From Hyde County Historical and Genealogical Society

The Hyde County Historical and Genealogical Society held its spring meeting May 21, at the Engelhard Baptist Church.

More than 50 members and friends attended the meeting, which featured as speaker Tama Creef, archivist at the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo. The center is a regional archives and research library administered by the State Archives of North Carolina. In her presentation, Creef spoke of the varied resources available at the Manteo location for anyone doing research in history and genealogy of eastern North Carolina.

The collections there include photographs, books, a map collection dating from 1584, shipwreck records, locally published publications and oral histories, among other resource materials.

Society President Linda Mayo conducted the afternoon meeting, which began with all singing, “America the Beautiful,” accompanied by Judy Tomlinson, pianist. Sophia Jarvis, secretary, read the minutes of the fall 2016 meeting. Clare Baum, treasurer, gave a treasurer’s report and commented on the society’s recent participation in the National Genealogy Conference held in Raleigh.

A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a plaque showing the society’s appreciation to longtime member Ellen Amedon Williams. Betty S. Mann, who spent many hours working with Williams on various society projects and publications through the years, made the presentation and spoke highly of her expertise and dedication to everything she undertook.

R.S. Spencer Jr. mentioned the society’s publications, which were available at the meeting and focused on the two recent publications: “Olde Wickham: Little Kingdom by the Sea,” a comprehensive history of Hyde County by Richard Lupton, and “Early Hyde County, North Carolina Marriage Records: 1735-1899,” edited by Linda Gray Mayo. Those books, along with the spring 2017 issue of the society’s journal, “High Tides,” which focuses on the John McGowan papers, are available from R.S. Spencer Inc. in Engelhard. For information, call 252-542-0000.

The meeting ended as everyone sang, “Blest Be the Tie,” and then enjoyed a bountiful spread of refreshments provided by the Engelhard Baptist Church.

The Hyde County Historical and Genealogical Society’s mission is to preserve and record the history of Hyde County and its people. To that end, the society holds spring and fall meetings in different parts of the county and publishes an edition of its historical and genealogical journal, “High Tides,” twice a year. New members are always welcome. For information, contact the society at P.O. Box 517, Engelhard, N.C. 27824, or online at www.genweb.us/hyde/HYDE.HTM.