Darlington County Genealogy
- Formed 1785
- Parent district Cheraws District
- County seat Darlington
- Neighbors Chesterfield, Florence, Lee, Marlboro
In-depth topics
Darlington County was formed in 1785 (Cheraws District). The county seat is Darlington. Neighboring counties include Chesterfield, Florence, Lee, Marlboro.
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).
Darlington County was formed in 1785 from the old Cheraws District. Darlington County may have been named for Darlington, England, but it's unknown for certain. Florence and Lee County were formed from parts of Darlington County in 1888 and 1902 respectively. Cotton was an important early agricultural product. The area was not settled until around the 1730s when the first land grants are recorded.
A more detailed report of the history of Darlington County, South Carolina is available here. old link
Today, Darlington County may be best known for the Darlington Raceway.
- Darlington County SCGenweb site
- Old Darlington District Genealogy Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society
Darlington County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 175
Hartsville, SC 29551
Darlington County Historical Commission old link
204 Hewitt St.
Darlington, SC 29532
Darlington County, SC website
Darlington County Courthouse old link
1 Public Square, Room 210
County Courthouse
Darlington, SC 29532
Census
- 1800 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
- 1810 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
- 1820 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
- 1830 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
- 1860 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
- 1860 Federal Census - Largest Slaveholders transcription also has 1870 African American surname matches
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Darlington County
Query Forums
Cities and Towns of Darlington County:
- Cypress Crossroads
- Darlington (County Seat)
- Hartsville
- Lamar
- Lydia
- Oats
- Society Hill
History notes
Darlington 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 Darlington 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 Darlington 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 Darlington 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
Darlington County Courthouse
Darlington, South Carolina
https://www.darlingtoncountysc.gov/