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
Latest North Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Buncombe County from the Forum:
North Carolina Genealogy Forum: Forum: Buncombe County NC Genealogy Queries – Recent Topics
Ilene Nutt on “Mitchell family and Breedlove or Budlove family”
Looking for information about Martha E. Budlove or Breedlove with two children, Celia JC Budlove or Breedlove, and Elijah LWJEWPS (strange initials listed in 1860 Census Record.Martha and children were living with her parents William M. and Barby (Martha)Mitchell. They were living in Shoal Creek, Cherokee County N.C. at the time of the census.
Ilene Nutt on “Benjamin Kirkland born 1802 Rutherford County”
Looking for information about Benjamin Kirkland born 1802 in Rutherford County.
Ilene
Ilene Nutt on “Espie Carolina Kirkland born 1810 Buncombe”
Looking for information about Espie Carolina Kirkland born 1810 in Buncombe county and her father, James Altonia Kirkland born 1781 in Buncombe County.
Ilene
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 County having problems with phone lines – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Buncombe County having problems with phone lines
Asheville Citizen-Times ASHEVILLE â Buncombe County government phone lines are experiencing problems this afternoon, and there's no word when the problem might be fixed. … |
Instant-runoff voting debuts in state, county elections – Mountain Xpress
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Instant-runoff voting debuts in state, county elections
Mountain Xpress Instant-runoff candidates for Buncombe County's District 28 Superior Court are local attorney Diane K. McDonald; attorney Heather Whitaker Goldstein, … |
Whooping cough is back in Asheville, Buncombe County – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Whooping cough is back in Asheville, Buncombe County
Asheville Citizen-Times Buncombe County currently has the highest immunization exemption (parents and caregivers choosing not to vaccinate their children) rate in North Carolina, … |
Candler man arrested for child pornography – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Candler man arrested for child pornography
Asheville Citizen-Times A 38-year-old Candler man was arrested by the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Thursday and charged with three counts of second degree exploitation of a … |
Buncombe County Medical Society launches ‘The Physicians’ Voice’ – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Buncombe County Medical Society launches 'The Physicians' Voice'
Asheville Citizen-Times By ⢠August 31, 2010 The Western North Carolina/Buncombe County Medical Society, with almost 900 physician members and growing, is dedicated to improving … |
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NC Board of Elections rejects Kate Dreher's request to combine Buncombe County …
Asheville Citizen-Times ASHEVILLE â Two Buncombe County Superior Court judicial races will not be combined into one race. … State Board of Elections opts not to combine two races for Buncombe County … Board rejects Dreher's request to combine judicial races |
