Laurens County Genealogy
- Formed 1785
- Parent district Ninety-Six District
- County seat Laurens
- Neighbors Abbeville, Greenville, Greenwood, Newberry, Spartanburg, Union
Laurens County was formed in 1785 (Ninety-Six District). The county seat is Laurens. Neighboring counties include Abbeville, Greenville, Greenwood, Newberry, Spartanburg, 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).
Laurens County was formed in 1785 from the old Ninety Six District. The county was named for Henry Laurens, a Revolutionary War leader. Many of the areas' residents were loyalist during the Revolution.
The Battle of Musgrove's Mill took place in what would become Lauren's County on August 19, 1780. This was the first engagement in which British Regulars were defeated by colonist militia. Other Revolutionary War battles in the current Laurens County were: Fort Lindley/Lindler, Widow Kellet's Block House, Farrow's Station, Duncan Creek, Meeting House, Indian Creek, Hammond's Store, Fort Williams, Cedar Springs, Mud Lick Creek and Hayes' Station.
A future President, Andrew Johnson worked in Laurens in the 1820's.
Laurens County SCGenweb site
Laurens County SCGenweb Archives
Laurens County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 1217
Laurens, SC 29360
Laurens County Courthouse
P.O. Box 445
County Courthouse
Laurens, SC 29360
Census
- 1800 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number.
- 1810 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number.
- 1820 Federal Census Images Directory opens to listing of image files by page number.
Cemeteries
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Laurens County:
- Clinton
- Cross Hill
- Gray Court
- Joanna
- Laurens (County Seat)
- Mountville
- Ora
- Waterloo
History notes
Laurens 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 Laurens 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 Laurens 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 Laurens 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
Laurens County Courthouse
Laurens, South Carolina
https://laurenscountysc.org/