about old schools in Davie
?Additional info: Davie County School History
New: Branson’s NC Business Directories for
Davie on our Web site
Another Website about Davie County genealogy and history:
https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Davie_County%2C_North_Carolina
DAVIE CO. HISTORICAL/GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMS, 7 pm at the library:
January 25, A tribute to Mr. James Wall and Frances “Pan” Beck. Description of the process of writing
a book and self-publishing on the Internet. Marie Roth: History of Davie County Schools.
February 22,Betty West: scrapbooks and descriptions of the trips she took to see all the museums of US
Presidents.
March 22,Debi Dotson and Jane McAllister: their most recent book Images of America, Mocksville.
April 14, Book signing event at the library.
May 24, Heather Fearnbach: description of the process of attaining National Historic Registry Status for
Farmington and the significant features of this Township.
June 28, program about marriages; see feature articles in this issue.
July, no meeting
August 13, Yadkin Valley Historical Association conference at Surry County Community
College in Dobson. Theme is “Saving the Cemeteries of the Yadkin Valley”. This workshop
will take the place of our regular meeting. Car pooling will be available for Davie County
residents. For information about this conference and sale of books, see the Web site of YVHA
at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncyadvha/. You can print out a registration form to fill
out and return to register for the conference.
THIS DOSSIER WILL CONCENTRATE ON MARRIAGE RECORDS
When you fill out family group sheets, you want birth,
marriage, and death information. Another name for this is
“Hatched, Matched, and Dispatched”. There is a wide range
of marriage backgrounds – from elegant expensive wedding to
a quick trip to the minister’s house or court house. But the
date and place are important to us as we fill in the blanks for
learning about our ancestors.
“Love and Marriage” By Juliana Smith, 09 February 2007,
on Ancestry.com
“If we're lucky, we have photographs of the happy couple on their wedding day--the smiling faces,
the beautiful dress, the dapper suit. As they peer out at us from faded old photographs, we can't help but
wonder what was going through their heads at that moment. As the curious descendants who are tracing
their lives back in history, we know more about the course their lives were to take from that day forward.
As they stood and posed for the photographs they probably hadn't a clue as to what life would have in store
for them.”
“Learning more about our ancestors at this pivotal time in their lives adds romance and can really
enrich our family histories. And information found in records created around the event can generate great
leads in our family history.”
Pop Quiz about your record keeping:
?If you own original old wedding photos, do you know how to take good care of them?
?Are they in a damp basement or dusty, hot attic?
?Have you labeled them with names, dates, and places?
?Have you scanned them so that others can benefit from them?
?Have you put backup copies somewhere? This spring, a lot of people have lost their homes and all
their possessions. Have you put copies of photos in a safe place?
?Have you shared these photos and family stories with your children and your grandchildren?
A CIVIL WAR LETTER FROM A SOLDIER TO HIS WIFE:
W. D. Smith to his wife, A.E. Smith:
Dear Wife,
I Seat My Self This Morning To inform you That I am well And I hope when Those few lines
comes to hand that they may find you and the baby both well and injoying the best of gods blessings.
I wood like to bee at home with you to eat some good chicken and honey and applie pie and other
good nick nacks.
I wood be glad to see you and the baby, as I cannot get letter from you any more I wood bee glad
even to here from you by word you have quit riteing to me intirely it is a hard mater for you to rite to me
I know but I wood be glad for you to get it Done by any body you can get pap to rite for you in his letters
to me or Mother. I must close for this time rite soon and fail not so no more at present.
SPECIAL SALE PRICE ON MARRIAGE BOOKS
The Davie County Marriage Books that are sold by your society are in two volumes: 1836-1900
and 1901-1959. We have an ample supply of these books after reprinting them. We are offering a very
special low price on them to our members for a short period of time. They normally sell for $25 for each
volume (plus postage), but we are offering them to you for the low price of $25 for both of them plus $6
postage; $31 total for 2 books. Men’s names are alphabetized, with a bride’s index in the back of each
book. See page 7 for order blank. This offer expires August 31.
Nancy Kelly Murphy typed these books, and I asked her to describe the process of
extracting all these names and producing volumes for sale. This is her response to me. Perhaps
you will appreciate them more, or get some ideas for a similar project that you could do.
Marie,
While researching for others, I was stymied by the lack of marriage records for Davie Co. Yes,
there were some, but only in limited cases usually family oriented. I went to Ruth Hoyle and
asked if she would contact Henry Shore, Register of Deeds for Davie County, to ask for his
permission for me to copy the original pages from the male marriage records. He granted this
and the Library provided me with the legal-size paper to use on the Deeds copier.
It took two long afternoons to take apart the books and copy each page after which I took the
pages home and started the loooong process of typing everything into my computer. The
original pages were written by hand and in many cases it was very difficult to interpret. After I
had set up a format and transcribed the records, I took the pages back to the Library where
Doris Frye and Glenna Lagle helped to proofread all I had done. Glenna also made some trips
back to the Deeds office to double check on some of the names, etc., that we had questions
about. She would have to pull the actual deed to verify names or dates.
Corrections were made and then the decision to separate the records by years as it had become
so massive. I decided on the process of taking just the female names out and indexing them as a
cross-reference to the male names and then just alphabetizing the male names in the books. This
was done separately for each book. When doing all this, I did get “tickled” at times to see that a
man took out a marriage license but did not state to whom he intended to make his wife.
With the advent of all the computerized records, I know the demand for the actual book has
diminished and I am happy that you are going to run a “special” on them. Just hope that you
are able to recoup printing and mailing costs.
If you have any further questions, just ask. Also, go ahead and edit my comments as I know they
are lengthy but I wanted you to know the whole process. In fact, please do edit!
Nancy (June 2011)
5 Places to Find Wedding Information By Mary Penner, genealogist, 09 May 2011
Online Article from Ancestry.com:
Even when all of the signs seem to indicate that a certain great-great-aunt was married, it can still be tough
trying to determine when, where, with whom and how many times she tied the knot. It’s even tougher when
marriage records are AWOL from a county courthouse or when you just don’t know where to look.
It turns out there are great sources at Ancestry.com that hold clues to past trips down the aisle. Here are
five of my favorites:
1. Census records. Marital status hints first appeared in the 1850 census when residents were asked if
they had married within the year. Census takers posed this same question in 1860, 1870 and 1880. It’s a
handy detail to have. For example, in 1860 William and Adeline Knapp were newlyweds, but a nine-year-
old boy with a different surname lived with them. Does that mean there was a previous marriage for
Adeline? (Check the 1850 census for an Adeline using the same surname as the little boy to see if you’re
onto something.) In 1900, census takers asked for the number of years married. In 1910 they clarified that
question by asking for the number of years in the present marriage. In 1930 they inquired about your
ancestors’ age at first marriage. A little math will help you determine if that was the same marriage as the
one they’re in during 1930.
2. Draft records. The military wanted to know if potential soldiers were single or married. You may land
upon a clue to a previous marriage when a draft registration from the Civil War or World War I lists a
single man with dependent children.
3. City directories and gazetteers. These forerunners of phone books are dandy sources for spotting
widows. That’s because they often noted which women were widows, and sometimes were kind enough to
include the name of the deceased husband, too.
4. Death records. Most death certificates include the deceased’s marital status; some include the spouse’s
name. Pay close attention to the informant’s name: it could be the spouse, since he or she was the one who
often provided the death certificate details.
5. Newspapers. Historical newspapers frequently chronicled the vital events of our ancestors’ lives
including engagement and marriage notices. Divorces often made the news, too. Review obituaries for
your ancestor and other family members as well –– you may learn maiden names or the name of a deceased
spouse.
CAN YOU DEFINE THESE GENEALOGY WORDS RESULTING FROM MARRIAGE?
WORD PRONUNCIATION ANSWER POSSIBLE ANSWERS
1) distaff dis’taf A) a male blood relation
2) antecedents anti seed’ents B) tracing descent through the father’s line
3) patrimony pat’ri moe nee C) tracing descent through the mother’s line
4) collateral ko lat’er al D) descent in direct line from a common ancestor
5) agnate ag’nate E) ancestors; “those who came before”
6) stirpes stirps’F) female side or branch of family
7) matrilineal mat ri lin’ee al G) relationship by marriage, not blood
8) patrilineal pat ri lin’ ee al H) offspring; descendants; children
9) kinsman kinz’ man I) anything derived from a father, such as an estate
10) lineage lin’ ee idj J) related on the male or the father’s side
11) progeny prah’ dja nee K) descended from a common ancestor, but in a
different line, such as uncle and nephew
12) affinity a fin’ i tee L) a family or branch of a family; stock
G
=
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D
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;
A
=
9
;
B
=
8
;
C
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7
;
L
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J
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K
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4
;
I
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3
;
E
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2
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F
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:
S
R
E
W
S
N
A
from Catholic Digest, July 1998, page 127
SUMMARIZING MARRIAGE RECORDS IN NORTH CAROLINA
The following information was obtained from the wonderful reference book, North Carolina
Research, edited by Helen F.M. Leary and Maurice R. Stirewalt, 1980. It is a 633 page book of
explaining the history and background of many genealogical topics. It will be difficult for you to find a
copy to buy, but perhaps your public library or history room will have a copy to use at the library. The
chapter on marriage is on pages 131-144. Author of this chapter is Raymond A. Winslow, Jr.
?Banns: The General Assembly of April, 1741, in “An Act Concerning Marriages” granted the
power of performing marriage ceremonies to every clergyman of the Church of England and to all justices
of the peace (magistrates). Before a couple could be married by either a minister of a magistrate they had
to obtain a license or publish the banns. Banns were described in the Book of Common Prayer of the
Church of England: First the Banns of all that are to be married together must be published in the
Church three several Sundays. The Curate says “I publish the banns of marriage between _____ and
_____. If any of you know cause, or just impediment, why these two persons should not be joined
together in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it.” If no objections were voiced after the third time, the
couple could be married. This was not a public record, and this information is difficult to find.
?Bonds: The marriage bond was the principal record of marriages in North Carolina from 1741 to
1868; indeed, it was the only public record prior to 1851. Not everybody in this time period who married
went through this procedure, and some of them were lost, and some counties retained theirs instead of
sending them to the NC Archives, but it is still a valuable source of possible information. Ancestry.com
has these records to be searched. LDS Family History Centers have microfiche containing these records.
You can, of course, search them at the NC Archives. An online description is found at
http://www.archives.ncdcr.gov/FindingAids/Circulars/AIC15.pdf
?Summary of Marriage information:
“The public marriage records of North Carolina fall into five categories: (1) Marriage bonds, being
a groom’s obligation to pay if he had contracted an illegal marriage, were in use from 1741-1868. (2)
Marriage licenses, containing official permission for marriages to be held, have been preserved since 1851.
In the years 1851-1868, both bonds and licenses were filed. (3) Marriage certificates, or returns, are
statements of officiating officers that marriages have taken place. They are usually printed on the same
form as the license and were first required in 1851. (4) Marriage registers contain digests of the facts given
in bonds, licenses, and certificates after about 1850. (5) Cohabitation records are not exactly marriage
records; they were used only for a short period in 1866 to legalize marital relationships begun under
slavery. There are considerable variations in marriage records from county to county, however.
“These records may be analyzed in two aspects. First, bonds and licenses preceded marriage, as
they were means by which the state determined fitness to marry and gave permission for marriage. Second,
certificates and cohabitation records followed marriage, since they provided evidence the parties had wed.
Marriage registers mix the two aspects. Only the marriage certificate provides full proof that a marriage
was solemnized and gives details about it.”
The book being compiled about World War One men from Davie County is progressing. If you have
photos, memories of conversations, memorabilia, etc. please notify Marie Roth, 336.751.5212 or
MarieBCR@gmail.com.
Just Folks
I am like him, so they say,
Who was dead before I came.
Cheeks and mouth and eyes of gray
Have been fashioned much the same.
I am like her, so they say,
Who was dead ere I was born,
And I walk the self-same way
On the paths her feet have worn.
There is that within my face
And the way I hold my head
Which seems strangely to replace
Those who long have joined the dead.
Thus across the distance far
In the body housing me
Both my great-grandparents are
Kept alive in memory. Edgar A. Guest 1934
ORDERING ITEMS AND/OR PAYING DUES. (Out of state residents don’t pay state tax when ordering.)
Title Author non- NC NC res.No.Cost
BOOKS:
Davie County...A Brief History,
paperback
James W. Wall, 128 pages $9.00 $9.39
The Boone Families in Davie County Wall, Howell Boone, and Flossie Martin $8.00 $8.31
Davie County Marriages 1836-1900 Nancy K. Murphy ---sale price until 8/30 $15.50 $15.50
Davie County Marriages 1901-1959 Nancy K. Murphy —sale price until 8/30 $15.50 $15.50
Davie County Cemeteries, a 2-volume set D.C. Historical/Gen. Soc. $55.00 $58.88
1860 Federal Census-Davie County Nancy K. Murphy and Everette Sain $20.00 $21.16
1870 Federal Census-Davie County Nancy K. Murphy and Everette Sain $20.00 $21.16
1880 Federal Census-Davie County Nancy K. Murphy and Everette Sain $20.00 $21.16
MAPS OF DAVIE COUNTY:
Lagle Land Grant $8.00 $8.31
Hughes Historical, 1700's, drawn in 1977 $8.00 $8.31
J.T. Alderman, 1887 $6.00 $6.47
Wilson F. Merrell, 1928 NEW !$6.00 $6.47
POSTCARDS OF DAVIE CO. SCENES (set of 8)$2.50 $2.50
CD of all issues Davie Dossier since 1987 $7.00 $7.39
TOTAL NUMBER AND COST
Make check to DCHGS and send to address at bottom of page. Prices include tax, postage, and handling.
Davie County Heritage Book, non-NC resident cost is $45; NC resident cost is $48.10. Make check to Davie County Heritage
Book. Use DCHGS address below.
The Historic Architecture of Davie Co.,non-NC resident cost is $30; NC resident cost is $31.94.
History of Davie County, hardback, by James W. Wall, 449 pages; non-NC resident cost is $30; NC resident cost is $31.94.
Make check to Davie County Public Library. Use DCHGS address below.
The Civil War Roster of Davie County by Mary Alice Miller Hasty and Hazel Miller Winfree incorporates biographical and
military service sketches of 1,147 Davie County Civil War veterans. Non-NC resident cost is $60. NC resident cost is $64.26.
Checks should be made out to M & M Books and sent to Mary Alice Hasty, 105 East Brick Walk Court, Mocksville NC 27028.
Images of America, Davie County by Debra Dotson and Jane McAllister. 128 page book of old photos and descriptions. Order
from Jane McAllister, DCPL, 371 N. Main St., Mocksville NC 27028. Make check to Jane McAllister. Non-NC resident cost is
$26.99. NC resident cost is $28.69. Images of America, Mocksville by Debra Dotson and Jane McAllister. Book 2 by these
authors features photographs with details in Mocksville and a few other Davie communities. The same ordering information
applies as listed for book one.
Looking Back at Davie County in the1950s and 1960s by Charles Crenshaw and Ron Smith. This 304 page book of 700
photographs taken by Ron’s father, Gray Smith, will bring back memories of people and places in Davie County. The book is
$38 (tax included) and postage is $4 more. Mail orders to Charles Crenshaw, 421 Park Avenue, Mocksville NC 27028.
History of Davie County Schools, 318 pages, by Marie Benge Craig Roth has photos, locations, and names of students and
teachers of schools. Most of the 149 schools are listed with latitude and longitude. There is an 18 page index of 3,222 names. A
chronology describes the evolution of the school system in Davie. Genealogists & historians will want to check the index. Make
check to Marie Roth for $40.26 for non-residents and $43 for NC resident.Mail to 276 Park Avenue, Mocksville NC 27028.
MEMBERSHIP for a calendar year is still just $5.00/year. Life Membership is $100 per person. We are 501(c)(3) and dues are
tax deductible. Below is a registration form for your use; checks, payable to the Society.
DAVIE COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (DCHGS)
Davie County Public Library
371 Main Street
Mocksville, North Carolina 27028
NAME _____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________
371 North Main Street
Mocksville NC
27028
Summer Workshop
The North Carolina Genealogical Society and the Moore County Genealogical Society will present Gathering,Organizing, and
Sharing Your Family History on Saturday, 13 August 2011, at the Hampton Inn––Southern Pines/Pinehurst in Aberdeen, North
Carolina.
Does your genealogy research need help? Are you looking for the next place to find inform`ation but do not know where to look?
Pamela Boyer Sayre will share sources for your research that you might not have overlooked. The clues are there and she will
help you find them.
What is your next step? How should you organize those piles of notes and boxes of paper? Organizing records can be easy
if you know some basic information about digitizing and use simple ways to electronically file your research. Then, with your
files organized, Pamela will tell you how to share your research, your stories, and your family history that you have so diligently
gathered.
Complete details about the talks, the speaker, and the registration information are available at
http://www.ncgenealogy.org/images/stories/events/2011/aberdeenregform.pdf
September 7-10,Federation of Genealogical Societies at Springfield, IL. Theme is “Pathways to the Heartland”. www.fgs.org
/2011conference/index.php