Not sure why you should attend? Here are some good reasons why you will want to attend a Tar Heel Discoveries program and visit the program’s home, the North Carolina State Archives and Government & Heritage Library!
Reasons to Attend a Tar Heel Discoveries Program
- Have you ever been frustrated when visiting a new research facility (or one you haven’t been to in a while) by not knowing how to find, request and obtain document copies?
- Would you like to touch 18th & 19th century original records about your ancestors?
- Do you struggle with efficiently consulting voluminous record collections?
- Are you interested in learning from experts on North Carolina history and various genealogical research topics?
- When you find a record on your ancestor, do you ever wonder how to best interpret the context and meaning of the found reference? Or wonder what might be the best “next steps” in your research?
- Would you enjoy access to instructional material on effectively preparing for a visit to the Government & Heritage Library and the State Archives of North Carolina?
- Do you wish you had a “research buddy” to exchange ideas and share new discoveries?
- Need to delve into unconventional records because you’ve come to a “brick wall” and don’t know how or which ones to consult?
- Want to pick the brains of two experienced professional researchers at their “office away from home” with hands-on guidance to increase the efficiency and potential for your successful research discoveries?
- Seeking a gift for a genealogist in your family?
Reasons to Research at the NC State Archives/Government & Heritage Library
Here are just a few of the reasons why we think you should!
- The NC State Archives holds original records for ALL North Carolina counties (both current and extinct).
- The repository holds virtually all surviving genealogically relevant county-level records created prior to 1900.
- Deed records often retained at the county level are available on microfilm.
- Raleigh has a large British and English record collection relating to North Carolina and its citizens to help document pre-1800 ancestors.
- Extensive Audiovisual and Private Manuscript collections are available to consult.
- Original records are pulled as requested until a half-hour before closing.
- The Government & Heritage Library has extensive book, journal, and newspaper holdings related to North Carolina genealogy, government, history and more – as well as additional material relating to neighboring states, military and religious history, and colonial subject matter (17th & 18th centuries).
- Part of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), the Government & Heritage Library also holds U.S. federal government publications.
- Other materials held relate to Military records (Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, and other conflicts).
And did we mention the wonderful staff? The archivists and librarians in Raleigh are some of the most knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly people you will ever meet!
We consider 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh, NC, which houses these two wonderful resources, as our “office away from home” and know that you will find it an excellent place to do research. Please join us as we share much of what we know to help your research trip to North Carolina be successful!
"Vickie made an excellent report -- meticulously documented and attractively presented -- about some family history research she did for me recently. She looked high and low for the information I hoped to uncover, and she didn't stop with the obvious sources ... I look forward to working with her again."
Diane did exactly as requested and went out of her way to achieve my goals. She found the records I was looking for that had been misfiled. She also found many other records that have enriched my genealogy...I could not be happier...