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, your story is a vital thread in the fabric of the “Original” Wilkes County.
✍️ Choose How You Share Your Story
We offer two ways to submit your history. Submitting your story is entirely free, and there is no limit to the number of entries you may share.
- The Short Form (Fast & Simple): Best if you already have a story written. Simply copy and paste your text (500–1,000 words) into the form.
- The Long Form (Guided Journey): Best if you aren’t sure where to start. We will guide you with prompts about genealogical facts, narratives & anecdotes, and sources to build your story step-by-step.
[Click here to see a Sample Story]
Special Tributes & Business Advertising Section
In addition to our free family histories, we are offering dedicated Memorial and Tribute pages for The Heritage of Wilkes County, Vol. III. These beautiful layouts are designed to honor loved ones or showcase local businesses with prominent photos.
Space is limited to 30 pages total. Spots are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
👨👩👧👦 Family Memorials & Tributes
These spots are reserved for personal photos and family messages.
| Space Size | Total Spots Available | Description | Cost |
| Full Page | 8 Spots | Best for large or multiple portraits and long stories. | $100 – purchase |
| Half Page | 20 Spots | Best for honoring a couple or an “Everyday Hero.” | $50 – purchase |
[Click here to see Sample Memorial Images]
🏢 Business Advertisements
Support our local history while putting your brand in a book that will be kept for generations.
| Space Size | Total Spots Available | Description | Cost |
| Full Page | 3 Spots | Major display for a big story or large logo. | $500 – purchase |
| Half Page | 10 Spots | High visibility for business history and logos. | $250 – purchase |
| 1/4 Page | 8 Spots | Mid-sized space for logos and details. | $125 – purchase |
| 1/8 Page | 16 Spots | Business Cards. Simple and effective. | $75 – purchase |
🌟 Why Your Story Matters
You don’t have to be a “writer” to be your family’s historian. History is built by Everyday Heroes—the farmers, teachers, the business leaders, and homemakers of Wilkes County. If you don’t record your family’s memories today, they may be lost forever.
Don’t worry about perfect grammar or style; the most important thing is to get your story out. Because we believe every family’s history deserves to be told, our team provides editing and polishing at no cost to you to ensure your submission shines. Be the one who preserves your family legacy for the next 100 years.
📢 Spread the Word
The success of Volume III depends on our community. Please share this page with your friends, family, and neighbors. Whether they still live in the “Original” Wilkes or have moved away, their stories belong in this collection. Help us ensure no family is left out of this landmark volume.
📜 Submission Guidelines
- Cost: Submitting your family’s written history is completely free.
- Word Count: 500–1,000 words per story.
- Format: Paragraphs only. We cannot accept outlines, lists, or charts.
- Deadline: December 30, 2026.
💡 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 ensure your photos are “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 the Google PhotoScan app to remove glare automatically. Check out this .
- Keep it Authentic: Do not use AI enhancers or colorization tools. We want to preserve your relatives exactly as they appear in the original source.
Ready to make history? Choose one of the forms above to begin.
Thank you for helping the Wilkes Genealogical Society, Inc. preserve the heart and soul of the “Original” Wilkes County.