Buncombe County Genealogy
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Buncombe County Genealogy – History, Creation and Facts
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.
Buncombe County Genealogy – Records
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
Buncombe County Genealogy – Other Resources
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
lynnsisk on “Alexander,Baldwin,corn,king and Sisk family of NC”
We are looking for the family of Pinkney Alexander who married a Jane Baldwin,had a daughter named Annie Epsie ALexander,she married a George Derice L Corn,they had a daughter named Helen Agatha Corn who married Leslie Monroe King.They had a daughter named Thelma Kathleen King who married Earl William Sisk Sr. They all were suppose to be from Asheville North Carolina. I know Corn’s also came from Virginia.Alexander’s we have no clue. We cant find any information on Pinkney Alexander and his wife.Some say he has a statue in Asheville Nc,no idea,cant find it.His wife Jane Baldwin is suppose to be Cherokee Indian,and I guess from we were told so is alot of Corn’s..Does anyone have any idea about any of these families and if you do will you please help. I know more about the Sisk side than I do about the rest,so if anyone can help with the first 4 families it would be great,none of us are close enough to go look for ourselves and no idea where to look for more information…Thank you
burgessca on “Espie Caroline Kirkland”
According to my research: Nathan Kirkland-Cherokee Indian Chief- (Cheesesquire) 1750 NC – 1851 or 1880 (Robbinsville, NC)-M- Lilly Berry Faw 1758 – had 9 children the first in 1781 James Altonia Kirkland NC -M- Susan Boston 1783 – NC who had 11 children the fourth born in 1810 was Espie Caroline Kirkland -M- Benjamin Kirkland (1st. cousins). They had 10 children. I have more info if you would like to contact me.
THunter on “1832-1865 Robert M. Jones or Robert Lewis Jones wife Clarissa Hughey Asheville”
I’ve now found out that my ggGrandfather Robert M. Jones may have really been Robert Lewis Jones instead. He was still married to Clarissa Hughey and after his death she married a Samuel Stroup of Swannanoa, NC. Robert and Clarissa had two children that I know of Harriett Roxana and William Jones but may have had two more that I know nothing about. My gGrandfather is William and gGrandmother was Sallie Morgan Jones. Any help would be much appreciated. I’ve searched everywhere and haven’t had any luck. The Hughey family still lives in the Asheville area but I’ve not found any that are connected to Clarissa. The Stroup family still live in the Swannanoa area too, but again I’ve not found any that are connected to Harriett Roxanna and Samuel Stroup family.
Terry
THunter on “1832-1861 Robert M. Jones husband to Clarissa Hughey”
I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find any info on my gggrandfather Robert M. Jones. He married Clarissa Hughey (Samuel Hughey and Margaret Young Brank’s daughter) She had been married before to Laffyette Patton from Swannanoa, NC and after Robert she married Sam Stroup of Swannanoa so I thought Robert must be from that area too, but I can’t find anything on him. A lot of the Jones from my family was buried in Clarks Chappel Cemetery and a lot of them lived in Weaverville. Any help on finding out about Robert M. Jones would be appreciated.
Terry
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
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
BCSO: Teacher Accused Of Sex Crime Against Students – WYFF Greenville
 WLOS |
BCSO: Teacher Accused Of Sex Crime Against Students
WYFF Greenville BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC — A Buncombe County middle school teacher is in jail accused of a sex crime against at least four students. Kevin Mark Calloway, 41, is charged with indecent liberties with a child and secret peeping. According to an arrest report, … Owen Middle teacher faces sex charge Owen Middle School Investigation 6th Grade Math And Science Teacher At Owen Middle School Suspended |
Religious Materials Debate Continues in Buncombe County – Patheos (blog)
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Religious Materials Debate Continues in Buncombe County
Patheos (blog) What she is doing is not easy, but her work, along with the work of Byron Ballard, is slowly changing the culture in Buncombe County. Next month the school board will likely vote on the new rule, Byron Ballard suggests sending them an email of support. |
Patsy Keever will remain in race for Congress in NC’s 10th Congressional District – Mountain Xpress
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Patsy Keever will remain in race for Congress in NC's 10th Congressional District
Mountain Xpress Because of the extremely partisan redistricting here in North Carolina and across this country, Buncombe County residents were split between two congressional districtsâthe 10th and the 11th. More than 90 percent of the area I now represent in the … |
Lawsuit claims Asheville counselor fired for reporting patient neglect – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Lawsuit claims Asheville counselor fired for reporting patient neglect
Asheville Citizen-Times Laura Haas is seeking more than $6 million in damages from CooperRiis Inc. for loss of earnings and infliction of emotional distress, according to the lawsuit filed in Buncombe County Superior Court. Haas said she was fired in January 2009 in … |
Debate over religion in schools brings crowd to Buncombe board meeting – Asheville Citizen-Times
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Debate over religion in schools brings crowd to Buncombe board meeting
Asheville Citizen-Times ASHEVILLE â The debate over religious materials in schools spilled into a Buncombe County Board of Education meeting Thursday night, bringing a crowd of people who wanted to weigh in on a proposed policy. âI am very strong about my religion,â … Pagan mom live-tweets Buncombe Board of Ed debate on religious activities in … |
NC Democratic congressman Heath Shuler says he won’t seek re-election to House – Washington Post
 ABC News |
NC Democratic congressman Heath Shuler says he won't seek re-election to House
Washington Post RALEIGH, NC â US Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina announced Thursday he won't run for re-election to Congress in what's become another blow to the conservative wing of the Democratic Party on Capitol Hill and the party's state congressional … Rep. Heath Shuler won't seek re-election, will retire from Congress *Updated* Arrest in Downtown Break-ins |
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