Fairfield County Genealogy
- Formed 1785
- Parent district Camden District
- County seat Winnsboro
- Neighbors Chester, Kershaw, Newberry, Richland, Union
Fairfield County was formed in 1785 (Camden District). The county seat is Winnsboro. Neighboring counties include Chester, Kershaw, Newberry, Richland, Union.
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).
Fairfield County was formed in 1785 from the old Camden District. Legend says that Lord Cornwallis referred to the "fair fields" of this area, but it's unknown if this is the origin of the name of the county. Winnsboro is the county seat and was founded in 1755. Among the early settlers were Scotch-Irish immigrants form the north and English and French Huguenot from the lowcountry of South Carolina. This area was the heart of the Regulator movement. Lord Cornwallis had a headquarters here for four months during the Revolutionary War years of 1780-1781. The Civil War saw Sherman's Army coming through this area. Winnsboro blue granite and cotton were prominent products of this area.
Fairfield County SCGenweb site
Fairfield County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 696
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Fairfield County Courthouse old link
P.O. Drawer 60
County Courthouse
Winnsboro, SC 29180
Census
- 1800 Federal Census Index (archive) old link Link is to the first of four index pages, use your browsers find function as they are ordered by page number.
- 1800 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number.
- 1810 Federal Census Index (archive) old link Link is to the first of four index pages, use your browsers find function as they are ordered by page number.
- 1810 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number.
- 1820 Federal Census transcription Ordered by last name
- 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 and transcription files by page number.
- 1860 Federal Census Transcription and Index Directory opens to listing of text files, index files and transcription files by page number.
- 1860 Federal Census Transcription - slave schedule and 1870 African-American surname matches.
- 1870 Federal Census Transcription and Index Directory opens to listing of text files, index files and transcription files by page number.
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Fairfield County
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Fairfield County:
- Blair
- Greenbrier
- Jenkinsville
- Longtown
- Monticello
- Ridgeway
- Rion
- Smallwood
- White Oak
- Winnsboro (County Seat)
- Winnsboro Mills
News related to Fairfield County, SC
History notes
Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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
Fairfield County Courthouse
Winnsboro, South Carolina
https://www.fairfieldsc.com/