Stewart Dunaway

December 2018 - Just completed my 265th book, passing 87,000 pages. For 15-years I have been researching N.C. history by way of the N.C. State Archives. My interest began with the American Revolution. This research (and books that follow) pushed me into Road, Bridge, Ferry, Mill, Ordinary research by way of original records/documents. Road routes were defined by petitions and diagrams. This assisted in learning the routes the armies followed during the war. After authoring books on the American Revolution, I continued to transcribe the ENTIRE collection in the archives. Every county (that had preserved records) has been transcribed. Beginning in 2017 I now focus on land research. Miscellaneous land records can contain valuable information, including plats, diagrams, surveys, and affidavits. Also Ejectment records - where land title is disputed in court can assist researchers and genealogist in further information.

ALL THESE N.C. books are in the following format: the original document is photographed and included in these books. You can view signatures or whatever you like that might be contained on the document. The key information in the document is transcribed by me. Then I index the names (Last, First), special words (spring, well, death, dead etc.) to assist searching these records. A table of contents is created reflecting the box at the archives, by way of folder, then I provide a document title. Together, these books offer PRIMARY records for researchers. Some maps are provided to assist for that particular county.

FLORIDA research - I continue to slowly work on my home-state. State Land Grant atlases are being created to assist researchers in locating a particular person and grant location. Although this information is online (BLM), the books are handy in providing an easy way to search for people and locations. Also maps are provided and each ORIGINAL PLAT from the 1840s or 1850s surveys. Then a modern map is provided of the exact some location. Then I overlay them so you can see the old with the new. Indexing for Seminole Indian villages and battle sites are provided.