New Bern looking for descendants for 300th anniversary celebration
By From staff reports
Published in News on April 7, 2010 1:46 PM
As New Bern prepares to celebrate its 300th anniversary, a group has come together to discuss ways to honor their ancestors.
The focus is on the families of New Bern and Craven County, but organizers say many of those have relatives and descendants in surrounding counties like Wayne, Lenoir and Greene, that they are also trying to reach and include.
Specifically, organizers are looking for anyone with a connection to the:
*early settlers (Pre-1710),
*the 1710 German and Swiss Settlers
*the later settlers (Post-1710) who moved on to surrounding counties and states.
The goal is to not only remember honor ancestors, but also to share and learn more about family histories, and to educate school children about their area's history.
A two-day event, which has been approved as an official 300th Celebration event, will be held in July at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.
On July 9, "A Stroll Down Memory Lane" Open House will be held in Heritage Hall with family memory boards on display, as well as a Family History Fair with area family history libraries, historical and genealogical associations, groups and societies. Punch and cookies with a New Bern theme will be served. The Friday event is free and open to the public.
On July 10, "Celebrating the Families of New Bern and Craven County" Luncheon will be held in the Colonial Capitol Ballroom. There will be a history presentation, local musical entertainment and will be catered by Moore's Olde Tyme Barbeque.
The two-day event will be a time for people to visit with family and friends and to meet with other descendants of the families of New Bern and Craven County. Tickets for the luncheon will go on sale in April and further details about the event will be provided.
For more information, contact David French at (252) 649-0102 or e-mail at davidafrench@gmail.com.