Carrboro celebration draws geneology enthusiasts

Dozens of locals got a chance to learn a bit about their families' history -- and themselves -- in Carrboro on Saturday.

The Durham-Orange Genealogical Society held its third annual Olde Orange County Family History Day at Carrboro's Century Center as part of Family History Month.

D-OGS Vice President Richard Ellington said a crowd of about 200 attended throughout the day. The Durham-based society also invited about 45 area genealogical groups to attend.

"I love coming to this event. You meet some very interesting people," said Evans McKinney of the Orange County Historical Museum, one of the groups in attendance.

D-OGS held last year's event in Hillsborough but worked with the Carrboro Parks and Recreation Department to hold this year's event in the Century Center, which could accommodate a larger crowd, said President Paul Hollinghurst.

"We felt an event like this would encompass a lot more people," he said. "We're drawing a lot more people."

Ellington added that while last year's Family History Day "was a big success, this year we wanted to look at something bigger."

The event was aimed at raising interest in local genealogical groups and promoting Family History Month, designated for the month of October by U.S. Congress.

"We want to make people aware of genealogical opportunities available in the area," said Fred Mowry, a member of D-OGS.

Various booths provided censuses, death certificates, marriage records and other materials to event-goers. Some set up computers with Internet access.

"People will come in with a slight idea of what they want to find out," McKinney said. "We do pretty much whatever we can to help."

Several of the groups in attendance Saturday represented the "Olde" in Olde Orange County.

Originally formed in 1752, Orange County spawned several new counties throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Genealogical societies from Alamance, Chatham, Randolph and about five other counties were in attendance.

"It's amazing to go back to pictures made 150 years ago," said Robert Hill, a member of the Randolph County Genealogical Society. "You have a family picture, and you find that they look like you."

One family has even started an organization of its own.

"Our organization started 20 years ago in Utah," said Linda Allred Cooper, a professional genealogist and a member of the Allred Family Organization. "We decided to get together and trace our roots."

The family was the only one to have its own booth at the event.

Allred said the Utah-based family members traced their lineage back to Randolph County. The local component of the organization currently is researching local cemeteries.

Overall, the groups in attendance at the event hoped to spark community interest in family history, which, Ellington said, is the most popular hobby in the United States.

"Genealogy helps you make a connection and have family ties," Hill said. "It helps you to know who you are."

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.