Bringing the past into the present for the future.
The Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society
Licklog Creek image courtesy of Karen Marcus
Who We Are
Established in 1984, The Swain County Genealogical and Historical Society purpose is to aid in the preservation of Family Bible Records, Military Records, Cemetery Records, and other genealogical and historical records. We want to promote interest and research in the study of History and Genealogy and to collect and preserve data relating to North Carolina and North Carolina families, particularly, but not limited to Swain, Macon, and Jackson Counties.
We explore the rich history of this area and its people, from the Cherokee Nation to early European settlers, and the generations that followed. We are dedicated to preserving and sharing the genealogical records and histories of these families, tracing the lineage of those who contributed to the county’s development. Whether you are tracing your own roots or discovering the area’s rich history, we invite you to explore the stories and people that have shaped Swain County.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - PLEASE JOIN US!
The Society hosts monthly meetings with programs related to genealogy, history and interests of Swain County and WNC.
We meet the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM, except when the date falls on a major holiday or otherwise noted.
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NO MEETING in JULY
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Meeting Place:
Swain County Business Education Center
45 East Ridge Drive, Bryson City, 28713
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The meetings are free and open to the public.
SCGHS RESEARCH CENTER
The SCGHS Center is resource rich with a wealth of family charts and history notebooks complied from individual research. We have an excellent collections of books, materials and other media related to the history of WNC, the local area with some from surrounding counties and states.
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In addition to Census microfilm of the county and some surrounding counties, we also have microfilmed editions of the Smoky Mountain Times, some of which date back to the 1890's!
NOTE: All materials are for on-site use only.
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​SCGHS Research Center
91 Brendle Street, Bryson City, NC, 28713
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Office Assistants
Verna Kirkland and Deborah Parish
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Contact
ph: (828) 488-2932 | email: swaingenealogysociety@gmail.com
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Open Monday - Friday | 8:30am-4:30pm
* Call before visiting to be sure library is open.
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Swain County History
In the 1600's and 1700's, the Cherokee people occupied 135,000 square miles of territory, including Western North Carolina. By the early 1800s, treaties began opening up parts of the region for settlement, revealing evidence of Cherokee habitation in early land records.
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In 1835, following the Cherokee’s removal through the Trail of Tears, the remaining land became open for settlers. Families like the Buchanans, Wiggins, and Higdons made their homes here. The creation of Swain County in 1871, along with the arrival of the railroad in 1884, spurred rapid development, and the county seat was renamed Bryson City in 1889.
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The early 1900's saw the rise of logging industries, but the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930's brought both growth and hardship. Construction authorized by the Tennessee Valley Authority of Fontana Dam in the 1940's flooded several towns, displacing many families and isolating parts of Swain County. Despite this, the region remained resilient, and the descendants of early settlers continue to call Swain County home.
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Today the national park, the reservation, and the TVA occupy roughly 280,000 acres of present day Swain County.