Buncombe County Genealogy
The county was formed in 1791 from parts of Burke County and Rutherford County. It was named for Edward Buncombe, a colonel in the American Revolutionary War, who was captured at the Battle of Germantown.
In 1808 the western part of Buncombe County became Haywood County. In 1833 parts of Burke County and Buncombe County were combined to form Yancey County, and in 1838 the southern part of what was left of Buncombe County became Henderson County. Finally, in 1851 parts of Buncombe County and Yancey County were combined to form Madison County.
Buncombe County has contributed a word to the English language. In the Sixteenth Congress, after lengthy debate on the Missouri Compromise, members of the House called for an immediate vote on that important question. Instead, Felix Walker, whose district included Buncombe County, rose to address his colleagues, insisting that his constituents expected him to make a speech “for Buncombe.” It was later remarked that Walker’s untimely and irrelevant oration was not just for Buncombe–it “was Buncombe.” Thus, “buncombe,” afterwards spelled “bunkum” and then shortened to “bunk,” became a term for empty, nonsensical talk. Source Wikipedia
Buncombe county is the father (mother?) of all of the western counties. Originally, it’s dimensions were so vast, it was referred to as the “state” of Buncombe. The County seat of Buncombe County is Asheville. The county currently is split into the following townships: Asheville, Avery Creek, Black Mountain, Broad River, Fairview, Flat Creek, French Broad, Ivy, Leicester, Limestone, Lower Hominy, Reems Creek, Sandy Mush, Swannanoa, and Upper Hominy.
Among the notable locations in Buncombe County: The Biltmore Estate, Grove Park Inn, Thomas Wolfe House, Vance Birthplace, the Folk Art Center (located on the Blue Ridge Parkway), Pisgah National Forest, and the Grove Arcade, Basilica of St. Lawrence. Asheville has a great Urban Trail with markers in a self guided tour.
The Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 2122
Asheville, NC 28802
covers the counties that Buncombe originally entailed which is most of current Western North Carolina. (covers present day Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Swain, and Transylvania Counties)
Buncombe County Courthouse
60 Courthouse Plaza
Asheville, NC 28801
Probably the best public library for research in the county. (Some other libraries in the Asheville Buncombe system have specific content to the town, such as the Weaverville library.)
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
Asheville, NC. 28801
Search the Pack Library Special Collections online
Asheville-Buncombe Library System
If you’re interested in Weaverville history and visiting. There is the Dry Ridge Museum which is in the basement of the Library in Weaverville on Main Street. Neat collection of photos, books, etc.
Weaverville Branch of Asheville-Buncombe Library System
41 N. Main Street
Weaverville, NC 28787
The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints has a reading room at their Church building on Sweeten Creek Rd. in the Arden area.
Census
1810 Federal Census index online text
1850 Federal Census index online text Directory opens to listing of text files by starting page number.
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries of Buncombe County
Query Forums
Buncombe County, NC Query Forum
Buncombe County, NC at Genforum
Cities and towns in Buncombe County:
Alexander
Arden
Asheville (County Seat)
Barnardsville
Biltmore
Black Mountain
Candler
Enka
Enka Village
Fairview
Grace
Leicester
Montreat
Oak Park
Oteen
Ridgecrest
Royal Pines
Skyland
Swannanoa
Weaverville
West Asheville
West Haven
News related to Buncombe County, NC
“buncombe county” nc – Google News
Buncombe ranks 4th in North Carolina for recycling – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Buncombe ranks 4th in North Carolina for recycling
Asheville Citizen-Times ASHEVILLE â Buncombe County's Azalea Park features receptacles for soccer players and their fans to dispose of their … |
‘Loser’ remark directed at student by Enka Middle School teacher probed – Asheville Citizen-Times
 KSFY |
'Loser' remark directed at student by Enka Middle School teacher probed
Asheville Citizen-Times CANDLER â Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Tony Baldwin on Saturday said an investigation is under way following … Teacher writes 'loser' on girl's assignments Is Teacher Rex Roland the Biggest Loser? Teacher Writes "Loser" on Student's Paper |
Sheriff’s Office collecting prescription drugs today – Asheville Citizen-Times
 KEZI TV |
Sheriff's Office collecting prescription drugs today
Asheville Citizen-Times ASHEVILLE â The Buncombe County Sheriff's Department is encouraging members of the public to drop off their unused or expired prescription drugs at its … Operation Medicine Drop event today |
Tower for Buncombe County courthouse gets OK – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Tower for Buncombe County courthouse gets OK
Asheville Citizen-Times ASHEVILLE â A city board on Friday unanimously approved Buncombe County's plans to add onto its courthouse, … |
Search warrant: Marijuana seized from house – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Search warrant: Marijuana seized from house
Asheville Citizen-Times MARSHALL â Agents with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement discovered 25 marijuana plants at a home on Heslar Way near the Buncombe-Madison County line … |
Buncombe County, NC Schools To Make Up Snow Days – News Channel 7
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Buncombe County, NC Schools To Make Up Snow Days
News Channel 7 By Buncombe County School District Bunbombe County, NC– As of this school year, we have limited options for makeup days due to the NC School Calendar Law … Buncombe County is 25th healthiest in NC Making Up Snow Days Becoming A Challenge For some WNC School Districts |
