First Families of Old Buncombe

The First Families of Old Buncombe committee in conjunction with the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society is continually accepting applications for membership! The purpose of this organization is to honor our pioneer ancestors who were the founding families of the western North Carolina area covered by Old Buncombe County, to identify and recognize the descendants of these families, and to promote and further research into the genealogical, cultural, and social history of the area.

Any person who can prove descent from a qualifying ancestor may apply for membership in First Families of Old Buncombe.

What constitutes a qualifying ancestor?

Any person who can be proven to have been in Old Buncombe County at any time between the formation of the county in 1792 and December 31, 1800, is a “qualifying ancestor”. This includes, but is not limited to:

A listing of all persons in the above documents is or will be available on our website (www.obcgs.com), or may be obtained via mail. The address to which a mail request should be submitted is listed on the membership & certificate application which follows. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany the request.

Application is solicited from any individual who can offer any proof that his/her ancestor was present in Old Buncombe County during the designated time period, regardless of the presence of the ancestor’s name on the above listings. The final decision to accept any proof submitted will lie with the FFOB committee, but in general, any public document will be accepted. Applicants should provide all information known about the qualifying ancestor on membership & certificate application and list the source of proof (i.e. 1800 census, etc.) on the first line of the proof document list.

What proofs of line of descent are required?

Applicants must present documented proof of each step of descent from the qualifying ancestor. Primary sources are preferred, but secondary sources will be accepted. Primary sources are defined as those documents which were created at the time of the event, such as a marriage bond or will. Secondary sources are defined as those created some time after the event, such as oral or local histories. Some examples of each are:

Primary Sources

Vital, Court, & Tax Records	Bible Records
Census Records	Military Records
Maps & Deeds	Newspapers
Wills, Probate & Estate Records	Institutional Records
Birth Records	Business Records
Death Records	Employment Records
Church & Cemetery Records	City Directories

A well-documented family history or genealogy book will be accepted for one generation/step only. Applicants are encouraged to submit more than one source for any step in which any proof other than a primary source is submitted. NO ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS are to be submitted, only photocopies or digital images. (Please be sure the submitted copy is readable!) While copies of original documents are preferred, transcripts and published abstracts are acceptable if accompanied by a copy of the title page. In the case of records which cannot be photocopied and for which no microfilm is available (for example, a land record in a sewn-in volume), a notarized statement that the transcription is genuine is acceptable. Certified copies are NOT required. The final decision regarding acceptance of any proof will be made by the FFOB committee on an individual basis. A special note: no information from the Internet or any County Heritage Book or the LDS records will be accepted without accompanying documentation. Family group sheets submitted without accompanying documentation of the information on the sheet are not accepted as documentation.

What happens to the documentation I submit to FFOB?

All documentation submitted with any application becomes the property of FFOB and OBCGS and will not be returned. However, all nonprivate information is placed in the society for the use of researchers. A separate file containing copies of all documentation will be accessible in the library. There will be a file for each proven ancestor containing the documentation submitted by all applicants under that ancestor. These files will be available for research. However, any private information will not be placed in these folders. No information on living persons will be available to the public. This includes birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. The applicant should indicate his/her preference regarding the sharing of his/her contact information with other researchers of the same surname/ancestor on the application.

May I use the same documentation as another applicant?

Once any ancestor has been proven, subsequent applications under that ancestor need provide proof only to a common ancestor in the line of descent. This must be indicated on the application. While each member will be listed with his qualifying ancestor, a note will be a made in the records of the first applicant to prove any ancestor. See the current list of qualifying ancestors who have descendants who are already members.

Upon acceptance for membership, the applicant will receive a handsome certificate suitable for framing bearing the name of the member and of the ancestor from whom he/she descends, as well as a distinctive lapel pin bearing the FFOB logo and name. A plaque will be placed in the OBCGS library bearing the name of each member of FFOB and the ancestor from whom the member descends. In addition, members will be recognized at the annual meeting in November of each year, and new members will be invited to participate in a special induction ceremony. Members may also serve as greeters at OBCGS meetings and as ambassadors to local functions and surrounding county genealogical and historical societies.

Who will be a Charter Member?

The FFOB committee will consider any person who submits an application for membership accompanied by the proper documentation on or prior to December 31, 2002 a charter member upon acceptance of the application. A special ceremony honoring those whose memberships have been approved will be held at the annual meeting in November 2002.

What is the cost of application?

Each application must be accompanied by a check or money order (NO CASH) in the amount of $25.00 made payable to the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society.

What if I have multiple qualifying ancestors?

A separate application including documentation and application fee must be submitted for each ancestor. Each member will receive a certificate and pin for each ancestor under which he is accepted for membership.

What are the future plans for FFOB?

The FFOB committee plans to compile a volume similar the Buncombe County Heritage Book. Each qualifying ancestor will be included in the volume in the form of an article containing information submitted by the applicants under that ancestor. Information on this volume will be available on the website, at the society, and in ALOB as it becomes available.

Where can I find more information?

For further information or to obtain brochures and/or application forms, you may also contact the FFOB committee at the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society Library in Innsbruck Mall or at 828-253-1894. Members will be delighted to visit any organization to present our program. (You may feel free to photocopy all parts of the application as well as this article, and to publish it in any publication such as your local genealogical society journal.)

Membership in First Families of Old Buncombe makes an excellent gift for any person in your family!!

Every effort will be made to process any application received by December 15 in time for Christmas giving. Please make a special note of this desire on the application.