Greenville County Genealogy
- Formed 1786
- Parent district Ninety-Six / later Washington District context
- County seat Greenville
- Neighbors Anderson, Laurens, Pickens, Spartanburg
In-depth topics
Greenville County was formed in 1786 (Ninety-Six / later Washington District context). The county seat is Greenville. Neighboring counties include Anderson, Laurens, Pickens, Spartanburg.
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).
Greenville County was formed in 1798 from the old Washington District. The district of Greenville itself had been created as eary as 1786, but was part of the Washington District for several years. The area had been territory of the Cherokee Indians until around 1777. The origin of the name is unsure, but it's speculated that it was named for either an early resident Isaac Green, or the Revolutionary War General Nathaniel Greene. The town of Greenville was originally named Pleasantburg before an 1831 name change. The area was a popular summer getaway for low country planters in the 1800s.
Among the notable persons that came from Greenville County are baseball great "Shoeless Joe" Jackson and Political and Civil Rights Activist Jesse Jackson.
The Poinsett Bridge is located in Greenville County, SC. old link It is the oldest existing bridge in the state. (Built around 1820.) This was a vital connection between the mountains of North Carolina to the Charleston and coastal areas of South Carolina. The area surrounding the bridge is now a Heritage Preserve old link. Picture available here.
More photos of Greenville County, SC Historical locations avialable here.
Chick Springs became a mineral spring resort in the mid 19th century. old link There is currently little left to note it's existence but a bath house and gazebo.
There's a bimonthly (I should say semi-monthly because the come out every OTHER month) magazine targeting Greenville called G - The Greenville Magazine - from their tagline "Showcasing the style, character and beauty of Greenville and Upstate SC."
Greenville County SCGenweb site
Greenville County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 16236
Greenville, SC 29606
Greenville County Historical Society
P.O. Box 10472
Greenville, SC 29603
Greenville County Courthouse
301 University Ridge, Suite 100
County Courthouse
Greenville, SC 29601
Census
- 1790 Federal Census transcription - indexed by last name
- 1790 Federal Census transcription - indexed by last name PDF format
- 1800 Federal Census transcription - indexed by last name
- 1800 Federal Census transcription PDF format
- 1810 Federal Census Index
- 1810 Federal Census transcription PDF format
- 1820 Federal Census Transcription - indexed by last name "A" - "Fincher" missing
- 1820 Federal Census Transcription PDF format
- 1830 Federal Census Index
- 1830 Federal Census transcription PDF format
- 1840 Federal Census Index
- 1850 Federal Census Index
- 1850 Federal Census Transcription - Population Schedule - alphabetically by last name gives age and page number as well
- 1850 Federal Census Index - index to last names in Population/Agriculture and Slave schedules
Marriage Records
Greenville County, SC Marriage License Lookup Wonderful search of Greenville County marriage license's. There seem to be a few gaps. The county's site has a form you can request a copy of the marriage license as well.
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Greenville County
Family Genealogy Pages
Other
Collection of Old Postcards from Greenville County, SC
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Greenville County:
- Batesville
- Cleveland
- Conestee
- Fountain Inn
- Greenville (County Seat)
- Greer
- Marietta
- Mauldin
- Park Place
- Piedmont
- Simpsonville
- Slater
- Taylors
- Tigerville
- Travelers Rest
News Related to Greenville County, SC
History notes
Greenville 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 Greenville 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 Greenville 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 Greenville 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
Greenville County Courthouse
Greenville, South Carolina
https://www.greenvillecounty.org/