I began working on my family history when I was in 8th grade. We had a project in class to create a small family tree. I talked with my Granny Doris and she told me to go see her sister, Aunt Diccie, as she kept the family history. I went to see her one Sunday afternoon, and she gave me information on the Dunn family that told of a Thomas Dunn who came to America in the 1620s as a 16 year-old stowaway on a ship from Ireland. I was hooked! [I’ve also been unable to verify our link to that Thomas Dunn.]
I read almost every genealogy how-to book that the local library had, and was there almost every Saturday, looking through microfilm and reading dusty tomes in the locked case room. Then on Sunday, I would share my results with Aunt Diccie. History became my favorite subject in High School, thanks to Genealogy and to Mr. Burkette, my History teacher. I decided to major in History in college. I received a BA in History from Mount Olive College (now University of Mount Olive), and went on to study for a Master’s in History at East Carolina.
As I neared finishing my MA degree, I was hired at the New Bern-Craven County Public Library as a part-time Reference Assistant, spending most of my time in the newly created Kellenberger Room. I was told by the director, if I got my Master’s in Library Science, I could get more pay, so I changed majors and graduated East Carolina University with my Master in Library Science degree. I have been working at the New Bern-Craven County Public Library as their Special Collections (Local History and Genealogy) Librarian since then, and in my spare time, I still work on my family history.
This blog is created as an outlet to talk through my research problems (my “Lost Crusade”)…the name “Genealogy Jones” came from a co-worker who sent a patron back to see “Genealogy Jones” in the Kellenberger Room.
Thank you for this excellent source of family history and your unwavering dedication to the research. I am a Whitford that was moved away from family as a child to Texas and so I didnt get to know my Whitford heritage much. Im only now re-connecting with them and through your research, I have met some additional Whitfords previously unknown to me and have been curious to see how they are related. My grandfather was Larry – one who helped compile the original 1971 works. I found that reference book in Vanceboro NC and have been hooked since.
Glad that you have found the site helpful. If I can assist further, just let me know. I have more in my files than what I have put online.
My children are members of the Whitford Family. However, the on-line reference to their grandfather stops with their grandfather. It does not reference his marriage to their grandmother nor the birth of their father and aunt (who are also Whitford descendants).
David R. Whitford, 8 Aug 1764-1847 is their 4th greatgrandfather. His daughter Sina Whitford is their 3rd greatgrandmother. Her daughter Mary Ann Ipock is their 2nd greatgrandmother. Her son McDuffy Spruill is their greatgrandfather. His son Jack Leslie Spruill is their grandfather. His son Charles Albert Spruill is their father.
I can provide you with documentation of Jack Leslie Spruill’s marriage to Mary Alice Powles as well as documentation of his marriage to Myrtle Lee Whitford if that will get this entry corrected.
Ms. Truitt, Please send the information to my e-mail vtjonesjr@tolergenealogy.com. I’ll double check it with my database. It seems I have some information on the family already there. I think it didn’t get to the website because the “living” tag for Mary Alice was ?. I have changed that to N. I am on vacation this coming week, so will try to update the Whitford site during my vacation. It’s been several years since I have done that, as I mostly research the Toler family.
Hi,
I was so excited to find your page! I am the grand daughter of Naomi Purifoy Rowe. I’ve always wondered about our family’s history. I’m thrilled to read through your blog and join you on your journey!
Do you have any recommendations for free online resources I can use to research with? My Google search sends me to a lot of paid sites or things that have a lot of adverts. : (
Thank you!
Susan, Glad you have found the site and hope you find it useful. There are a number of free sites to use for research, the main one being familysearch.org. You have to create a free account to log-in, but much of the site is free to use. There are some images you cannot view unless you are at either an affiliate library or at a family history center at a local LDS church.
The National Genealogical Society has a list of 18 sites for free use at https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/free-resources/websites/.
For North Carolina research try DigitalNC at https://digitalnc.org or the NC Archives Digital Collections at https://digital.ncdcr.gov/.
I hope these help you with your research!
–Victor