Horry County Genealogy
- Formed 1801
- Parent district Georgetown District
- County seat Conway
- Neighbors Dillon, Georgetown, Marion
In-depth topics
Horry County was formed in 1801 (Georgetown District). The county seat is Conway. Neighboring counties include Dillon, Georgetown, Marion.
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).
Horry County was formed in 1802 from the old Georgetown District. The first land grants in this area were in 1735. Bear Bluff and Black Lake were sites of some Revolutionary War skirmishes. Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion is supposed to have camped in Kingston (present day Conway) en route to the Battle of Black Mingo. Horry was named for Brigadier General Peter Horry, Kingston was renamed to Conwayborough for Brigadier General Robert Conway. In 1898, Conwayborough shortened it's name to Conway as it incorporated. (Some 166 years after it's founding in 1732.) Horry County is probably best known today as a tourist destination, the Myrtle Beach area is very popular with tourists. Surfside Beach as a family vacation destination has been promoted by the town of Surfside Beach (to the south of Myrtle Beach).
A more detailed History of Horry County, South Carolina can be found here.
Horry County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 1428
Marion, SC 29571
Horry County Historical Society
P.O. Box 2025
Conway, SC 29528
Horry County Courthouse
1301 Second Avenue
Govenment & Justice Center
Conway, SC 29526
Census
- 1800 Federal Census Transcription
- 1850 Federal Census Index - by last name only
- 1880 Federal Census Transcription - Dog Bluff Twnship sorted alphabetically
- 1880 Federal Census Transcription - Gallivant's Ferry Twnship sorted alphabetically
- 1920 Federal Census Transcription - Simpson Creek Twnship Partial
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Horry County
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Horry County:
- Atlantic Beach
- Aynor
- Bucksport
- Cherry Grove
- Cherry Grove Beach
- Cochrantown
- Conway (County Seat)
- Crescent Beach
- Galivants Ferry
- Green Sea
- Little River
- Longs
- Loris
- Murrells Inlet
- Myrtle Beach
- Nichols
- North Myrtle Beach
- Ocean Dr Beach
- Ocean Drive
- Ocean Drive Beach
- Socastee
- Surfside
- Surfside Beach
History notes
Horry 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 Horry 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 Horry 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 Horry 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
Horry County Courthouse
Conway, South Carolina
https://www.horrycountysc.gov/