WGS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity organization. Your contribution may be tax deductible under current federal law. Please check with your tax advisor. Our Publication 78 deductibility code is PC (public charity).
Note: Wilkes Genealogical Society, Inc. is an independent entity from the library. So, if you make a donation to the library we will not get your donation.
Ways to Give
Supporting the Wilkes Genealogical Society (WGS) enables us to expand our efforts in education, preservation, and the sharing of Wilkes County’s rich history. Your contributions provide vital funding for operations, workshops, and new programs that membership fees alone do not cover.
Financial Contributions
Online
The fastest way to support WGS is through a secure monetary donation.
By Check
Please make checks payable to WGS and mail to: WGS 215 10th Street
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Honorariums and Memorials
You may designate your gift in honor or memory of a loved one. After making your donation, please contact us with the name of the honoree. For living honorees, please provide their mailing address so WGS can send them an acknowledgment card.
Bequests
Ensure the future of genealogical research by including WGS in your will or trust. You can designate a specific dollar amount, property, or a percentage of your estate. To learn more about leaving a legacy gift, please contact us.
Donating Your Research & Digital Media
The WGS Bulletin & Blog
We are always seeking volunteers to share research and stories related to Wilkes County. If you are a writer or researcher, we invite you to publish your work in the WGS Bulletin or host a guest blog on our website.
Digital Genealogy Files
If you have compiled your family history in a genealogy program, we would love to add it to our digital collection.
- Format: We prefer GEDCOM files, but can accept most formats, including digital books.
- Privacy: Please “sanitize” your data to ensure it does not include living individuals or copyrighted material belonging to others.
Photo Scanning
Don’t let history fade away or be lost. If you have old photos—especially those in damaging “magnetic” plastic albums—we can help. Our volunteers are available to scan your photos to preserve them for future generations. Contact us to coordinate a scanning session.
Physical Donations & Heirlooms
Deciding what to do with a lifetime of collected research can be overwhelming. WGS is here to help you organize, evaluate, and execute a plan for your physical collection.
Guidelines for Physical Materials
All donations become the property of the Wilkes Genealogical Society, Inc. We accept materials that add new information to our collection and comply with privacy and copyright laws.
Commonly Accepted Items:
- Family Bibles & Histories: Well-organized records including titles and authors.
- Published & Unpublished Works: Local history books, biographies, and periodicals.
- Primary Records: Original certificates (birth, marriage, death), deeds, and probate records.
- Personal Documents: Journals, letters, obituaries, and newspaper clippings.
- Media: Video, audio, or written interviews.
Note on Photos: If donating physical photos, please use a #2 pencil to lightly label the back with names, dates, and locations.
Legal Permissions
To legally host or duplicate copyrighted materials, we require a completed General Donation Form and a Permission to Duplicate Form.
- [Download Donation Form (PDF)]
- [Download Permission Form (PDF)]
Leave a Published Legacy
WGS currently produces and sells over 60 unique publications. If you are interested in having your research formally published by the Society, please reach out to us.