We are excited about our new history and genealogy books focused on Western North Carolina listed below. They are now available in our eBay bookstore.
You can order our books online in our eBay store: Click here for our eBay Bookstore. You can search by name, author or subject by using the white search box at the top of the eBay bookstore page. 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. If you have any questions, please call us at 828-253-1894.
Here is the list of our newest books for sale (since Jan 2023):
Jonas Jenkins, Sr. Family of WNC Volume I, Winifred, Mary and Unproven Children, by Merrell Jenkins Riddle, Ed.D. Originally published in 2020 by Riddle Genealogical Enterprises, this book is being republished in 2026 by OBCGS. It provides a brief history of Jonas Jenkins, Sr. but then focuses on his daughter Winifred Jenkins who married Washington Zachariah Stiles, Mary Jenkins who married Cornelius S. Sutton, and three unproven children – Aletha Jenkins who married John Sutton, C. Washington Jenkins who married Elizabeth J. Kuykendall and Eliza Jane Cochran, and Elijah Jenkins who married Mary Ann Messer. Sources are well documented. This book has 244 pages with ring binding, a section of documents and a full name index. Among numerous other WNC names are Ball, Hyde, Phillips and Williams, to name a few. Price: $35.00 NC Tax: $2.45 P&H: $8.00 (Item # G- 19)
BACK IN PRINT! Jenkins, Jonas Jenkins, Sr. Family of WNC, Volume III, Jonas Jenkins, Jr. Family, by Merrell Jenkins Riddle, Ed.D. Originally published in 2017, the book is being republished by OBCGS in 2026. It provides a brief history of the Jonas Jenkins, Sr. family but is primarily about the Jonas Jenkins, Jr. who married Margaret Juliet Sellers and Rachel Hyde. Other WNC surnames include Barnes, Beasley, Cable, Carringer, Cody, Crisp, Holder, Holland, Orr, and Williams among many others. Sources are well documented. There are 429 pages in this ring bound book with illustrations, documents, & a full name index. Price: $40.00 NC Tax: $2.80 P&H: $8.00 (Item # F-14)
BACK in PRINT! Jenkins – Jonas Jenkins, Sr. Family of WNC, Volume IV, John Jenkins Family, by Merrell Jenkins Riddle, Ed.D. First published in 2017, this book is being republished by OBCGS in 2026. It follows the Jonas Jenkins & Mary Brickey family from VA to Cocke County, TN, Haywood County and finally Swain County, NC. Chapter one provides a brief history of Jonas Jenkins, Sr. but the rest of the book is about their 5th child, John Jenkins, who married Mary Nations. Other WNC surnames include Ash, Carson, Davis, Green, Howard, Hyde, Smith, and Welch among many others. It has 383 pages, is ring bound, well-sourced and includes family pictures, documents and a full name index included. Price: $40.00 NC Tax: $2.80 P&H: $8.00 (Item # F-09)
Butterfly Biographies Volume IV, George Thomas Langley and the Langleys of Nash County, North Carolina, by Wes Patterson, (2026). Wes has dedicated this book to his grandmother, Lettie Mae Langley. His dedication page is a story of its own! What a strong woman she was! It traces his family back to Oswell Langley, born in the late 1700s in Virginia. He died in Edgecombe County, NC. As with his other Butterfly Biographies, Wes includes many illustrations, QR codes and documents. To help the reader understand the “intertwined roots” of the Langley family, he includes two fold out charts. Other families include Baker, Davis, Joyner, McGhee, Pittman, and Williams among others. Even if you are not a member of this family you will enjoy reading their story. There are 390 pages and it is fully indexed. Price: $55.00 NC Tax: $3.85 P&H: $8.00 (Item # C-02)
Butterfly Biographies Vol. III – Wesley Davis of Carthage, Moore County, NC, by Wes Patterson (2026). This book is 462 pages and includes many pictures, maps and even 4 foldout ancestor charts. Wes follows his Mother’s side of the family and explains their connection with the families of Shields, Hilliard, Barber and others. Well sourced. There is a full name index and QR codes allow you to view some of his sources. Many of the photos are in color. Price: $55.00, NC Tax: $3.85, P&H: $9.00 (Item # E-22)
Memories of a Bear Creek Boy, by James A. Black, Jr. (2025). James grew up on Bear Creek and he shares what everyday life was like for a young boy on Bear Creek including his adventures with brother Dewey and sisters, Mary, Nelline, and Jane. He includes pictures of his classmates at Old West Buncombe School. There are 52 pages, a full name index, pictures of the family and family group sheets for the Black, Sharpe, & Rice families. Price: $15.00, NC Tax: $1.05, P&H: $6.00 (Item # G-18)
Newfound Baptist Church Minutes 1866-1915, Vol. II, edited by Tammy McKay (2025). This is the second volume of the Newfound Baptist Church Minutes. The first volume covers 1802-1865. This soft bound book is a transcription of the original church minutes for this historic church, said to be the oldest Baptist Church in the area. The 214-page book is a wonderful resource for information on early settlers. There are several membership lists as well as names of the church leaders making this an important resource since the 1890 census is missing. Women are listed separately on some lists and most are listed with their given name. There is a full name index. Price: $30.00, NC Tax: $2.10, P&H: $7.00 (Item # D-26)
Volume I by Wes Patterson is also for sale. Price: $30.00, NC Tax: $2.10, P&H: $7.00, (Item # B-6)
A Mosaic of Memories, by OBCGS Writers Group (2025). We are excited to present this new book! Members of the OBCGS Writers Group meet via Zoom once a month to share and support each other as they venture into publishing a book. Recently some members took a challenge to write a few pages about one person – not a whole book. These submissions have been combined into a book of memories and a lot of family research. Surnames include – Anderson, Bell, Bellinger, Berry, Boyd, Britain, Bull, Burleson, Campbell, Carpenter, Case, Chapman, Chastain, Clark, Constantino, Cox, Curtis, Eubanks, Gillespie, Gilmore, Gudger, Hammond, Hawkins, Holton, Hudspeth, Hutchinson, Jarmon, Jordan, Justice, Lake, Langley, Lance, Leicester, Lyda, Maren, Mason, McCurry, McElreth, McLean, Miller, Moore, Norton, Owenby, Painter, Radford, Revis, Roederer, Smoak, Stevens, Surrett, Thomas, Wagner, Williams, Winfree, Withrow, and Wright. Each author has also written a short bio so that you can become acquainted with them. These bios are a testament to the variety of backgrounds and interests of each author resulting in this fascinating book.
This book is enjoyable reading and may just provide that research fact you have been seeking. The authors were impressed with the strength of their ancestors, especially the women. They hope to publish another volume and invite other members of this Writers Group to join them. Perhaps YOU will be inspired to join them in writing your own story. Contact us at info@obcgs.com. The book has 178 pags., is illustrated, in color and indexed. Price: $18.00, NC Tax: $1.26, P&H: $7.00. If you order multiple copies, the P&H will be priced by the box, not the book.
Remember Me and Forget Me Not, James Henderson – Haywood County, NC Civil War Letter Collection, by Linda B. Brown, (2025). James Henderson & his wife saved letters they exchanged during his time in the Civil War. Linda has taken those letters and made them available to us. Reading the letters gives us a firsthand account of life during this time. Linda spent hours researching the history surrounding these letters and provides an in-depth look at that history. The book is well-sourced and illustrated. Whether you are related to this family or not, you will gain a real appreciation of how the war impacted life for residents of these mountains. The book has 202 pages, ring bound, indexed. Price: $20.00, NC Tax: $1.40, P&H: $7.00 (Item G-17)
BACK IN PRINT! Mystical Madison, The History of a Mountain Region, by Milton Ready (2025). Dr. Milton Ready, a retired professor of history lived in the WNC mountains near Mars Hill. He published this book back in 2011 and has graciously allowed OBCGS to republish and sell it. Mystical Madison traces the history of this region from the earliest frontier days to its place in modern society. 256 pages, index. Price: $25.00 NC Tax: $1.75 P&H: $7.00 (Item # F-05)
Here Today Gone Tomorrow, A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting & Preserving Your Family History from the Unexpected, by Barbara C. Beauregard (2025). Barbara is a professional genealogist who knows the importance of preserving your research. “This book offers a clear, step-by-step plan to help you protect, organize, and secure your research – ensuring it endures for generations to come.” Price: $14.99, NC Tax: $1.05, P&H: $6 (Item # A-33)
The Clayton Clique, The Descendants of George Clayton, (1723-1786) Part I and Part II, by Virginia S. Green (1995). This new book available through OBCGS was produced by Virginia Green back in 1995 as she researched the Clayton line for joining the DAR. She accumulated so many documents on George Clayton she decided to preserve that research in this two-part book. Part One covers the first eight generations and Part Two covers generations 9-12. You need to purchase the set. Part One is 248 pages, Part Two is 282 pages. Both books have an index. Price for set of two books: $45.00 NC Tax: $3.15 P&H: $9.00 (Item # E-29)
BACK IN PRINT! Jenkins – Jonus Jenkins, Sr. Family of WNC, Volume IV, John Jenkins Family, by Merrell Jenkins Riddle, Ed.D. (2017). Republished by OBCGS in 2025, this book follows the Jonas Jenkins & Mary Brickey family from VA to Cocke County, TN, Haywood County and finally Swain County, NC. Chapter one provides a brief history of Jonus Jenkins, Sr. but the rest of the book is about their 5th child John Jenkins. It is well-sourced and includes family pictures and documents. 383 pages, ring bound, full name index included. Price: $40.00, NC Tax: $2.80, P&H: $8.00 (Item # F-09)
NORA, the Biography and Heritage of Nora Lee Guthrie Sheppard, 1908-2006, by E. Virginia Lapham (2025). Nora Guthrie, born 1908, grew up in Madison County, NC. She remembered the first car in Marshall and witnessed the 1916 flood. In fact, her Dad and Aunt were the only two fatalities in the flood. The book follows Nora’s life as she married in Michigan and raised three daughters while adapting to life changes and dying at 98 years old. The story is told in Nora’s own voice by her daughter based on the stories she heard from her Mom over the years. Local families include Guthrie, Briggs, Ball, Candler and Crane. Life in Madison County is a feature of this book, including lots of pictures and a personal account of the 1916 flood written by Nora’s older brother Herman Guthrie. 107 pages, index, ring bound. Price: $15.00, NC Tax: $1.05, P&H: $7.00, (Item # G-16)
Back in Print! The Clayton Clique, The Descendants of George Clayton, (1723-1786) Part I and Part II, by Virginia S. Green (1995). Green published this book back in 1995 as she researched the Clayton line for joining the DAR. She accumulated so many documents on George Clayton she decided to preserve that research in this two-part book. The first part covers the first eight generations and the second part covers generations 9-12. You need to purchase the set. Part I is 248 pages and Part II is 282 pages. Both books have an index. Price for the set of TWO books: $45.00 NC Tax: $3.15 P&H: $9.00 (E-29)
A Heritage Revealed, The Early Biddick Family of Southwest England, Second Edition, by Randy Biddix (2025).
This second edition is the result of further research by the author. Randy Biddix has visited England again and documents some unexpected findings to his research in this edition. He first published a book about his 5th great grandfather, John Bittick, who came to America from the British Isles sometime before 1753. It is titled A Legacy That Endures. This book expands on the earlier research by tracing the origins of the family back to England. A number of records which explore the surname and its usage, locations and movements, occupations, and the likely progenitor of the family back to the 12th Century are presented. A detailed review of the parish records and a Y-DNA analysis are also highlighted. Original research for this book was conducted in England by the author. There are 130 pages including a number of pictures, maps, graphics, and documents. The book is soft bound, sources well documented, and it includes an every-name index. Price: $32.00 NC Tax: $2.24, P&H: $8.00 (Item # D-32)
Buncombe County, NC Court Records, Volume 4 – A, Sandra Samz, Editor (2025). From the beginning of each county in North Carolina, until 1868, the county court was the first place the citizens went to conduct business with the county or state. Besides handling civil and criminal cases, the county court granted licenses, probated deeds and wills, appointed administrators and guardians, elected the county officers, and formed road juries. The court also levied taxes, set fees, bound orphaned children, and supported the needy. This volume covers the period of January 1835 through October 1839. The transcription was made from the microfilm available on www.familysearch.org. The original document is identified for easy access. 377 Pages. Fully indexed and includes a glossary. Price: $45.00, NC Tax: $3.15, P&H: $8.00 (Item # D-18 )
NOTE! We also have the following Buncombe County Court Records books for sale:
Volume 1 (April 1792 – 1804) for $35.00, NC Tax: $2.45, P&H: $6.00 Item # A-30
Volume 2 (April 1798–July 1812) ON SALE for $45.00, NC Tax: $3.15, P&H: $7.00 Item # A-31
Volume 3 (1820 – 1834) ON SALE for $45.00, NC Tax: $3.15, P&H: $8.00 Item # B-43
Volume 5 (July 1854 – Oct. 1859) ON SALE for $45.00, NC Tax: $3.15, P&H: $7.00 Item # B-38
Volume 6 (Jan. 1860 – June 1868) ON SALE for $45.00. NC Tax: $3.15, P&H: $7.00 Item # D-07
When Violence Came to the Mountains, History of The Third North Carolina Mounted Infantry,
June 1864-August 1865, by David P. Smith (2024). This is the second book by David Smith on the two Federal Army regiments raised in the mountains of WNC. David describes the impact on WNC by the 3rd NCMI, under the leadership of George Washington Kirk. He states that he focused on separating fact from
fiction. He identified the men involved, where they were from and what they were like. “I had to stay to the facts that I could find and if it was a well-known event, but not supported by facts, then I left it out, rather than embellish something I could not prove.” If you follow Civil War history this is a great resource. 412 pages, soft bound, Illustrated, full name index. Price: $30.00, NC Tax: $2.10, P&H: $8.00
Cemeteries in Little River Township, by Transylvania County Cemetery Board of Trustees. Little River was one of the earliest communities in Transylvania County, NC. This book documents 11 Cemeteries found in this community. You may think this information is on the Internet, but this book goes beyond that. First, there is a history of Little River including what happened when electricity came to the area and the damming of Little River that created Cascade Lake. Each cemetery has a little background/history and pictures of people and markers. They have gone further to document notes about the burials and about unmarked burials in some cemeteries. While there is no index, there is a page explaining how to use the book. 85 pages, ring bound, color or black & white. You may order the book from our eBay bookstore, by mail or in our library.
Color: $30.00, NC Tax: $2.10, P&H: $6.00
Black & White: $20.00, NC Tax: $1.40, P&H: $6.00
Haywood County, North Carolina Court Records, Vol 4, 1834 – 1838, transcribed by Ann Marie Broadbent (2024). This transcription was made from the original microfilm of the Haywood County NC Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. The microfilm image number for each image is provided so that the researchers may refer to the original image at familysearch.org. Includes a Glossary and a full name index. Price: $25.00, NC Tax: $1.75, P&H: $6.00
Elijah Chastain of Caney Fork, Haywood County, North Carolina, by Wes Patterson (2024). This is the second volume of “Butterfly Biographies,” a series of books on the authors ancestors. Eilijah Chastain was the great-grandson of French Huguenot Dr. Pierre Chastain, the original Chastain immigrant. Wes Patterson is Elijah’s 4th Great Grandson. Elijah was married three times and the father of at least 23 children. His three wives were Hannah Adams, Anna Middleton and Catherine Carson. The book is well sourced and includes maps, pictures and QR codes making it possible for you to “visit” many locations. A few of the other surnames in the book are Patterson, Denton, Kincaids, Cowards, Carson, Middleton, Nicholson, and Akins. With 23 children there are many more. 422 pages, ring bound, full name index. Price: $45.00, NC Tax: $3.15, P&H: $8.00. (Item # G-12)
Descendants of Jacob Wetzel of North Carolina, by Edward D. Bolden (August 2024). This book combines good old-fashioned research with the use of DNA to prove his ancestor Jacob Wetzel was his sixth Great Grandfather. Jacob died between 1824 when he wrote his will and 1836 when his inventory was presented in Buncombe County Court. It includes both original documents as well as transcription of original documents. Many early WNC settlers are mentioned. Extensive research and well sourced. 204 pages, spiral bound, full name index. Price: $35.00, NC Tax: $2.45, P&H: $7.00 (Item # G-11)
Dateline: Small-Town, USA – My years as Editor & Publisher of Small-town Newspapers and How I Got There, by Clint Parker (2024). Clint grew up in the Deaverview & Emma sections of Buncombe County & shares his life as a young man through his time as the editor of two newspapers and finally as a resident of Madison County. Perhaps the book is best described by Jerry VeHaun, former Woodfin Mayor & Former Buncombe County EMS Director – the stories “offer a glimpse into the heart and soul of the local area’s history along with never-before-revealed insight into the person who informed newspapers regularly.” 216 pages, soft bound. Price: $19.99, NC Tax: $1.40, P&H: $6.00 (Item # G-10)
Life’s Little Dash: The Life and Times of Alexander Wiseman, by Tense Franklin Banks & Marie White Bost (2020). William Wiseman was born in England and came to America in 1754. He settled in the Toe River Valley and raised his family there. His son, Alexander, inherited his father’s estate and this book documents his descendants in Avery County, NC. Contains many photographs, newspaper articles, and images of original documents. It provides a real insight into the time period. 201 pages, soft bound, illustrated, a good table of contents but no index. Price: $30.00, NC Tax: $2.10, P&H: $7.00 (Item # G-09)
African American History of Kenilworth, NC, by Linda B. Brown (2024). Linda was driven by a desire to preserve the history of this African American community. Her previous book looked at the South Asheville Cemetery, but this one looks at the entire community including Brackett Town, Clayton Hill and Clayton Town. Intensive research that is well sourced. 275 pages, ring bound, index and illustrated. Price: $35.00, NC Tax: $2.45, P&H: $8.00 (Item # G-08)
The Whole Country Has Gone Up, History of the Second North Carolina Mounted Infantry, October 1863 – August 1865, by David P. Smith (2024). There were two regiments of the Federal Army raised in the mountains of western North Carolina and Tennessee in 1863. This book focuses on the Second NC Mounted Infantry but also includes documentation for the Third NC Mounted Infantry due to their entanglement in history. Smith was driven by a desire to tell the truth about these regiments and the men who served in them. Not only does he tell the regiment history, he also provides details about the men who served. Sources are well documented and there is an index in this 4ll page book. Price: $29.95, NC Tax: $2.10, P&H: $8.00
Fear In North Carolina – The Civil War Journals and Letters of The Henry Family, compiled and edited by Karen L. Clinard and Richard Russell (2008), reprinted by OBCGS (2024). This book compiles Cornelia Henry’s three journals, written between 1861 and 1868, into a single volume, supplemented with additional family letters, documents and photos. Newspaper advertisements and period photos provide historical perspective. The journals provide an excellent source of information on Western North Carolina prior to, during and following the Civil War. Her writings express her thoughts and fears as she describes her daily routines, rumors and news of the war, raids, and occupation of Asheville by Union troops, and finally, troublesome times after the war. These entries also provide genealogical information for families living in the Sulphur Springs/West Asheville area during that time, information not available in typical genealogical sources. (Item # G-02) 442 pages, sb, illustrated, full name index. Price: $50.00, NC Tax: $3.50, P&H: $8.00
John Patterson of Jenkins Branch, Buncombe County, North Carolina, by Wes Patterson (2024) This is the first Volume of the “Butterfly Biographies,” a series of books on the Patterson family. This first volume addresses John Patterson, the author’s 4th Great Grandfather. John Patterson married Margaret “Peggy” Black in South Carolina and they had seven children. By 1798 they were in Buncombe County. Their neighbors there and in Haywood County include many well-known WNC families. The family migrated to Union County, GA and that is where John died. There are many images including maps identifying the location of the Patterson family. Wes also provides QR codes that allow you to “visit” many locations in person. A few of the other surnames in this book include Kincaid, Dunkin, Wilson, Chastain and Denton. Sources are well documented. (Item # G-03) 405 pages, sb, full name index. Price: $55.00, NC Tax: $3.85, P&H: $8.00
John Paul Barringer Family of Cabarrus Co., NC and Its Connection with The Chariker Family of Graham Co., NC and York Co., SC, Volume 1 (The Chariker Concentration), edited by Larry O Nichols, Sr. (2024). Doug Sigmon and Larry Nichols worked together on several family history books over the years. When Doug passed away, they were working on this branch of the Barringer family. Larry has finished the book and divided it into two volumes. This first volume focuses on the Barringer/Chariker family relationships. They trace the family from Germany in the 1600’s to North Carolina and points west. Among other surnames of interest in this volume are Brock. Eisenmann, Funkhouser, Gibson, Harrison, Martin, Nivens, Orr, Wuethrich, Bost and Smith. (Item # G-04) 334 pages, sb, full name index. Price: $36.00, NC Tax: $2.52, P&H: $8.00
John Paul Barringer Family of Cabarrus Co., NC and Its Connection with the Chariker Family of Graham Co., NC and York Co., SC, Volume 2 (The Barringer Concentration), edited by Larry O. Nichols (2024). Volume 2 of the John Paul Barringer family book concentrates on the Barringer family and their connections with the Jacob Alfred Smith family. John Paul Barringer’s daughter Leah married first David Holton & then Jacob Alfred Smith in 1820 in Cabarrus County, NC. (Item # G-05) 402 pages, sb, full name index, Price: $36.00, NC Tax: $2.52, P&H: $8.00 P&H for both volumes bought together is $10.00.
The Coleman Family of 36 Montford Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina, by Jane Zimmermann
Slaton and Sandra Samz, (2024). The Coleman family lived in the historic district of Montford in Asheville, NC from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s. Their home was at the entrance to Montford Avenue and was sometimes referred to as a “castle.” This book shares their story through personal family letters and photographs, but names of other Asheville residents are mentioned in the letters. We also have a glimpse of life in Asheville during this time – the paving of streets, the flu epidemic, the celebration of the end of WWI. The family story is combined with the story of the home and its fate. Softbound book of 144 pages, illustrated, full name index. Price: $25.00, NC Tax: $1.75, P&H: $7.00 (Item # G-01)
