Edgefield County Genealogy
- Formed 1785
- Parent district Ninety-Six District
- County seat Edgefield
- Neighbors Aiken, Greenwood, McCormick, Saluda
In-depth topics
Edgefield County was formed in 1785 (Ninety-Six District). The county seat is Edgefield. Neighboring counties include Aiken, Greenwood, McCormick, Saluda.
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).
Edgefield County was formed in 1785 from the old Ninety Six District. In 1871 part of Edgefield County went to form Aiken County. In 1895, another part of Edgefield contributed to Saluda County, 1897 yielded a portion of Greenwood County. Finally in 1916, a portion of Edgefield County was taken to make McCormick County. This area of the state was the site of several Revolutionary War skirmishes.
Edgefield County SCGenweb site
Edgefield County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 486
Edgefield, SC 29824
Edgefield County Courthouse
215 Jeter Street
County Courthouse
Edgefield, SC 29824
Census
- 1790 Federal Census transcription Directory opens to listing of textfiles. The transcription is divided into 4 parts.
- 1820 Federal Census images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number.
- 1850 Federal Census Index by last name only.
- 1850 Federal Census Transcription and index Directory Opens to listing of text files, index files named indx*txt and pages, named by page number.
- 1850 Federal Census transcription This transcription has a key at the beginning of each file to interpret the numbers. Directory opens to listing of text files by page number.
- 1860 Federal Census Slave Schedule - Largest Slaveholders Also 1870 African-American Surname matches.
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Edgefield County
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Edgefield County:
- Cleora
- Edgefield (County Seat)
- Eureka
- Johnston
- Meeting Street
- Moss
- Pleasant Lane
- Trenton
History notes
Edgefield 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 Edgefield 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 Edgefield 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 Edgefield 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
Edgefield County Courthouse
Edgefield, South Carolina
https://edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/