The following is an extract from the constitution of the Society and serves to illustrate the wide range of activities we are interested in. It explains why you will find a lot more than genealogy on this website.
“The purpose of this society shall be to bring together those people interested in genealogical and historical material in North Carolina and especially in Alleghany County. Understanding the genealogy and history of our community is basic to our democratic way of life, gives us a better understanding of our state and nation, and promotes a better appreciation of our American heritage.
“The society will function so as to discover and collect any material which may help to establish or illustrate the genealogy and history of the area: its exploration, settlement, development and activities in peace and in war; its progress in population, wealth, education, arts, science, agriculture, manufactures, trade, and transportation; and acquaint members with sources of genealogical materials in North Carolina and elsewhere. It will collect printed materials such as histories, genealogies, biographies, descriptions, gazetteers, directories, newspapers, pamphlets, catalogs, circulars, handbills, programs, and posters; manuscript materials such as letters, diaries, journals, memoranda, reminiscences, rosters, service records, account books, charts, surveys, and field books; and museum materials such as pictures, photographs, paintings, portraits, scenes, aboriginal relics, and material objects illustrative of life, conditions, events, and activities of the past and the present.
“The society will provide for the preservation of such material and for its accessibility, as far as may be feasible, to all who wish to examine or study it, to cooperate with officials in insuring the preservation and accessibility of the records and archives of the county and of its cities, towns, villages, and institutions.”
