Aiken County Genealogy | South Carolina Genealogy

Aiken County was formed in 1871 (Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington, Orangeburg). The county seat is Aiken. Neighboring counties include Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington, Orangeburg, Saluda.

Use the research panels below for modern starting points—government contacts, census, vital records, cemeteries—and read the legacy narrative for local history notes and older link collections (some updated).

Aiken County was formed in 1871 from Edgefield, Orangeburg, Barnwell and Lexington Counties. It was named for William Aiken who was president of the South Carolina railroad. The town of Aiken, which became the county seat was established as a depot on the South Carolina rail line between Hamburg (on the Savannah River) and Charleston. In the 1870s the area became somewhat of a resort for the well to do from the north. The Savannah River Site was established in Aiken County in 1950 as a nuclear bomb plant.

Aiken County SCGenweb site

Aiken-Barnwell Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 415
Aiken, SC 29802

Aiken County Courthouse
Aiken County
828 Richland Avenue, W.
County Courthouse
Aiken, SC 29801

Census

1790 Census images and transcription for the entire state

Cemeteries

Query Forums

Cities and towns of Aiken County:

Aiken (County Seat)
Bath
Beech Island
Belvedere
Berlin
Bethcar
Breeze Hill
Burnettown
Clearwater
Dunbarton
Gloverville
Graniteville
H L Crossroads
Jackson
Johnstown
Kitchings Mill
Langley
Mixville
Monetta
Montmorenci
New Ellenton
New Holland
North Augusta
Perry
Rocky Springs
Salley
Savannah River Plant
Seivern
Stiefeltown
Vaucluse
Wagener
Warrenville
Windsor

News related to Aiken County, SC

History notes

Aiken County's documentary trail follows South Carolina's district-to-county evolution. When searching before county formation, check parent districts and neighboring counties for deeds, estates, and tax lists.

Research starting points

Census

Federal census schedules (and some state/colonial substitutes) are foundational for Aiken County household reconstruction. Start with every decade the family should appear, then correlate with land and probate.

Vital records

South Carolina statewide vital registration is comparatively late. For many Aiken County families you will rely on a mix of county probate, church registers, Bible records, newspapers, and delayed birth certificates—not only a single “vital records office” file.

Cemeteries

Cemetery surveys for Aiken County appear in published books, Find a Grave, USGenWeb archives, and local historical society vertical files. Always note whether a reading is complete or partial.

Courthouse & contacts

Aiken County Courthouse
Aiken, South Carolina
https://www.aikencountysc.gov/