Haywood County Genealogy
- Formed 1808
- Parent county / earlier Buncombe
- County seat Waynesville
- Neighbors buncombe, jackson, swain, madison, transylvania
Photos & maps
What’s new
- Charleston-class research hub: history essay, record matrix, towns, repositories, and local history news.
- Formation 1808 from Buncombe — search parents for earlier events.
- Seat: Waynesville · Library: Haywood County Public Library.
- Method guides: Start here · Formation · Census.
In-depth topics
Towns & communities
Haywood County was formed in 1808 from Buncombe. The county seat is Waynesville. Neighboring counties include buncombe, jackson, swain, madison, transylvania.
This hub combines a modern research floor—record matrix, towns, repositories, news—with local history narrative. Always search parent jurisdictions for pre-formation events.
The county was formed in 1808 from the western part of Buncombe County. It was named for John Haywood, Treasurer of North Carolina from 1787 to 1827.
In 1828 the western part of Haywood County became Macon County. In 1851 parts of Haywood County and Macon County were combined to form Jackson County. Source Wikipedia
The county seat of Haywood County is Waynesville. Haywood county contains a part of the Qualla Boundary which is home of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. Cold Mountain which is in Haywood County was popularized by the Civil War novel by Charles Frazier and movie of the same name. The Pigeon River has it's source in Haywood County. A portion of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park is in Haywood County as is a portion of the Pisgah National Forest. Cataloochee is a wellknown part of the Smokies that is in Haywood County.
Haywood County (Maggie Valley) is home to Ghost Town in the Sky a western themed amusement park. Haywood County includes the following townships: Beaverdam, Bethel, Cataloochee, Cecil, Clyde, Crabtree, Cruso, East Fork, Fines Creek, Iron Duff, Ivy Hill, Jonathan Creek, Pigeon, Waynesville, and White Oak.
- Maggie Valley as a family vacation destination has long been promoted in part because of it's small town feel, proximity to the Cherokee Indian Reservation (and Asheville) as well as other close attractions.
- Haywood County NCGenweb site
Haywood County Genealogical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 1331
Waynesville, NC 28786
Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 2122
Asheville, NC 28802
(covers Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Swain, and Transylvania Counties)
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Haywood County Courthouse
215 N Main Street
County Courthouse
Waynesville, NC 28786
Census
- 1810 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1810 Federal Census Transcription (web)
- 1810 Federal Census Transcription (plain text)
- 1820 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1820 Federal Census Transcription (web)
- 1820 Federal Census Transcription (plain text)
- 1830 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1830 Federal Census Transcription
- 1840 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1840 Federal Census Transcription
- 1850 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1850 Federal Census Transcription - Mortality Schedule (web)
- 1850 Federal Census Transcription - Mortality Schedule (plain text)
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Haywood County:
News related to Haywood County, NC
History notes
Haywood County (formed 1808 from Buncombe; seat Waynesville) is a Smokies gateway. Tourism towns (Maggie Valley, Lake Junaluska) and mountain farm corridors create mixed sources; parent Buncombe matters for early events.
Local history & events
- Notice of Public Hearing - Prop. Conveyance of County-Owned Property to Willow Hill Soap- Econ Dev - Haywood County government website (.gov)
- Notice of Public Hearing re Prop Conveyance of County Owned Properties to Pisgah Co for Economic Dev - Haywood County government website (.gov)
- Photographer sues Haywood County paper, claims Smokies photo 'stolen' - The Asheville Citizen Times
- Jeff Haynes, Haywood County Clerk of Court - The Mountaineer
- NCDOT starts new roundabout in Haywood County - WLOS
- I-40 West lane to close for several days in Haywood County for bridge work - WLOS
Research tools
Record availability matrix
| Record type | Coverage | Years (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal census | good | 1790–1950 | Federal schedules available for NC with known quirks/losses in some years. Place the household in the correct county for each decade. Before 1808, search parent jurisdiction: Buncombe. |
| Birth records | sparse | 1915– | Statewide birth registration is comparatively late in NC. Use delayed births, church registers, Bibles, and census for earlier generations. Before 1808, search parent jurisdiction: Buncombe. |
| Marriage records | partial | 1808– | County marriage records improve in the 19th–20th centuries; earlier events often appear in church books, bonds, or newspapers. Before 1808, search parent jurisdiction: Buncombe. |
| Death records | partial | 1915– | Death certificates denser after statewide registration; earlier deaths via obituaries, church burial, probate, and cemeteries. Before 1808, search parent jurisdiction: Buncombe. |
| Land & deeds | good | 1808– | Deeds/ROD series typically begin near county formation; colonial grants/plats may predate the county and live at State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1808, search parent jurisdiction: Buncombe. |
| Probate & estates | good | 1808– | Wills, administrations, and equity files are core sources. Courthouse losses push research to neighbors, microfilm, and State Archives of North Carolina. Before 1808, search parent jurisdiction: Buncombe. |
| Church & parish | partial | varies | Church coverage varies by denomination and survival; check local societies and denominational archives. |
| Newspapers | varies | varies | Title survival varies widely. Search local weeklies plus larger regional papers; use Chronicling America and the State Library of North Carolina and DigitalNC. |
| Military | good | 1775– | Revolutionary through 20th-century service may generate pensions, CMSRs, and local militia notes. Pair with county context for battles and units. |
| Cemeteries | partial | varies | Published surveys, Find a Grave, churchyards, and family plots. Unmarked burials are common—use obituaries and church books. |
| Court records | partial | 1808– | Common pleas, sessions, and other court series often begin near formation; equity may be with or near probate. Before 1808, search parent jurisdiction: Buncombe. |
| Tax lists | sparse | varies | Tax lists can substitute for missing census years. Coverage is uneven by locality and year; check State Archives of North Carolina and published abstracts. |
Newspapers
Cemeteries & burial research
- Haywood County cemeteries (Find a Grave / surveys)
Societies & repositories
Research starting points
Census
Federal census schedules are foundational for Haywood County household reconstruction. Collect every decade, note neighbors (FAN club), and track the county name as it existed that year—especially across formation and split boundaries.
Vital records
North Carolina statewide vital registration expanded in the early 20th century. For many Haywood County families you will rely on marriage bonds, church registers, Bible records, newspapers, delayed births, and probate—not only a modern certificate.
Cemeteries (legacy notes)
Cemetery surveys for Haywood County appear in published books, Find a Grave, USGenWeb archives, churchyards, and family plots. Absence of a stone is not absence of burial—pair markers with obituaries and church books.
Courthouse & contacts
The county seat is Waynesville. Confirm current Register of Deeds, Clerk of Superior Court, and library hours before visiting—offices move and digital portals change.
Public library: Haywood County Public Library
If not found here, try…
- Formed 1808
- Parent / earlier jurisdiction Buncombe — check district-era records before this county existed (districts guide).
Neighboring counties (deeds, marriages, newspapers, and kin often cross the line):