Charleston County Genealogy
- Formed 1769
- Parent district Original judicial district (settled 1670 as Charles Town)
- County seat Charleston
- Neighbors Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester
In-depth topics
Charleston County was formed in 1769 (Original judicial district (settled 1670 as Charles Town)). The county seat is Charleston. Neighboring counties include Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester.
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).
Charleston County was formed in 1769 and was the location of the oldest English settlement south of Virginia. The settlement predates the formation of the "County", as the first settlement was in 1670. Charleston is one of the most historic cities in the Southeast and the oldest in South Carolina. It was originally named Charles Town in honor of King Charles II of England, it wasn't until 1783 that the towns name was changed or truncated to Charleston. Charleston was a center of commerce, government and culture for most of the early history of South Carolina, serving as it's state capital until 1790. Portions of the Charleston District were used for the creation of the districts of Berkeley and Colleton (1882, 1800 respectively.) This busy port town also boasted cotton, rice and even indigo plantations as some of the area agricultural products.
During the Revolutionary War Charleston played an important role. The British fleet was defeated in 1776 there by the Americans. A fort had been constructed of Palmetto tree logs on Sullivans Island and the logs withstood the barrage of British Cannonballs. This earned the Palmetto a place on the South Carolina flag. This fort was later named Fort Moultrie.
Another Fort of Charleston figured prominently in another of our countries war. In April 1861, Fort Sumter was fired upon, this was the first battle of the Civil War.
Among the cities famous residents, there were 3 signers of the Declaration of Independance: John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.
Charleston County SCGenweb site
Charleston County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 20266
Charleston, SC 29413
Charleston County Courthouse
2 Courthouse Square
County Courthouse
Charleston, SC 29401
Census
- 1790 Federal Census transcription
- 1790 Federal Census transcription (archive) old link
- 1790 Federal Census images - statewide
- 1860 Federal Census Index of Slaveholders (alphabetical) Also includes # of slaves, parish and page number.
- 1860 Federal Census Index of Slaveholders (in order as found in census) Also includes # of slaves, parish and page number.
- 1860 Federal Census Index of Largest Slaveholders Also has 1870 surname matches for African Americans
Other records
Cemeteries
Query Forums
- Charleston County, SC Forum for Queries
- St Andrews Township, SC Forum for Queries
- Charleston County, SC at genforum
Cities and towns of Charleston County:
- Adams Run
- Awendaw
- Charleston (County Seat)
- Charleston AFB
- Charleston Heights
- Dewees Island
- Folly Beach
- Hanahan
- Hollywood
- Isle of Palms
- James Island
- Jericho
- Johns Island
- Kiawah Island
- McClellanville
- Meggett
- Mount Pleasant
- North Charleston
- Osborn
- Pinehaven
- Rantowels
- Ravenel
- Saint Andrews
- Seabrook Island
- Sullivans Island
- Wadmalaw Island
- Yonges Island
History notes
Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston 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
Charleston County Courthouse
Charleston, South Carolina
https://www.charlestoncounty.org/