Beaufort County

Genealogical Society

                                                                                 PO Box 1089

                                                                                      Washington, NC  27889-1089

BEAUFORT COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY

            The Beaufort County Genealogical Society met on 4-1-2008 at Brown Library.  At 7:00 p.m. President Jean Gurkin welcomed 16 members and guests.  Guest Jackie Boyd is researching Narcissus Ellen Waters who married John Silverthorne.  She just recently located her on the 1880 Edgecombe County census at the age of 9.  New starting points are always helpful.

                Terria Baynor motioned, Zelma Singleton seconded to accept the minutes of the last meeting as read.

                The treasurer’s report was given.  In Mary Disharoon’s absence, Louise Cowell related that Mary’s son, Bob, was laid to rest in the Arlington National Cemetery at 11:00a.m. today (4-1-08).  She read a note from Mary thanking members for kind words, cards and letters.  Louise mentioned a website has been created by one of Bob’s friends collecting and presenting sentiments of people who knew Bob well:  www.bobdisharoon.com.

OLD BUSINESS: 

                Cemetery Book report:  Terria Baynor reported she “lost” 2 computers consequently losing all the work       she’d done on the book she was putting together.  She has ordered an APPLE with the Unix System and        hardware which doesn’t get viruses.  She’ll begin again. 

                Bible records:  Jean had spoken with Evelyn Cutler who said the project is continuing slowly. 

                Schools project:  Jean had additional pictures and information to be considered for the project. 

                No report on the Weyerhauser project.

                Jean initiated discussion about the Black Bottom Cemetery featured in the 3-28-08 WDN.  Willene Brinn said she had contacted Marie Whitaker who told her they are contacting funeral homes in an effort to identify as many persons buried there as is possible.  As mentioned in the 3-28 article, the town is working with the N.C. Department of Archives and History to assist in the restoration and training of locals to handle the remains of those buried there.  Once mapping and restoration are completed to the greatest extent possible the town of Belhaven will maintain the cemetery.  Thank you, Mayor O’Neal.  As a personal note, Willene mentioned that “Little Eva” whose song “Locomotion” was a #1 hit in the 1960’s is buried there. 

                The proposed amendment to the BCGS by-laws was read and voted on.  All 15 members present voted to accept the amendment as read.  It will be published in the June Journal. 

                The trip to Archives proposed for 5-3-08 has been cancelled and rescheduled for 5-31-08.  13 members signed up to go.  Louise, Willene, Ann and Russell Tyson have agreed to drive. 

                Articles and/or pictures for the June Journal should be in Louise’s hand by 1 May. 

NEW BUSINESS:

                Ann and Louise have begun preliminary work on the John Oden History Awards for 2008.  There is still       one school that hasn’t reported its winner for 2007. 

                Willene introduced the program for the evening.  Each person present gave the names they are researching and any “brick wall” they might have encountered.  Willene’s Cuthrell ancestor was a shipbuilder but she’s stuck on finding his parents.  Shelia Cantine mentioned she should seek out Peter Wilson Coldham’s  Complete Book of Emmigrants 1607-1776.  It lists many ships and their cargo/personnel/travelers to the “new world”.  There are 3 copies of it in the New Bern Library.  Jimmy Taylor mentioned he and they Tysons have located the mill area in connection with his Boyd family history but haven’t located any evidence of gravesites.  Other suggestions were made as each person spoke providing additional information and resource materials for research.

                The next regular meeting will be on 6 May 2008.  The next Board meeting will be at 6 p.m. on 3 June 2008 prior to the regular meeting. 

                Willene motioned, Shelia seconded to adjourn at 8:45 p.m.

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Vernetta Lange