Union County Genealogy
- Formed 1785
- Parent district Ninety-Six District; Pinckney District period
- County seat Union
- Neighbors Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry, Spartanburg, York
In-depth topics
Union County was formed in 1785 (Ninety-Six District; Pinckney District period). The county seat is Union. Neighboring counties include Cherokee, Chester, Fairfield, Laurens, Newberry, Spartanburg, York.
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).
Like most of the northwestern area of South Carolina, this area was inhabited by the Cherokee Indians prior to European settlement, although it's primary use may have been as hunting grounds. Union County was formed in 1785. The town and county got it's name from a Union Church located near Monarch Mill. This Church was a place that Methodist, Baptist, or Presbyterians could meet in worship. The Revolutionary War battle of Musgrove Mill took place at the intersection of Union, Spartanburg and Laurens counties. Other Revolutionary War sites here are Fishdam Ford and Blackstock Battlefield.
In the late 1700s, the General Assembly created a district court and created a town called Pinckneyville in Union County. It was at the confluence of the Broad and Pacolet Rivers and meant to be the Charleston of the Upstate. The idea never caught on and eventually all activity moved to Union County, leaving Pinckneyille as a ghost town. Pinckneyville is on the national historic register.
Union County is also home to Boogaloo Folk Life Productions which seeks to retell memories of historical events in theatre form.
Union County Historical Foundation
P.O. Drawer 220
Union, SC 29379
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Union County
Query Forums
Cities and towns of Union County:
Buffalo
Carlisle
Jonesville
Lockhart
Monarch Mill
Union
News related to Union County, SC
History notes
Union 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 Union 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 Union 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 Union 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
Union County Courthouse
Union, South Carolina
https://www.countyofunion.org/