South Carolina Genealogy Genealogy, history, and research resources for the Palmetto State

Newberry County Genealogy

  • Formed 1785
  • Parent district Ninety-Six District
  • County seat Newberry
  • Neighbors Fairfield, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, Richland, Saluda, Union

Newberry County was formed in 1785 (Ninety-Six District). The county seat is Newberry. Neighboring counties include Fairfield, Greenwood, Laurens, Lexington, Richland, Saluda, 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).

Newberry County, South Carolina was founded in 1785, although the area had been settled as early as the 1750s. Newberry County was created from the Ninety-Six district. Before the civil war, cotton was a primary agricultural product. In 1789 the county seat of Newberry was founded near the center of the county. The railroad came to the area in 1851 and Newberry had already become a thriving center of trade. Newberry College was founded in 1856 as a Lutheran supported College. The origin of the name of the County is uncertain.

Some historic points of interest in Newberry County include: Tea Table Rock which is a location where the British camped druing the Revolutionary War, a Quaker Cemetery, the oldest house in the county is The Rock House.

Newberry County SCGenweb site

Newberry Courthouse
Newberry, SC 29108

Old Newberry District Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society

Newberry County Library
1300 Friend Street
Newberry, SC 29108-3400

Newberry County, South Carolina Cemeteries

Census

Cemeteries

USGS listing of cemeteries in Newberry County

Query Forums

Cities and towns of Newberry County:

  • Little Mountain
  • Newberry
  • Peak
  • Pomaria
  • Prosperity (Originally called Frog Level)
  • Silverstreet
  • Whitmire

History notes

Newberry 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 Newberry 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 Newberry 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 Newberry 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

Newberry County Courthouse
Newberry, South Carolina
https://www.newberrycounty.net/