Vital Records for Guilford County Back On-Line...with a Catch!

Mr. Jeff Thigpen has informed the BIN that access to Guilford County Vital Records (Abstracts) has been restored...with a little catch! Since the end of July, we have been without access to vital records, an important tool for everyone around the genealogy world. Guilford County, Moore, Iredell, New Hanover & Burke County ROD's are the only offices that has access to vital records online.* Many of us were disappointed when access was removed for the reasons given by Mr. Thigpen. Although the BIN and this author disagreed with the reasoning, we believed Mr. Thigpen would reconsider and institute a system where access would be restored.

Well, Christmas comes early for most us that live within driving distance of the Guilford ROD office. For the rest, it will take an extra step and a stamp! Mr. Thigpen has indeed instituted a login/password authentication process to allow users to access vital record abstracts online. In my eyes and for the massive benefit this service provides, it is well worth the effort. Click on this link: http://rdlxweb.co.guilford.nc.us/vital/login.php?signup=1 and complete the online registration. You will receive an email from the ROD with further instructions on how to complete the process. You have two options. The first option: After completing the form, you can visit the ROD office and show a valid ID, which include a valid driver's license, state ID card, military ID card, English or English translated consular card, or valid passport. You should be granted access after you complete this step. The second option is for the folks who can’t drive to the ROD office. Photo copy your ID, complete the attached form contained within the email you receive (after you register), have it notarized, mail it in to the ROD office and wait for a reply. The instructions for either step are clearly explained in the first email you receive after you complete the initial registration form. Both steps may seem cumbersome and redundant, but I feel it’s reasonable because the benefits outweigh the pain of driving to his office or losing a stamp! Ha! On a personal note, I met Mr. Thigpen at my graduation from Guilford College in 2002. He was our keynote speaker and a former county commissioner. I knew he was well respected and was in good standing in the county. I know he took both sides of this issue to heart and came up with a workable and reasonable way of allowing online access to vital records. After reviewing the registration process, the BIN fully supports the Guilford County ROD and their procedure for access to vital records.

I applaud Mr. Thigpen for sticking to his word and implementing a system that is acceptable to everyone. It addresses the concerns lodged by the citizens of the county and allows law-abiding, innocent, and foremost, the serious genealogist access to otherwise PUBLIC records. I have been to the Guilford County Register of Deeds office many, many times and I’ve always been served without issue. Access to vital records has always been granted and I know it will always be in the future.

*Source: Bonnie Jones, Contributor to the BIN

Art Briles Moves On

So much for the Houston Cougar Watch! Art Briles, Head coach of the Cougars, has been hired by Baylor to become the next head coach. Briles had four years left on his contract and accepted a bowl bid to the Texan Bowl on the 28th of December. Briles will not coach the team in the bowl game. Briles led Houston to four bowls in his five seasons. "Life is full of decisions. Sometimes, you have to look at things from a professional, personal standpoint," Briles said. "Professionally, (Houston) ... is great university with a situation I'm proud to be a part of. Personally, the move allows a person of my nature a little more security. When you're getting up in my age, that's an important factor in life." Baylor completed their 12th straight losing season and their 12th consecutive Big 12 loss. Briles will make 1.8 million dollars a year for the next 7 years.

Jewel Francis Briles Jordan Passes at Age 79

ASHEBORO-Jewell Francis Briles Jordan, age 79, passed November 24, 2007 at her home. Funeral will be Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Pugh Funeral Home Chapel; Rev. Robert Kidd officiating. Burial will follow in Randolph Memorial Park. Born January 21, 1928 at Jackson Creek, NC the daughter of Ernest Sheridan and Ella Mae (Younts) Briles. Survived by her husband: William Jordan, Jr.; one daughter: Patricia Diane Trull of Randleman, NC; granddaughter and her husband, Jan and Danny Cox of Cedar Falls, NC; granddaughter and her husband, Stephanie and Frankie Nobles of Randleman, NC; great grandchildren, Jacqueline and Nicole Cox of Cedar Falls, NC; great grandchildren, Brianna and Frankie Nobles, Jr. of Randleman, NC; sister : Alice Loflin of Asheboro, NC and two brothers: Gilbert Briles of Trinity, NC, Wendell Briles of Asheboro, NC. Family will receive friends Tuesday, November 27, 2007 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro, NC.-Pugh FH

Houston Slams Texas Southern

The Houston Cougars, coached by Art Briles, defeated Texas Southern Saturday, the 24th of November. The final was 59-6, Cougars. The Cougars are now 8-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play. The regular season is over and the team is bowl eligible. They cannot win the Conf-USA Title. Art Briles and the Cougars now await a bowl bid. Congratulations to Art Briles and the Houston Cougars for a great season!!! The BIN will continue to monitor the NCAA Bowl Selection and report on the game if the team gets a bowl bid.

Taking a Break...

Well it looks like the new format is up and running and all of the features appear to be working. It's at this time that the BIN will take a break for the rest of the year. We will update the databases as needed and report on any breaking news such as a death or major story. The BLOG will be updated as needed. During the break, the BIN will be working on new features and projects for Video Impressions, our sister network. Everyone have a great holiday and we will see you next year.

Cougars Win Over Marshall

The Houston Cougars, coached by Art Briles, defeated Marshall Saturday, the 17th of November. The final was 35-28, Cougars. The Cougars are now 7-4 overall and 6-2 in conference play. They are still bowl eligible, but can not win the Conf-USA Title.

I'm NOT Dead...Really!

While updating the database on Rootsweb.com today, I discovered that one Briles database, George Durman, had me and my entire family listed as deceased. HMMM, well, I hate to tell you this but I'm very much alive thank you very much! In fact, there are a lot of names in this database that list folks as deceased and they are very much alive. The crazy thing about this is the database was updated last month! Rootsweb has a strict policy about showing information on the living. I agree with this policy and the only way it will show a name is if you mark them as deceased. I think it's good that you can list a name of the living without displaying their vital information as its displayed on two of our databases. But this is just not right. We hope George will respond to our email, but if past history comes into play, I will be listed deceased until...well, I'm deceased!

New Email for the BIN

With the new page and format set to debut next Sunday, we have created a new email. This email is now in affect:
Click here to access the new BIN email or click on the contact page to view the graphic for the new email.

Delayed Notice: Vergie Clifton Light

Stuart-Mrs. Vergie Emma Clifton Light age 99 passed August 24, 2007 at The Blue Ridge Nursing Home. Funeral Services was held August 27, 2007 at 11 am at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Stuart; Elder Donnie Conner and Rev. Jim Churchwell officiating. Burial at Patrick Memorial Gardens. Born December 7, 1907 in Patrick County to the late Samuel Lester Clifton and the late Lilly Maude Martin Clifton. Preceded in death by her husband, Clifford Eugene Light; a daughter Donice Jean Light Conner; a son-in-law John D. Helms; sisters: Annie C. Haden, Addie C. Arrington, Leola C. Pollard, Una C. Arrington, and Nell C.Purcell. Brothers deceased are Noel,: Ray, Emmitte, Vester, and English Clifton. She is survived by a daughter Vivian L.Helms of Stuart. One son Douglas C. Light and wife Ellen of Stuart, one son-in-law Aubrey Conner of Christiansburg, Va. 5 grandchildren Nancy Jo Cline and husband Dean of Ridgeway, Va.; John David Helms and wife Nancy of Stuart; Pam C. Wirt and husband Dan of Radford, Va.; Layne Conner of Washington;Chris Conner and wife Krissy of Roanoke, Va. 3 great-grandchildren Laura Bowles Quirk and husband Andy of Martinsville, Va.; Josh Wirt of Radford, Va. and Kasey Conner, of Key West, Florida. One sister Irene C. Briles of Greensboro, NC. -Moody

Tony Towe Passes

Winston-Salem-Mr. Tony Lee Towe age 55 passed November 7, 2007 at Forsyth Medical Center. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy; Rev. Tommy Floyd officiating with burial to follow in Little Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery. Born December 9, 1951 in Forsyth County to the late Herbert Henry and Irene Hazel Bennett Towe. Survived by his wife, Ruth O’Neal Towe of the home; a daughter, Jennifer Dawn Towe of Wilmington; a son and daughter-in-law, Brian Lee and Connie Towe of Randleman; granddaughter, Madeline Carver of Wilmington; a step grandson, Luke Spencer of Randleman; four sisters and brothers-in-law, Judy and Tom Miles and Joan Higgins all of Newport News, VA, Teresa and Dennis Carswell of Cary, Tammy and Larry Tate of Mount Airy and one brother, Ronnie Towe of Newport, News, VA. 2019 of Mt. Airy and post 9436 of Pilot Mountain. Family will receive friends Friday evening, November 9, 2007 from 7:00 until 9:00 PM. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com.