Deadline for submissions is December 31, 2027
A Gift to the Future: Share Your Family Story at No Cost
A New Generation. A New Legacy.
It has been 35 years since The Heritage of Wilkes County, Volume II was published. Now it is time for a new generation to capture our “people’s history.” Whether your family has been here for two centuries or two decades—or your roots are in the “Original” Wilkes (Ashe, Alleghany, Alexander, Caldwell, Watauga, parts of Yancey, and land westward into Tennessee)—your story belongs in this volume.
Choose How You Share Your Story
Submitting is free. There is no limit to how many stories you may share.
Short Form
Best if you already have a story written. Paste your text (500–1,000 words) and submit.
Long Form
Best if you are not sure where to start. Guided prompts help you build the story step by step.
Sample story: The Nelson Coles Andrews Family
Prefer not to use the online forms? Email your story to admin@wilkesgenealogy.org, or drop it off at the Wilkes County Library Genealogy Room (215 10th Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659).
Why Your Story Matters
You don’t have to be a “writer” to be your family’s historian. History is built by everyday heroes—farmers, teachers, business leaders, and homemakers of Wilkes County. If you don’t record these memories now, they may be lost.
Don’t worry about perfect grammar. Our team provides editing and polishing at no cost so your submission can shine.
Spread the Word
Please share this page with friends, family, and neighbors—whether they still live in the “Original” Wilkes or have moved away. Their stories belong in this collection.
Submission Guidelines
- Cost: Completely free.
- Word count: 500–1,000 words per story.
- Format: Paragraphs only. We cannot accept outlines, lists, or charts.
- Deadline: December 31, 2027.
What to Write
Include a title (e.g., The Family of Silas Miller), vital statistics (dates, places, parentage), and life details (military, church, education). Most importantly, include colorful anecdotes and folklore.
Note: Your final paragraph must list your sources (Family Bible, census, wills, etc.).
Photos & Preservation
To keep photos archive-ready for our 9×12 hardbound volume:
- Quality: High-definition scans at 300 DPI are preferred. Many local photo centers provide this service.
- No snapshots: Do not take a standard cellphone photo of a physical picture; it creates glare and shadows.
- Use the right app: If using a phone, use Google PhotoScan to remove glare. Watch a short PhotoScan how-to video.
- Keep it authentic: Do not use AI enhancers or colorization tools. Preserve relatives exactly as they appear in the original. Further reading: Beyond the Filter: How AI Photo Restoration Is Silently Erasing Our History.
Memorials & Business Advertising
In addition to free family histories, dedicated memorial and tribute pages are available for The Heritage of Wilkes County, Vol. III—to honor loved ones or showcase local businesses.
Space is limited to 30 pages total. Spots are first-come, first-served.
Family Memorials & Tributes
Personal photos and family messages.
| Space Size | Total Spots Available | Description | Cost |
| Full Page | 8 Spots | Best for large or multiple portraits and longer tributes. | $100 |
| Half Page | 20 Spots | Best for honoring a couple or an everyday hero. | $50 |
Business Advertisements
Support local history while placing your brand in a book kept for generations.
| Space Size | Total Spots Available | Description | Cost |
| Full Page | 3 Spots | Major display for a large story or logo. | $500 |
| Half Page | 10 Spots | High visibility for business history and logos. | $250 |
| 1/4 Page | 8 Spots | Mid-sized space for logos and details. | $125 |
| 1/8 Page | 16 Spots | Business-card size. Simple and effective. | $75 |
Ready to Submit?
Choose a form to begin. Submissions are free through December 31, 2027.
Thank you for helping the Wilkes Genealogical Society, Inc. preserve the heart of the “Original” Wilkes County.