http://www.archives.ncdcr.gov/services.htm
They have changed the phone numbers recently and the ones I used to use for them is now the gov. information department. However, I'm sure you can get the archives number from them, if you call during the week. This number does not answer on weekends.
Phone: (919) 807-7310
Fax: (919) 733-1354
Email: archives@ncmail.net
Ordering records frorn the North Carolina State Archives
NOTE: This is the new address:
Archives and Records Section
4614 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4614
The Physical Address of the Archives (and State Library of North Carolina) is:
109 E. Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601-2807
I quote from a response by one of the employees:
"Request: Write one brief letter for each problem,
enclosing a SASE
and $20.00 search fee if you are a nonresident
of
North Carolina.
North Carolina law requires it. Cheques and Money Orders should be
made payable to:
North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
Provide name of the person whose record is desired, date of the
record, probable county, and the type of record sought. Keep it brief!!
Do not explain familial relationships and accomplishments!!
Unless you are a long lost relative, THEY DON"T CARE!!!
The North Carolina taxpayers support the Archives with their tax dollars (whether they wish to do so or not) <Grin> and that unfortunately, economics prevent them from supplying those services free for non-residents, much as they might desire so to do.
Result: In the fullness of time a sheet will arrive in one SASE with a description of the material and the price for photocopying same. If there is no record # , that will be noted, along with the types of records that have been unsuccessfully searched.
Ordering: Return sheet with a check or money order and
you will receive a stamped dated photocopy
of the record as soon as your request can be filled." (My
note, sometimes they are a month or so, backlogged)
The underfunded North Carolina State Archives fields at least 17,000 mail queries a year. Archives of original colonies are simply swamped -- and they want to provide copies of the records. They are amazingly prompt and skilled and responsive. ( and might I add, very polite and helpful). The well-trained personnel cannot look up the estates papers IF the request is just for a WILL.
[My note - I always advise my clients to ask for the "complete estate files or packets", when writing for probate records.]
They cannot tell you if there is a will, for Joe Blow, in Watchmacallit County. You have to tell them the name of the testator and and the county where that person died. If you do not know, you cannot expect them to find it.
In fact, they cannot search for anything in the archives, unless there is an index that they can use.
Here is where you email me and ask if
there is a deed or and estate, record, for that person.
sueashby@earthlink.net
Or, they will send you, a list of professional genealogists who
do that kind of thing..
They want to help the researcher, and their performance has been superb
in responding to requests. They have no control over the records that were
created, nor over those that have survived.
Notice: The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources does have the Rev. War Army Accounts on microfilm but, they do not do the search for the names included.
They do not have the Federal Revolutionary War service
or pension records.
You must write for a form from, Wash. DC for those records.
( The form # to ask for is NATF Form 80)
That address is: Textual Reference Branch (NNR1)
National Archives and Records Administration
7th and Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20408
THE ABOVE, IS FOR MILITARY RECORDS BEFORE WW I OR WW II.
To get records for WW I, or WW II, you have to write for, forms from:
National Personnel Records Center (Military Records)
National Archives and Records Administration
9700 Page Boulevard
St Louis, MO 63132
I personally have had nothing but wonderful response and help from the
NC State archives.
I hope you do too! Sue