The James Potter, Jr. Bible

     From 2002 to 2011, I worked with the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources in Manteo, N.C.  During my tenure with the Department, I had the opportunity to work directly with the State Library in Raleigh as well as the Outer Banks History Center in Manteo.  Within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is the State Archives.  The State Archives collects, preserves, and utilizes the state's historic resources so present and future residents may better understand their history.
     The James Potter, Jr. Family Bible is among those items collected within the State Archives.  I do not know when the Bible was taken to Raleigh to be preserved among it's collections or who the family member was who saw the need to preserve their family history.

    James Potter, Jr. married Julia Whitford Daniels in Lowland on January 23, 1878.  Births, marriages and deaths are recorded in the family Bible as well as an extended genealogical family tree of Potters, Williamsons, and many other Island families.  Below, is the scanned originals from the James Potter, Jr. Family Bible that is within the N.C Family Records Online Collection. To view the extended genealogical family tree pages of present day Potters, and to access additional family Bibles and other online collections, go to http://familyrecords.ncdcr.gov. , browse by family name, and select Potter.  There are 17 pages total.

     Nearly 1500 Bible Records (listing births, marriages, and death information written in family bibles) from various donated family bibles are held by the State Archives of North Carolina.  Most scans that you will find online were photocopied or photostat that were created up to 80 years earlier when families brought their Bibles to Raleigh to be copied and stored within the State Archives.
     Many records are quite beautiful, showing 18th and 19th century handwriting, photographs and hand drawn family trees.  You can sometimes trace how the literacy levels in families changed from generation to generation.
     The State Library has provided service to North Carolina and her people since 1812.  Among its services, it boasts one of the largest North Carolina specific genealogical collections in the state.  To visit the State Library or to inquire about possibly preserving your family history, you can call 919-807-7310 or visit at 109 East Jones Street in Raleigh.