Georgetown County Genealogy
- Formed 1769
- Parent district Original judicial district
- County seat Georgetown
- Neighbors Berkeley, Horry, Marion, Williamsburg
In-depth topics
Georgetown County was formed in 1769 (Original judicial district). The county seat is Georgetown. Neighboring counties include Berkeley, Horry, Marion, Williamsburg.
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).
Georgetown County was formed in 1769 from the original district of the colony. The county and it's county seat were named for King George II of England. Spanish settlers may have visited the area as early as 1526, but left no permanent settlements. Rice and indigo plantations were established here in the early 1700s by English settlers. During the Revolutionary War, General Frances Marion made use of the swamps of this area as a hideout from the British during his guerrilla campaign. With the decline of the rice plantations after the Civil War, hunting preserves took over the land that was once dedicated to growing rice. Among the famous names from Georgetown county are a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Lynch, Jr, The first African-American elected to the US House, Joseph Hayne Rainey and the man that introduced the Poinsettia to the United States, Joel Roberts Poinsett.
Georgetown County SCGenweb site
Georgetown County Courthouse
P.O. Drawer 421270
County Courthouse
Georgetown, SC 29442
Census
- 1790 Federal Census images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
- 1800 Federal Census images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number
- 1830 Federal Census transcription web based, indexed by last name
- 1840 Federal Census transcription web based, indexed by last name
- 1860 Federal Census transcription - slaveholder schedule Largest slaveholders with crossreference to 1870 African-American surnames
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Georgetown County
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Georgetown County:
- Andrews
- Garden City
- Garden City Beach
- Georgetown (County Seat)
- Maryville
- Murrells Inlet
- Pawleys Island
News related to Georgetown County, SC
History notes
Georgetown 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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown 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
Georgetown County Courthouse
Georgetown, South Carolina
https://www.gtcounty.org/