Genealogy at the Appalachian Collection
The W.L. Eury Appalachian Collection is considered by many to be western North Carolina's most comprehensive genealogical resource. In addition to its wealth of primary and secondary sources available to genealogists, staff members are knowledgeable about genealogical techniques and northwestern North Carolina families. Student employees, who exclusively work week nights and weekends, are also trained in basic genealogical principals.
Staff cannot conduct research for out-of-town researchers; however, names of individuals willing to conduct research for fee are available. Photocopies cost ten cents. Most genealogical materials do not circulate.
Resources Relevant to Genealogical Research:
County Records: Holdings include the microfilm version of the original marriage records, land deeds, wills, and multiple other county court records. The collection emphasizes western North Carolina and northeastern Tennessee. Also available are books with county records transcribed primarily by amateur genealogists.
Family Histories: Books published about specific Appalachian families.
Federal Censuses: Holdings include the microfilm version of each available census for each Appalachian county, as defined by the Appalachian Regional Commission. Indexes and transcriptions are available for many pre-1880 counties. The 1930 Federal Census and Soundex for North Carolina are available.
Genealogical Journals: The Appalachian Collection subscribes to both local and national genealogical and historical journals. Holdings also include defunct journals.
Heritage Books: These books include county history and family information as submitted to county genealogical associations.
Manuscript Collections: Many manuscript collections contain genealogical information.
- The Cratis D. Williams Papers include Williams' personal research conducted in Blaine, Kentucky.
- The Mabel Methodist Episcopal Church, South Sunday School Collection includes the names of church members of Mabel Methodist Episcopal Church, located in western Watauga County, North Carolina.
- The Appalachian Oral History Project Records contains Watauga County residents' oral histories, including many family histories.
- The Andrew Jackson Greene Papers include A. J. Greene's diaries which record the pre-World War II Mabel and other Watauga County communities.
- The J. Walter Jones Records consist of the early twentieth century medical ledgers of Dr. Jones of Boone, North Carolina.
- The William Allan Papers include genealogical research conducted in Watagua County, North Carolina during the 1930s.
- The Robert Proffit Papers consist of his genealogical files for the Meat Camp community of Watauga County, North Carolina.
Maps: The Appalachian Collection has a topographical map for each quadrant in the Appalachian Region as well as additional land maps.
Newspapers: The Appalachian Collection owns most early western North Carolina newspapers on microfilm. Indexes are NOT available.
Other Microfilmed Primary Sources: Church ledgers, the Eastern Cherokee band membership roll, World War I Selective Service registration cards are also among the Appalachian Collection's microfilmed primary resources.
