Genealogy

Abstract

The Alexander and Sample families are two well known and documented families in the Charlotte and Mecklenburg County area. This collection follows certain genealogical lines within these two families. Collection materials include correspondence and genealogical research dated c1958-c1961.

Abstract Bonnie Alice Austin was born to James A. and Wilma Duncan Austin on May 27, 1896 in Union County, North Carolina. She married George Henry Petteway on November 23, 1914, but later divorced. Bonnie and George had three daughters: Martha, Mary, and Jean. Bonnie Austin Petteway accumulated a wealth of genealogical information on a variety of families in and around Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Some of the more heavily documented families included in her notes are: Shelby, Stevenson,...

Abstract

This collection contains documents that cover Mrs. Cornelia Beery Fore’s (Mrs. J.A. Fore) work as the historian for the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It consists primarily of historical research and collected testimonies pertaining to the United States Civil War as well as genealogical research into Fore’s own lineage. Included as well are letters and other documents from the life of her daughter, Ms. Cornelia (Cornie) Fore. Materials are dated 1864-1944 and are in good condition.

Abstract The Hood Family Bible was given to Lester Alexander Puckett (of Puckett’s Meats) and Alice Goodrum Puckett by Raymond V. Hood Sr. and Pauline Jane Puckett. Lester Alexander Puckett was the son of James Puckett and Violet Davidson Alexander, Violet being the great-granddaughter of John McKnitt Alexander. Dates of birth, marriage, and death may be found in the Bible. Other miscellaneous genealogical information is found in this collection as well, but through newspaper clippings and other...

Abstract Nicholas Biddle Gibbon (1837-1917) was born on November 28, 1837 to Dr. John Heysham and Catharine Lardner Gibbon. He was one of ten children. The family resided in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, until 1837, when John became assayer in the U.S. Branch Mint in Charlotte, North Carolina. Nicholas married Harriet Alexander in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, in 1870, and they settled near Derita. Nicholas was a farmer, justice of the peace, and member of the General Assembly of North Carolina...

Abstract Hoyt R. Galvin (1911-1995) grew up in Iowa. He was educated at Simpson College and the University of Illinois and went on to pursue a long and influential career in librarianship. He developed particular authority and influence as an expert on library building programs. Galvin served as director of the Charlotte Public Library from 1940 to 1970 and was also active in civic affairs in Charlotte, North Carolina. Following his retirement from the Charlotte Public Library, Galvin continued to be...

Abstract John Price Carr was born in November 1854 in the Hopewell community. Carr’s father died while he was still young, and he left school to help support his family. Carr quickly rose to become a leader in the First Ward community, owned a thriving moving company, and helped rescue Presbyterian Hospital following a devastating fire. Carr died from pneumonia in April 1927. His home, built in 1904 and known as the J.P. Carr house, can be seen at 200-206 North McDowell Street in Charlotte. ...

Abstract The Hunter and Ranson families were two of the earliest families who settled in what was originally known as “Craighead.” In 1873, the town was renamed “Huntersville” for the Hunter family. These two families would join together through the 1890 marriage of William Joseph Ranson and Ellen Viola Hunter. The Ranson and Hunter families continued to influence the development of the Huntersville community throughout the 20th Century. The children of William and Ellen went on to serve their...

Abstract Walter Wilford Kale (1897-1983) was born in Cleveland County, NC and moved to Charlotte with his family at a young age. In 1925, he partnered with his brother, Walker, and A.J. Lawing to form the Kale-Lawing Company. Their company sold office supply products from its storefront on 227 South Tryon Street until the 1980s. The papers in this collection include financial and business records, correspondence, genealogical information, photographs, awards, and records relating to the...

Abstract The Wilkes-Smedberg Papers is a collection of letters sent to and from John “Jack” Wilkes (1827-1908) and his wife, Jane “Jeanie” Renwick Smedberg Wilkes (1827-1913). Through family connections they were related to some of New York City’s most prominent families, including the Jeffreys, Wilkes, Auchincloss, Brevoort, Irving, among many others. Jeanie is well-known for her efforts in fundraising for St. Peter's Hospital (for the white community), and Good Samaritan Hospital (for the Black...

Content Description This collection contains materials relating to the Wyche Family. Collection materials are dated 1714-1956, with 1714 as an outlier and a bulk of the materials from the early to mid-20th century. Materials are arranged in 11 series:Series 1: Manuscripts, include biographical sketches of members of the Wyche and Tillett families, lineage, and obituaries.Series 2: Birth and Death Dates, include birth and death dates for members of the Wyche family. These documents...