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Our next program will be “Whispers in the Cemetery – the Stones Tell All” by Karen Marcus on Saturday, 20 July 2019 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm at the OBCGS Library. Karen will share some of the history and meanings of symbols found on gravestones in Western NC cemeteries. See the calendar listing for more details. The program is open to the public so plan to attend whether you’re a member or not!

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Abandoned and Neglected Cemeteries, Laws and Current Practices in Buncombe County, NC

Betsy Couzins, one of OBCGS’ library volunteers, has written a well-researched article on the local laws governing cemeteries in Buncombe County. She gave a professional presentation at the library’s Saturday program on March 23, 2019 covering the same information. You can retrieve a copy of her article here:

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New Books for Sale!

We are excited about our new genealogy books focused on Western North Carolina – now available in our bookstore! All proceeds of these book sales go to the support of our library and website so your purchases will benefit the Society for years to come. These books are available along with our other surplus books in …

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Researching Your African American Family History in North Carolina

Early Buncombe County slave deeds and cohabitation records have become available to the public on the Buncombe County website. The Register of Deeds office is very progressive and has made all kinds of vital records available publicly. They set a fine example for other municipalities and are making a huge difference in helping descendants trace …

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