BEST FREE ancestry website since 1999 - History belongs to all of us!
Add YOUR Family To This Page
History of North Carolina, USA
Journey back in time to North Carolina, USA
Visit North Carolina, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.




Do You Have North Carolina Roots? Share Your Ancestral Story!

North Carolina is the largest producer of sweet potatoes in the nation.
The first English colony in America was located on Roanoke Island. Walter Raleigh founded it. The colony mysteriously vanished with no trace except for the word "Croatoan" scrawled on a nearby tree.
Many people believe that North Carolina was the first state to declare independence from England with the Mecklenburg Declaration of 1775.
North Carolina leads the nation in furniture, tobacco, brick, and textile production.
50states.com
"King Charles II of England, who granted a charter to start a colony in modern-day North Carolina, named the land in honor of his father, Charles I. Carolina comes from Carolus, the Latin form of Charles." mentalfloss.com
There is MUCH more to discover about North Carolina, USA. Read on!
North Carolina Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards

North Carolina, USA
Wikipedia

Flag of North Carolina
Adopted March 9, 1885, modified in 1991
It bears the dates of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (May 20, 1775) and of the Halifax Resolves (April 12, 1776), documents that place North Carolina at the forefront of the American independence movement.
Discover North Carolina: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1587 - First English colony in North America is established in North Carolina, at Roanoke
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996
1705 - First town in North Carolina, Bath, was built
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
1709 - September 3 - 1st major group of Swiss/German colonists reaches NC/SC
www.onthisday.com
www.onthisday.com
1752 - October 1 - The second severe hurricane in two weeks hit the Carolinas. The Onslow County Courthouse was destroyed along with all its records, and Beacon Island (NC) disappeared.
WeatherForYou.com
October 1, 1752
WeatherForYou.com
October 1, 1752
1776 - North Carolina first state to vote for independence
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
1789 - North Carolina admitted to Union as 12th state; University of North Carolina received charter, first public school in U. S.
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
1846 - March 2 - A great storm hit Virginia and the Carolinas. The storm caused half a million dollars damage, and in North Carolina drowned fifty families and a thousand cattle on Notts Island.
WeatherForYou.com
March 2, 1846
WeatherForYou.com
March 2, 1846
1853 - First North Carolina state fair held
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
1861 - May 20 - North Carolina left Union, voted to "undo" the act that had brought it into the United States, rather than secede
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
1862 - December 30 – The USS Monitor sinks in storm in the Atlantic off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
wikipedia.org
December 30, 1862
wikipedia.org
December 30, 1862
1877 - April 9 - Oregon Inlet, NC, was widened three quarters of a mile by a nor'easter.
WeatherForYou.com
April 9, 1877
WeatherForYou.com
April 9, 1877
1878 - To Girls
Never marry a man who has only his love for you to recommend him. It is very fascinating, but it does not make the man. - If he is not other-wise what he should be, you will never be happy. The most perfect man who did not love you should never be your husband. But though marriage without love is terrible, love only will not do. If the man is dishonorable to other men, or mean, or given to any vice, the time will come when you will either loathe him or sink to his level. It is hard to remember, amidst kisses and praises, that there is anything else in the world to be done or thought of but love-making; but the days of life are many, and the husband must be trusted - a companion, a friend, as well as a lover. Many a girl has married a man whom she knew to be anything but good, "because he loved her so." And the flame has died out on the hearthstone of home before long, and beside it there has been silting one that she could never hope would lead her heavenward or - who, if she... Read MORE...
Never marry a man who has only his love for you to recommend him. It is very fascinating, but it does not make the man. - If he is not other-wise what he should be, you will never be happy. The most perfect man who did not love you should never be your husband. But though marriage without love is terrible, love only will not do. If the man is dishonorable to other men, or mean, or given to any vice, the time will come when you will either loathe him or sink to his level. It is hard to remember, amidst kisses and praises, that there is anything else in the world to be done or thought of but love-making; but the days of life are many, and the husband must be trusted - a companion, a friend, as well as a lover. Many a girl has married a man whom she knew to be anything but good, "because he loved her so." And the flame has died out on the hearthstone of home before long, and beside it there has been silting one that she could never hope would lead her heavenward or - who, if she... Read MORE...
February 19, 1884 - Severe thunderstorms spawned sixty tornadoes in the southeastern U.S., killing more than 420 persons and causing three million dollars damage. Georgia and the Carolinas hardest were hit in the tornado outbreak.
WeatherForYou.com
WeatherForYou.com
1895 - North Carolina
North Carolina, kār-o-li'na, a southern Atlantic state of the American Union, of which it was one of the original thirteen members, bounded N. by Virginia, E. and S.E. by the Atlantic, S. by South Carolina and Georgia, and W. by Tennessee. It lies between 33° 53' and 36° 33' N. lat. and 75°25' and 84° 30' W. lon. Its greatest length, E. and W., is 490 miles; extreme breadth, 185 miles; area, 52,250 square miles...
History.-In 1585 and 1586 Raleigh planted colonies upon Roanoke Island, but the first permanent settlements were made by Virginians near the northern border. In 1663 the province of Carolina was granted by Charles II. The philosopher Locke devised for it a fantastical form of government, with an aristocracy of landgraves and caciques, and for twenty-five years this form of government was to some extent maintained. This part of Carolina was then called Albemarle. Some of the Indian tribes (Corees, Tus caroras, Nottoways, &c., principally of Iroquois stock) attacked the... Read MORE...
North Carolina, kār-o-li'na, a southern Atlantic state of the American Union, of which it was one of the original thirteen members, bounded N. by Virginia, E. and S.E. by the Atlantic, S. by South Carolina and Georgia, and W. by Tennessee. It lies between 33° 53' and 36° 33' N. lat. and 75°25' and 84° 30' W. lon. Its greatest length, E. and W., is 490 miles; extreme breadth, 185 miles; area, 52,250 square miles...
History.-In 1585 and 1586 Raleigh planted colonies upon Roanoke Island, but the first permanent settlements were made by Virginians near the northern border. In 1663 the province of Carolina was granted by Charles II. The philosopher Locke devised for it a fantastical form of government, with an aristocracy of landgraves and caciques, and for twenty-five years this form of government was to some extent maintained. This part of Carolina was then called Albemarle. Some of the Indian tribes (Corees, Tus caroras, Nottoways, &c., principally of Iroquois stock) attacked the... Read MORE...
1899 - August 17 – A Hurricane San Ciriaco makes landfall in North Carolina's Outer Banks, completely destroying the town of Diamond City.
wikipedia.org
August 17, 1899
wikipedia.org
August 17, 1899
1903 - December 17 – Orville Wright flies an aircraft with a petrol engine at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina in the first documented, successful, controlled, powered, heavier-than-air flight.
THE MACHINE ACTUALLY FLIES
Successful Trial of Kitty Hawk, N.C., of Wright Brother's Invention.
NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 18. - A successful trial of a flying machine was made yesterday near Kitty Hawk, N. C., by Wilbur and Orville Wright, of Dayton, Ohio. The machine flew for three miles in the face of a wind blowing at the registered velocity of 21 miles and hour and then gracefully descended to earth at the spot selected by the man in the navigator's car as a suitable landing place. The machine has no balloon attachment but gets it force from propellors worked by a small engine.
Preparatory to its flight the machine was placed upon a platform near Kitty Hawk. This platform was built on a high sand hill and when all was in readiness the fastenings to the machine were released and it started down an incline. The navigator, Wilbur Wright then started a small gasoline engine which worked the propellors. When the end of the incline was reached the machine gradually arose until it... Read MORE...
THE MACHINE ACTUALLY FLIES
Successful Trial of Kitty Hawk, N.C., of Wright Brother's Invention.
NORFOLK, Va., Dec. 18. - A successful trial of a flying machine was made yesterday near Kitty Hawk, N. C., by Wilbur and Orville Wright, of Dayton, Ohio. The machine flew for three miles in the face of a wind blowing at the registered velocity of 21 miles and hour and then gracefully descended to earth at the spot selected by the man in the navigator's car as a suitable landing place. The machine has no balloon attachment but gets it force from propellors worked by a small engine.
Preparatory to its flight the machine was placed upon a platform near Kitty Hawk. This platform was built on a high sand hill and when all was in readiness the fastenings to the machine were released and it started down an incline. The navigator, Wilbur Wright then started a small gasoline engine which worked the propellors. When the end of the incline was reached the machine gradually arose until it... Read MORE...
1954 - Hurricane Hazel struck, 19 people killed, several hundred injured, 15,000 homes destroyed
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ nctimeln.htm
2023 - North Carolina has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Tar Heel State:
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains: Head to the western part of the state to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can hike, camp, or simply take in the breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains.
Visit Asheville: This charming city in the mountains is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and the Biltmore Estate, America's largest home. Don't forget to explore the local breweries and enjoy the live music scene.
Relax on the Outer Banks: These barrier islands along the coast are a paradise for beach lovers. You can also explore historic lighthouses, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and go hang gliding.
Discover the Research Triangle: The cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the Research Triangle, a hub of education and technology. Explore the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Durham Bulls baseball team, and the beautiful campus of the University of North Carolina.
Experience the Blue Ridge Parkway: Often called... Read MORE...
Explore the Great Smoky Mountains: Head to the western part of the state to visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park. You can hike, camp, or simply take in the breathtaking views of the Appalachian Mountains.
Visit Asheville: This charming city in the mountains is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and the Biltmore Estate, America's largest home. Don't forget to explore the local breweries and enjoy the live music scene.
Relax on the Outer Banks: These barrier islands along the coast are a paradise for beach lovers. You can also explore historic lighthouses, visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and go hang gliding.
Discover the Research Triangle: The cities of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill make up the Research Triangle, a hub of education and technology. Explore the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Durham Bulls baseball team, and the beautiful campus of the University of North Carolina.
Experience the Blue Ridge Parkway: Often called... Read MORE...
Our North Carolina Gift Ideas
Discover Your Roots: North Carolina Ancestry
Not the place you are looking for? Try again!
HOTELS.COM - Save 10% - 30% on your next escape!
Search for Your Family by Place
HOTELS.COM - Save 10% - 30% on your next escape!
Ancestry Family Tree Search
Search for Your Family by Name
NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.Updated: 9/18/2023 6:39:58 PM