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South Carolina Genealogy

South Carolina Genealogy Facts

Following exploration of the coast in 1521 by Francisco de Gordillo, the Spanish tried unsuccessfully to establish a colony near present-day Georgetown in 1526, and the French also failed to colonize Parris Island near Fort Royal in 1562. The first English settlement was made in 1670 at Albemarle Point on the Ashley River, but poor conditions drove the settlers to the site of Charleston (originally called Charles Town). South Carolina, officially separated from North Carolina in 1729.

  • South Carolina entered the union as the 8th state on May 23, 1788.
  • South Carolina has 46 Counties
  • South Carolina’s capital is Columbia and the official state website is www.sc.gov/.
  • South Carolina is bordered by Georgia (southwest), North Carolina (north)
  • South Carolina has a land area of 32,007 square miles making it the 40th largest state.
  • South Carolina’s 2010 population was 4,679,230 .
  • South Carolina  largest cities (2010) are Columbia (Capital), 129,272; Charleston , 120,083; North Charleston, 97,471; Rock Hill, 66,154; ; Greenville, 58,409; Sumter, 40,524; Florence 37,056, Spartanburg, 37,013; Goose Creek, 35,938; Aiken, 29,524.
  • South Carolina was named to honor King Charles I (Carolus is Latin for Charles) .
  • South Carolina’s nickname is ” Palmetto State “
  • South Carolina State Motto is ” Dum Spiro Spero ” which means While I breathe, I hope .

South Carolina County Genealogy

Successful research in South Carolina requires an understanding of the unique and complex development of its local government and jurisdictions. Unlike the other twelve British colonies, South Carolina did not form counties or towns during the colonial period.

While many present-day counties were established geographically between 1785 and 1799, the counties created during that period did not keep records or function as local governments equally. The county did not become the highest level of local government throughout South Carolina until 1800.

Select a County Below

COUNTY PAGES UNDER CONSTRUCTION

South Carolina has counties that no longer exist. They were established by the state, provincial, or territorial government. Most of these counties were created and disbanded in the 19th century; county boundaries have changed little since 1900 in the vast majority of states. These counties need to be looked at when doing genealogy research. Pay close attention where the courthouse records went to if the county was abolished or combined with another county.

  • Bartholomew County Formed in 1785 From Charleston District (Extinct)
  • Berkeley County Formed in 1682 Proprietary “County”, Extinct
  • Claremont County Formed in 1785 From Camden District
  • Colleton County Formed in 1682 Proprietary “County”, Extinct
  • Craven County Formed in 1682 Proprietary “County”, Extinct GranvilleFormed in 1684 Proprietary “County”, Extinct
  • Granville County County Formed in 1785 From Beaufort District (Extinct, never functioned)
  • Hilton County Formed in 1785 From Beaufort District (Extinct, never functioned)
  • Kingston County Formed in 1785 From Georgetown District (Early version of Horry County)
  • Lewisburg County Formed in 1785 From Orangeburg District
  • Liberty County Formed in 1785 From Georgetown District (Early version of Marion County)
  • Lincoln County Formed in 1785 From Beaufort District (Extinct, never functioned)
  • Marion County Formed in 1785 From Charleston District (Extinct, never functioned)
  • Orange County Formed in 1785 fromOrangeburg District
  • Pendleton County Formed in 1789 From Indian land (Extinct, never functioned)
  • Salem County Formed in 1791 From Claremont and Clarendon (Extinct)
  • Shrewsbury County Formed in 1785 From Beaufort District (Extinct, never functioned)
  • Washington County Formed in 1785 From Charleston District (Extinct)
  • Winton County Formed in 1785 From Orangeburg District
  • Winyah County County Formed in 1785 From Georgetown District (Early version of Georgetown County)
  • Pendleton County Abolished when divided into Anderson and Pickens District in 1826. Records are located in Anderson County
  • Winston County Functioned from 1785-1800. The remaining records (1785-1791) are in Barnwell County. Renamed Barnwell District in 1800

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South Carolina Genealogy Links

See South Carolina County Genealogy for County Links. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some are have free access some require a payment. This is just a list that has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to submit your own favorite genealogy or family history related sites.

South Carolina State History

South Carolina is one of the original states of the United States of America. South Carolina became the eighth state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1788, and in 1790 moved its seat of government from Charleston to the new city of Columbia in the state’s midlands. For most of the state’s history, county officers had very little power or authority. Counties were essentially governed by their state legislative delegations. This system ended in 1975 when the Home Rule Act was passed. Each county now has a choice of one of four types of government. In the council form of government all executive and legislative power rests in the elected county council, while the council-supervisor form provides for an elected council and an elected supervisor with specified powers and duties. In both the council-administrator and council-manager forms the administrator or manager is appointed by the council.

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