Dillon County Genealogy
- Formed 1910
- Parent district Marion
- County seat Dillon
- Neighbors Florence, Horry, Marion, Marlboro
Dillon County was formed in 1910 (Marion). The county seat is Dillon. Neighboring counties include Florence, Horry, Marion, 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).
Dillon County was formed in 1910 from Marion County. It was named for a local resident, James W. Dillon. This area had remained isolated due to rivers and swamps for some time, the coming of the railroad helped to open the area up to the outside world in the mid 1800s. Cotton, Tobacco and timber have been among the main products of this area.
Dillon County Courthouse old link
P.O. Box 449
County Courthouse
Dillon, SC 29536
Obituaries
Helen's Little Corner - Obituary listings from the 1900s - Dillon Herald. Searchable.
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Dillon County
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Dillon County:
- Dillon (County Seat)
- Floyd Dale
- Fork
- Hamer
- Lake View
- Latta
- Little Rock
- Minturn
- South of the Border
History notes
Dillon 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 Dillon 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 Dillon 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 Dillon 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
Dillon County Courthouse
Dillon, South Carolina
https://www.dilloncountysc.org/