Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society introduces the 828 Digital Archives for Historical Equity & Buncombe County Enslaved/Free Persons of Color Database.  Ellen Holmes Pearson, UNC Asheville Professor of History, will discuss the Archives, an initiative that centers the voices of historically excluded individuals in the region to build a more comprehensive history of Western North Carolina. She will also review some of the ongoing 828 Digital Archive projects.  Ms. Lonnience Thomas, UNCA History Major, will discuss the OBCGS searchable database for enslaved/freed people in Buncombe County, 1794 -1868.  Dr Holmes is the Roy Carroll Professor of Arts & Sciences. 

Registration is required. There is no charge to attend. If you are unable to attend, register to receive a link to the recording which is sent 24 hours after the program.

Link to register: https://www.obcgs.com. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information to join the webinar. You are welcome to attend the viewing at our library. 

Program Hosts:  Cheryl Chasin, OBCGS Webinar Coordinator, and Cindy Jordan, President. Contact: info@obcgs.com.

 

If you would like to round out your historic book collection or look for old maps from your ancestors’ areas, plan a trip to the Atlanta Rare Book Fair at Oglethorpe University. Showcasing thousands of books, maps, prints and ephemera, this event brings together two dozen booksellers from around the country. There will be thousands of items available at a range of prices.

 

Buy tickets at AtlantaRareBookFair.

 

In conjunction with the Atlanta Rare Book Fair, plan to hear Kermit Roosevelt discuss how we can interpret America's 250 year history.

Kermit Roosevelt III is the David Berger Professor of the Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. He is a professor of constitutional law, the author of "The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America's Story", and the great-great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt.

In this talk, he will challenge the conventional narrative about America’s founding ideals. He will argue that the origin of American ideals of equality and liberty lie not with the Founding Fathers, but with the ideals of Reconstruction and Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, suggesting a pivot from the founders to figures like Lincoln, Thaddeus Stevens, and John Bingham for a more accurate and inspiring national identity.

Tickets cost $20 and include entry to the fair. Register at America250 Roosevelt.

 

As part of the America 250 anniversary celebration, Roswell welcomes Kermit Roosevelt III, great-great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt, for an afternoon reception and conversation on Roswell’s presidential legacy. Professor Roosevelt will discuss the Roosevelt family’s southern ancestry and influence. This lens will explore post-Civil War unification for an America preparing for the 20th century world stage. His recent book, “The Nation That Never Was, Reconstructing America’s Story”, will also be available for signature and discussion.

Kermit Roosevelt III is the David Berger Professor of the Administration of Justice at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. He is a professor of constitutional law, the author of "The Nation That Never Was: Reconstructing America's Story", and the great-great-grandson of President Theodore Roosevelt.

 

Tickets are $20 at krooseveltiii event.

 

Mark your calendars and save the date for RootsTech 2026!

RootsTech is the premier event to celebrate your heritage through a deeper understanding of family history and genealogy. This extremely popular hybrid event covers all the latest technology applicable to family researchers.

For details see www.RootsTech.org

Joe McGill is the author of Sleeping with the Ancestors, an account of The Slave Dwelling Project and his experiences sleeping in old, still extan slave quarters. He will describe how this project gave him a deeper understanding of the lives of the enslaved.

As the nation begins to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we also reflect on the individuals who contributed to the cause. Join us as staff genealogists from the National Society Daughters of the Amerian Revolution (DAR) and the National Society Sons of the American Revolutions (SAR) explore how to go about researching your Revolutionary War ancestor. Learn about what qualifies as service (spoiler: it's not just military service), how to go about finding these records, and what genealogical standards are expected when applying to these lineage societies.

Registration required. Go to www.spartanburglibraries.org for more information.

 

 

Join the Mecklenburg Historical Society to begin the series celebrating 250+ years of American Independence. Tom Phlegar will discuss the Revolutionary Campaigns of Charlotte and the Carolinas.

Social time begins at 6:30. The program starts at 7:00pm.

RSVP at meckdeck.org.