Berkeley County Genealogy
- Formed 1882
- Parent district Charleston
- County seat Moncks Corner
- Neighbors Charleston, Clarendon, Dorchester, Georgetown, Orangeburg, Williamsburg
Berkeley County was formed in 1882 (Charleston). The county seat is Moncks Corner. Neighboring counties include Charleston, Clarendon, Dorchester, Georgetown, Orangeburg, Williamsburg.
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).
Berkeley County was formed in 1882 from Charleston County. The county was named for Sir William Berkeley and Lord John Berkeley, each were Lords Proprietors of the Carolina Colony. The county was first named in 1682, but became a part of the Charleston District in 1769 and did not regain County status until 1882. The first county seat was Mount Pleasant until 1895, when the county seat was moved to Monck's Corner. There were once rice plantations in the area where Lake Moultrie is now. Some famous residents were Revolutionary War figures Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion and William Moultrie.
Berkeley County Historical Society
P.O. Box 504
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Berkeley County Courthouse
223 N. Live Oak Drive
County Courthouse
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
Berkeley County Huguenot Society of South Carolina
Census
1790 Census images for the entire state
1790 Federal Census transcription
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Berkeley County:
- Alvin
- Bethera
- Bonneau
- Cainhoy
- Charleston
- College Park
- Cordesville
- Cross
- Daniel Island
- Goose Creek
- Hanahan
- Huger
- Jamestown
- Ladson
- Moncks Corner (County Seat)
- North Charleston
- Oakley
- Pineville
- Pinopolis
- Russellville
- Saint Stephen
- Shulerville
- Wando
History notes
Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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
Berkeley County Courthouse
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
https://www.berkeleycountysc.gov/