A new book by Barbara McRae continues the story of Macon County -- as told in its official records -- through the Civil War.

Macon County, NC, Records, 1858-1865, takes up where the author’s earlier work (Records of Macon County NC, 1849-1858) left off. It covers the area now included in Macon County and much of present Swain County.

“The old deed books offer vital clues to the lives of people who otherwise left a meager paper trail,” McRae said. “The records are invaluable to historians and genealogists. They include land transactions, grants, powers of attorney, estate settlements, gifts, mortgages and slave transactions.”

About 1,700 individuals are named in the records included in this volume. The book is fully indexed. It is available for $25 at local outlets, or directly from the publisher.

The author has been a student of Macon County and regional history since the 1970s. She writes a weekly column, “Know Your County,” for the Franklin Press and has published several works of local history. For more information, visit the Teresita website at www.teresita.com or contact McRae by email at bamcrae@smnet.net.

 

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