This compilation index covers the NCGS Journal from 1975 through 2016, with 337,311 names. To reduce file size, the master index is broken into name groupings, with access to each from the below listed links.
Tips
- Each discrete list is a PDF file, which should open in your browser window.
- It is important to note that names of groups are also included. For example, reference to Quakers may be found in the “Q” list.
- Partial, unknown or uncertain surnames are indexed together in the list called “Partial or Unknown.” Partial names with the beginning letters unknown, e.g., “[__]ades, Wm.”, will be found in this list, following those with completely unknown last names.
- Indexed military units are in two lists – “Numbered”, e.g., 1st Regt (NC), and “Non-numbered”, e.g., “Catawba Boys” or “Rowan Militia”. Non-numbered military units will also typically be found in the Ancestral Names list.
Use of the Asterisk *
An asterisk following a name denotes a black or mulatto as shown in the records.
Researchers will have to look in the original Volume/Issue to see whether the person was slave or free, and if the surname given was that of a slave owner. It is important to note that the custom of using the asterisk is not consistent over the years – lack of an asterisk does not necessarily mean the person named was strictly Caucasian.
Special Characters and Alphabetization
A simple last name with no first name always comes at the top of the list.
Royalty will generally be listed by their given name, e.g., “Edward I”
Special characters, such as an asterisk or apostrophe, will affect the alphabetization, and therefore the order, of names on the list. Square brackets, parentheses and question marks are used to denote a ‘best guess,’ as in the name “W[ill]iams, Samuel.” These characters cause the name to appear above its expected alphabetical location. Some partial names will be at the top of the first list in an alphabetical group. For example, in the first list of the “G” names the first complete name is “Gabard”, but the very first name on the list is “G[r]addy”. Researchers should always check the list that begins an alphabetical group for partial names.
What is essentially the same name may appear in different lists. For example, “Garrett” and “Garritt” will not be in the same list, because the alphabetical breakdown is between those two spellings. The same applies to names like “Harris” and “Harriss” (alphabetically, “Harriss” falls between “Hariso” and “Hasty”).
Researchers should also take into account examples of partial names in other situations. The name “Hendrick” will be easily found in the list “Hendcock – Herzel”. The partial (assumed spelling) name of “Hen[d]rick” will be found in the “Head – Hencrow” list, because the [ symbol comes alphabetically before the letter “a”. Thus, “Hen[d]rick” will be listed just before “Henagan” in that list.
Mc and Mac. In many instances, “Mc” or “Mac” may have been written with an apostrophe following the “M” in the original document. For example “M’Adams” for “McAdams”. In keeping with transcription guidelines, the original spelling was kept where it appears in the Journal, and likewise (usually) in the printed Journal index.
The sorting method used for this Journal compilation ignores the apostrophe as an alphabetical character. The program reads “M’Adams” as “Madams”, thus you would find “M’Adams” sorted between “Macy” and “Madan”. For that reason, the apostrophe in these names in this index compilation has been replaced with the letter “c”, although it is unknown whether it should be “Mc” or “Mac”, to keep these names together for easier researching.
In some indexes, a woman’s maiden name was included, in parentheses, as a middle name. We have left these as they are, but in many cases, there will be two entries for that particular woman – once under her maiden name, and once under her married name.
You may navigate within the PDF by scrolling, or by paging through using the up and down arrows, or by typing in a number in the page number box. To search, PDF files may be downloaded. The recommended reader is Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, which is compatible with Microsoft Windows 7, 8, and 10 or Mac OS X v10.9 though v10.12. You can view complete system requirements, with a download link, at: https://helpx.adobe.com/reader/system-requirements.html
If any broken or incorrect links are encountered, please bring it to the attention of the Webmaster.
Each link in this list will open a new page, with the major name grouping from this page further subdivided. Those name groups are linked to the actual pdf files. The exception is the lists for partial names and military units, which are linked directly to a pdf.
Names: Aames – Burkett
Names: Burkhart – Drund
Names: Drurey – Halske
Names: Halso – Jondren
Names: Jone – McMinn
Names: McMolaney – Porrie
Names: Portavint – Smiterman
Names: Smith – Vunkannon
Names: Waamoth – Zwalter
Names: Partial or Unknown
Numbered Military Units
Non-numbered Military Units