ABOUT US
About BCGHS
Who We Are: Guardians of Local Heritage.
Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society organized in 1985 to tell the story of Blount County’s history and their people through its writing and shared activities. Over 50 people met to form the society that quickly grew to over 300 in the first year. Since that time, 80 journals filled with genealogy and history of East Tennessee have been distributed to members from across the United States. Authors, researchers, lecturers, project organizers and many volunteers have all had a hand in the growth of the current society as it is today.
What we do
Preserving Blount County’s Stories for Future Generations.
BCGHS makes book and monetary donations to support the Blount County Public Library and maintains regular office hours to help library walk-in patrons with their genealogy and research.
The Blount County library covers not only Blount County, Tennessee but the following places and people: neighboring East Tennessee counties; Tennessee state during pre and post state period; North Carolina as a state and a territory; migration states (North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Maryland); and overseas emigration including Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Many people make up the history of Blount County; that is Native American; Black, African-American, and slaves; and people with a variety of religious beliefs and traditions. We have the books, microfilms, copies of original documents, study guides and indexes and basic How-to genealogy and instructional websites here at the Blount County Public Library. The Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society participates in the study and reporting on all these subjects and people.
Visitors to the library are simply amazed about the amount of materials available and pleasantly surprised at the friendly help received with whatever they are working on.
It is an inviting and visually open atmosphere and offers plenty of opportunity to work and take a break with a cafe in the library serving a light breakfast of bagels, muffins, fruit or lunch with soup, a sandwich or wrap.
A good selection of coffee, tea, soda and snacks is available all day, five days a week. The experience is so positive that everyone says they will be back to do more research and enjoy more time in the library.
Reach Out to Explore Your History with Us!
In every conceivable manner, the family is the link to our past, the bridge to our future.
— Alex Haley