Marlboro County Genealogy
- Formed 1785
- Parent district Cheraws District
- County seat Bennettsville
- Neighbors Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon
Marlboro County was formed in 1785 (Cheraws District). The county seat is Bennettsville. Neighboring counties include Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon.
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).
Marlboro County was formed in 1798 from the old Cheraws District. The county seat is Bennetsville. Cotton was a major agricultural product before the Civil War. Bennetsville was briefly occuped by Gen. Sherman towards the end of the Civil War. There are mineral springs in Blenheim. The mineral springs were discovered by James Spears in 1781 and are used today to produce ginger ale. (Blenheim Ginger Ale (fan site).) Blenheim was named for Blenheim Palace, residence of the Duke of Marlboro from whom the county derived it's name.
Marlborough Historical Society old link
123 South Marlboro Street
Bennettsville, SC 29512-4031
Marlboro County Courthouse old link
P.O. Box 419
County Courthouse
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Census
- 1790 Federal Census Transcription
- 1800 Federal Census Index
- 1810 Federal Census Index
- 1810 Federal Census Transcription
- 1860 Federal Census Index and Transcription Directory opens to listing of text files including index files and files named by page number, and Slave schedules (slv filenames).
- 1880 Federal Census Index
- 1900 Federal Census Transcription - Red Bluff Twnship
Tax Records
Cemeteries
- USGS listing of cemeteries in Marlboro County
- Marlboro Cemetery Listings with Directions and transcriptions A-G
- Marlboro Cemetery Listings with Directions and transcriptions H-Q
- Marlboro Cemetery Listings with Directions and transcriptions R-Z
Query Forums
Cities and towns in Marlboro County:
- Bennettsville (County Seat)
- Blenheim
- Clio
- McColl
- Tatum
- Wallace
News related to Marlboro County, SC
History notes
Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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
Marlboro County Courthouse
Bennettsville, South Carolina
https://www.marlborocounty.sc.gov/