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
Jackson sheriff drug hauls aid youth sports – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Jackson sheriff drug hauls aid youth sports
Asheville Citizen-Times In Buncombe County, the Sheriff's Office also spends nothing on youth sports. It does sponsor an employee kickball team with money donated to the department … |
Asheville, Buncombe County schools announce make up days – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Asheville, Buncombe County schools announce make up days
Asheville Citizen-Times … in the week in which the school day was missed, weather permitting. Buncombe County schools will make up last Friday's missed day of school on April 8. |
More than 14000 still without power going into weekend – BlueRidgeNow.com
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More than 14000 still without power going into weekend
BlueRidgeNow.com A note on the Duke Energy Web site told customers in the three counties, as well as Buncombe County, to expect the power to be restored no later than 11 pm … Rain reigns in area weekend washout Western North Carolina gets a 2-day reprieve from snow, ice and rain Ice causes power outages across WNC |
Diaper drive to benefit the pantry at LightShare of Buncombe County – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Diaper drive to benefit the pantry at LightShare of Buncombe County
Asheville Citizen-Times … Stephanie Trooper is helping area moms this Wednesday by holding a diaper drive to benefit the pantry at LightShare of Buncombe County. … |
Asheville, Buncombe, all of Western North Carolina begin to dig out from … – Asheville Citizen-Times
 WNCT |
Asheville, Buncombe, all of Western North Carolina begin to dig out from …
Asheville Citizen-Times Progress Energy reported on 500 customers without electricity in Buncombe County, 37 in Haywood and 32 without power in Henderson. … Police to announce largest drug and cash seizure ever in WNC on Monday Snow storm that covered Carolinas heads out to sea Asheville snow blog: Day 1 |
Dixon files for state Senate seat – BlueRidgeNow.com
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Dixon files for state Senate seat
BlueRidgeNow.com He began his professional career with United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, including positions with First Call for Help and the Community Fund. … |
