Research Places and Services

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Transylvania County Library 

North Carolina History Reference Room contains an extensive collection of genealogical references including local family history books and Cherokee genealogical information. Microfilm or paper copies of local newspaper, some as early as 1893, almost continuous coverage from 1908 to March 1960, March 1968 to present. Ask at desk for access to microfilm collection. Microfilm of local census records, 1800 to 1920, some court and land records, elections, church records, deeds and marriages are also available. The Historical Society and the Friends of the Library occasionally sponsor genealogical programs in the auditorium.

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Transylvania County Historical Society 

Dedicated to the preservation of the Allison-Deaver House and other preservation activity. To join send $20.00 to TCHS, PO Box 2061, Brevard, NC 28712. Note: TCHS is not a genealogical society - please do not send queries.

Another source is the Allison-Deaver House itself, one of the oldest standing frame houses in Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, owned and operated by the Transylvania County Historical Society. Granted to Revolutionary War veteran Waightstill Avery, the property is connected to the Johnson, Allison, Deaver and Patton families. More importantly, it reflects the lives and history of Transylvania County. The Allison-Deaver House Museum, located on Highway 280, Pisgah Forest, NC, is open weekends April through October: Friday, 1-4 pm; Saturday 10-4 pm; and Sunday 1-4 pm.

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Transylvania Heritage Museum 

Free admission; donations appreciated.

The Transylvania Heritage Museum features permanent and changing displays of heirlooms, artifacts, genealogical exhibits, vintage photographs, and other exhibits reflective of the history and heritage of the Transylvania County.

Events throughout the year include:

  * 2nd Saturday Special Programs
  * Black History Month celebration
  * Heart of Brevard Festivals
  * Fourth Friday Gallery Walks
  * Founders Day Festival, Labor Day weekend
  * Tours outside the Museum
  * Cemetery cleaning
  * Sponsorship of Street Dances
  * Demonstrations of Old-Timey Crafts
  * Traveling Trunks for Schools
  * and much, much more!

The Heritage Gifts shop supports the museum with sales of local crafts including pottery, art, quilted items, old-fashioned toys, music and books about the region.

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Transylvania County Government 

Courthouse, 12 East Main Street, Brevard, NC 28712, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm

Register of Deeds OfficeLand Deeds, Birth & Death records from the last quarter of 1913, Delayed Birth Certificates, Marriage Records (Keep in mind that during the early years following official record keeping, not everyone was reporting deaths and births.)

Clerk of Courts OfficeRecords available in the office include court proceedings, wills, estate administration records, and special proceedings. Records are easily accessible, however some of the older records, including wills and estate records, have been sent to Raleigh due to space limitations.

• Deeds beginning in 1861

• Will from 1881 (Some earlier wills have been collected in a notebook of photocopies as "Will Book 1". Online Transcriptions available).

• Marriages - Note that marriages from 1861 to 1900 are only listed in the Index. Licenses after that date are relatively complete, but some are missing.

• Births from 1914 - though some earlier births were later recorded as Delayed Birth Certificates.

• Deaths from 1913

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General County Information Links 

• Chamber of Commerce
• Transylvania County Schools - "Teaching everyone takes everyone."
• Blue Ridge Community College - Serving Henderson and Transylvania Counties.
• Brevard College
• Brevard/Transylvania Tourism Development Authority
• Brevard City Information
• Transylvania County Churches - A list of contact information for current congregations
• Transylvania County, North Carolina Quick Facts

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NC Archives: Western Region

 The Western Regional Archives (WRA) collects, preserves, and makes available for public use historical and evidential materials relating to western North Carolina. The WRA is administered by the State Archives of North Carolina and operates under North Carolina General Statutes 121 and 132 in carrying out its archival mission and programs. The holdings consist primarily of private collections and some microfilmed county records.

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