Connecting the Docs: True Stories from the Old North State

The story of young Nell Cropsey is one that has been repeated throughout time.  A relationship ends and a woman disappears shortly thereafter.  Records maintained by the State Archives illustrate the tragedy as it unfolded in turn-of-the-20th-century Elizabeth City, North Carolina. In episode 1, “Disappearance and Recovery”, our archivists set the stage for the tragedy that unfolds late in the yea...

In this episode, archivists Debbie Blake, Ellen Brooks, Randon McCrea, and Chris Meekins delve into animal mayhem in the Old North State. Using government journals, maps, newspaper articles and more they explore the stories of animals wreaking havoc in the General Assembly, the streets of Charlotte, and on a porch near the Pee Dee River. Special guests: Ask a Ranger podcast hosts, Ranger Crystal a...

This episode continues the story of the Carroll A. Deering. Our archivists, Donna Kelly, Stuart Parks, and Chris Meekins explore how newspapers reported the event; how maps helped show the route taken by the ship; what was found onboard the ship; its eventual destruction once it could not be salvaged or refloated; an official worldwide investigation into the crew’s disappearance; numerous theories...

This episode is about a ship, the Carroll A. Deering, whose crew mysteriously disappeared without a trace off the Outer Banks of North Carolina in late January of 1921. Our archivists, Donna Kelly, Stuart Parks, and Chris Meekins, give background on the ship and her crew; elaborate on the treacherous nature of the “Graveyard of the Atlantic”; and give details about several attempts to board the sh...

“Frankie Silver: A Woman Hanged” is the story of a gruesome death, prisoner disguise and escape, and the eventual hanging of a young woman found guilty of murdering her husband in 1831.  Episode 3, the final in the Frankie Silver series, host Andrea Gabriel talks with archivists Chris Meekins and Debbie Blake about Frankie Silver's escape; pleas for her pardon, her eventual hanging, and ways that...

“Frankie Silver: A Woman Hanged” is the story of a gruesome death, prisoner disguise and escape, and the eventual hanging of a young woman found guilty of murdering her husband in 1831.  Episode 2, host Andrea Gabriel talks with archivists Chris Meekins and Debbie Blake for a recount of Frankie Silver’s trial and appeal. See the documents mentioned in the episode at the State Archives of North Car...

“Frankie Silver: A Woman Hanged” is the story of a gruesome death, prisoner disguise and escape, and the eventual hanging of a young woman found guilty of murdering her husband in 1831.  Episode 1, host Andrea Gabriel talks with archivists Chris Meekins and Debbie Blake as they introduce the characters, time and place, and circumstances of the crime. Special guest: NY Times best-seller, Sharyn McC...

We are excited to announce a forthcoming podcast from the State Archives of North Carolina. "Connecting the Docs" will use archival materials to introduce listeners to fascinating and true stories from around the Old North State. The theme of our first season is "Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem." Stay tuned! In the meantime, here's a link to the State Archives Blog, "History for all the People."