Books for Further Research: The W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection owns multiple types of books useful for genealogist. Family histories are organized by surname and classified under the call number “CS.” Many counties also produce Heritage Books which include short (1/3–1 page) family and county histories. These are located in the oversize section of the Appalachian Collection. The census transcriptions and indices are found beside the microfilmed census records. Additional county-based books are grouped under the call number “F” and include transcribed 18th and 19th century county court documents, county histories, community histories, graveyard listings, and county-based genealogical journals. The Appalachian Collection also owns transcriptions of passenger ship records, military records, and Freedmen’s Bureau records.
County records: The Appalachian Collection owns most western North Carolina county records on microfilm. These records may include marriage records, indenture/apprentice records, bastardy bonds, lawsuits, adultery cases, divorce cases, emancipation suits, guardianship, land transferrals, road crew lists, jury lists, patroller lists, lunacy records, and criminal cases. NC State Archives in Raleigh own the original records.
Deeds: The Appalachian Collection owns land deeds for most Appalachian North Carolina counties. These are located in the microfilmed county records. Land deeds specify the date the grantee obtains a piece of land from a grantor and for what price. Deeds may indicate if the individuals owned additional land, what the transferred land is being used for, the land value, and the origins of the grantor. “Grantee” means the person who received the land; “grantor” means person sold or gave away the land; “mtg.” means mortgage. The government gives ‘land grants’ to citizens, especially if a citizen performed a military or civil service. Some county’s deed records include slave bills of sale.
Newspapers: The W. L. Eury Appalachian owns most historical newspapers from western North Carolina. Newspapers often list birth, death, and wedding announcements. They also list social activities and criminal activities of community members. The University Library also subscribes to searchable databases of newspaper articles, both current and historic. To access these newspaper databases, patrons must either be a campus member with an identification number or be using a campus computer.
School Board Records: The W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection owns a limited number of school board records which are located in the microfilmed county records. Information varies from county to county, year to year. Some list students, district committee members, local issues of the day. Others list only how much they paid the school board. The originals for North Carolina are located at NC State Archives in Raleigh.
School Records: The W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection Manuscript Collection contains a few school records. These include students’ ages, their grades, their guardians’ names, their attendance and some teachers’ comments (usually on weather). Unfortunately, most were destroyed.
Tax Records: The W. L. Eury Appalachian Collection Manuscript Collection contains original Watauga County tax records and a few additional transcribed county tax records. Historical tax records are difficult to locate because most were destroyed. Current records are available at courthouse. These provide a great deal of information about value of property. Taxable property has previously included land, sailboats, dogs, etc.