Calhoun County Genealogy
- Formed 1908
- Parent district Lexington and Orangeburg
- County seat St. Matthews
- Neighbors Clarendon, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter
Calhoun County was formed in 1908 (Lexington and Orangeburg). The county seat is St. Matthews. Neighboring counties include Clarendon, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter.
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).
Calhoun County was formed in 1908 from Lexington and Orangeburg Counties. The county was named for John C. Calhoun, who served as a Vice President of the United States, Secretary of State and Secretary of War and as a Senator from South Carolina. John C. Calhoun. The town of St. Matthews is the County seat and was founded in 1841. Calhoun County is also the location of Fort Motte. Fort Motte was the site of a Revolutionary War event where the British had taken control of the Motte Plantation House. Rebecca Motte assisted the Patriot soldiers in getting the British off their property at the cost of their home.
Calhoun County Courthouse
Courthouse Annex, Suite 108
County Courthouse
Saint Matthews, SC 29135
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries of Calhoun County
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Calhoun County:
- Cameron
- Creston
- Fort Motte
- Hammond Crossroads
- Lone Star
- Saint Matthews (County Seat)
- Singleton
News related to Calhoun County, SC
History notes
Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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
Calhoun County Courthouse
St. Matthews, South Carolina
https://calhouncountysc.org/