Transylvania County was formed in 1861 from Henderson and Jackson Counties, but it had a long history before that date.  It was settled in the late 1700's as part of SC, became Walton County, GA in 1803, and was finally fought over and won by NC in 1811.

Transylvania (which means "across the woods") is known as the "Land of the Waterfalls" because of the 250 waterfalls in the county. Rivers and streams, mountains and woods all played a part in the settlement and development of the county.

NEW TRANSYLVANIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 

           Transylvania Heritage Coalition, Inc., the non-profit organization that currently operates the Transylvania Heritage Museum, proudly announces a new program of the Coalition. In keeping with its goal of stimulating interest in local history and encouraging individuals to participate in preserving local heritage, the Transylvania Genealogical Society (TGS) has been formed. 

           The first meeting of TGS will be held at 7 pm, Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Straus Park’s United Community Bank, Asheville Highway, Brevard. Anyone who is interested in researching and preserving their family lineage is invited to attend, whether a long-time genealogist or a beginner. Meetings will be held bi-monthly and are open to the public. 

Also a Genealogy Room will be opened to members for free and to the public for a small fee in the Transylvania Heritage Museum which is opening in late February at its new location, 189 West Main Street in Brevard, two driveways past the Brevard Post Office. Exact dates and times when the Genealogy Room will be open will be announced later.

Officers appointed for the first year of the Genealogical Society are: Yvonne McCall-Dickson, President; Linda Maxwell-Fisher, Vice-President; Linda Owen Anders, Secretary; and Cora Fowler Roess, Treasurer; Merle Anders, Webmaster. 

Annual membership in the Transylvania Genealogical Society is $25 per individual and $40 per family. Charter lifetime memberships are also available through June 30, 2010. Charter lifetime membership fees are according to current age of the individual: $50 for 80 years and up; $100 for 70-79; $150 for 60-69; $200 for 50-59; $250 for 40-49; $300 for 30-39; and $350 for 30 and under. 

Application and Pedigree Forms are required for each member. These forms will be available at the Society’s meeting on Feb. 9 or can be printed from the website,  www.transylvaniagenealogy.com   .  To contact TGS, call 828-884-2347 or email heritage@citcom.net .

Project Mission:

• Foster an online community of researchers working together to make Transylvania County history available to everyone.

• Provide online resources and information about additional references that will assist researchers.

• Promote sound preservation and research methods to make family discovery experiences more successful, meaningful and enjoyable.

Winter in Western North Carolina

Photo:  Photo courtesy of Arthur Raynolds in Lake Toxaway, NC.

I hope you enjoy your visit to our website. I am an experienced genealogist, doing researching for over thirty years. As soon as internet genealogy was available, I was using this new tool to share information. With an Associates degree in Business from Blue Ridge Community College, my career involved various marketing positions. Now retired, I am using my marketing experience to promote the Transylvania Heritage Museum. I also enjoy traveling with my husband, spoiling my grandchildren, and continuing my research. My families include: Bracken, Dunn, Galloway, Garren, Hall, Henderson, McCall, Owen, Wilson, and Wood.