North Carolina Societies

Genealogical, historical, lineage, veteran, and ethnic societies often collect, transcribe, and publish information that can be helpful to genealogists.

Genealogical and historical societies can provide historical information about families in the area or ancestors of society members. North Carolina genealogical societies include:

The North Carolina Genealogical Society PO Box 1492 Raleigh, NC 27602-1492 Internet: http://ncgenealogy.org

The society publishes the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal described in the "Periodicals" section and sponsors programs to promote genealogy.

A listing of major genealogical and historical societies in North Carolina can be found in:

North Carolina Genealogical Societies. In North Carolina Genealogical Resources on the Internet ''[database on-line]. Raleigh, North Carolina: State Library of North Carolina, 5 January 2007 [cited 26 December 2007]. Available at:

http://statelibrary.dcr.state.nc.us/iss/gr/NCSource.htm#Societies

This page links you to the Internet sites of the state and several county genealogical societies It also lists mailing addresses of county societies.

Spencer, Romulus Sanderson. The North Carolina Genealogical Directory: A Listing of Tar Heel Societies and Selected Books for Sale. Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina Genealogical Society, 1992. (Family History Library book 975.6 C44s.)

Lineage societies, such as the DAR, Colonial Dames, and Sons of the American Revolution, require members to prove they are descended from certain people such as colonists or soldiers. The applications for membership in these societies are usually preserved and occasionally published. National lineage societies such as the DAR are described in the "Societies" section of the United States Research Outline.

Family associations and surname societies have been organized to gather information about ancestors or descendants of specific individuals or families. See the "Societies" section of the United States Research Outline for a directory and more information about these societies.

Clubs or occupational or fraternal organizations may have existed in the area where your ancestor lived. Those societies may have kept records of members or applications that may be of genealogical or biographical value. Though many of the old records have been lost, some have been donated to local, regional, or state archives and libraries. The United Confederate Veterans is an example of an organization an ancestor may have joined. See the "Military Records" section discussion of their records.

Public librarians and county clerks may be aware of other local organizations or individuals you can contact for information and services. In many small communities, the elderly are a wonderful resource for history and memories. Some maintain scrapbooks of obituaries and events in the community.

Societies’ records can be found in the Family History Library Catalog by using a Place Search under:

NORTH CAROLINA- SOCIETIES

NORTH CAROLINA, [COUNTY]- SOCIETIES