Here are excerpts from an article in East Carolina University's publication, "Pieces of Eight." I know you'll agree that this is exciting news! As stated in the article, this information is online at www.lib.ecu.edu/exhibits. Janice Gurganus Pieces of Eight Volume 25, Number 4 GREENVILLE, NC December 2, 2002 East Carolina University History Goes Digital Joyner Adds Online Exhibits By George Threewitts Two new digital exhibits at ECU's Joyner Library allow access to North Carolina history by anyone, anywhere, at any time. The two new online exhibits are part of four exhibits now included in the Eastern North Carolina Digital History Exhibits available at www.lib.ecu.edu/exhibits. Visitors to the web site can examine the exploits of the early 18th century explorer and naturalist, John Lawson. Lawson, famous for starting the towns of Bath and New Bern, traveled the wilds of eastern North Carolina before his untimely death in 1711. He surveyed fields, rivers and streams to observe and write about the plants, animals and native people. It was a time when England was pondering the resources of the "New World" and Lawson was more than apt in the skill of "show and tell." Accounts of Lawson's influence and experience as a surveyor, explorer, land speculator, fur trader, naturalist, ethnographer, and writer is intended as a valuable resources for learning about eastern North Carolina. The exhibit includes letters and other writings. There are also court records from cases and hearings related to Lawson, part of his will, and excerpts from magazines and books published since his death. Also providing insight into North Carolina's history are the online census records available through the library's Pitt County Digital Tobacco History Exhibit. The exhibit contains county census data from 1900 that identify the people and places in Pitt County. Easy to find and search, the records include every piece of information recorded by the census-takers such as occupation, street address, ownership of house or farm and the birthplace of parents.