Registers of Deeds

In this Saturday, July 17, 2021, photo, a copy of a covenant for property now owned by Fred Ware is seen in Manchester, Conn. Fred and Dave Ware recently found a whites-only covenant on his property dating back to 1942 when researching the title chain. The covenant described as letter "F" states that "No persons of any race other than the white race shall use or occupy any building or any lot, except that this covenant shall not prevent occupancy by domestic servants of a different race domiciled with an owner tenant." (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

The Wake County Register of Deeds wants help searching for racist housing covenants

Sharryse Piggott

The Wake County Register of Deeds Office is seeking volunteers for a project to help find and archive racially restrictive covenants that prevented largely African Americans, as well as people of other ethnic and minority groups, from buying or living on certain land in Wake County.

This photo, from the Amazon Prime show "Them," shows an example of a restrictive covenant.

Race & Demographics

Uncovering Racist Housing Practices, One Deed At A Time

Rebecca Martinez

In the decades after Emancipation, many African Americans left the rural South amid the Great Migration. In the meantime, many white home owners across the United States were encouraged to add language to their deeds, making it illegal for Black people to ever live in their houses.

Politics

Public Weighs In On Bill To Allow Magistrates To Opt-Out Of Marriage Duties

Reema Khrais

A state House judiciary committee heard public comment Wednesday on a bill that would allow magistrates and registers of deeds to opt-out of performing…