Beaufort County Genealogy
Beaufort County was formed in 1769 and was the first district formed in South Carolina. Beaufort, the county seat is the second oldest city in the state founded in 1710. French explorers established a fort here in 1562, Spanish explorers did likewise in 1566. Neither of these settlements survived. Beaufort County was named for the Duke of Beaufort, Henry Somerset, who was one of the Lords Proprietors of the original Carolina Colony. The district was formed from the older parishes of St. Luke, St. Peter, St. Helena and Prince William. In 1878 a large area was used to form Hampton County.
The town of Beaufort is the second oldest in the State of South Carolina. Rice and cotton plantations were the primary income for the area leading up to the Civil War. The first school for freed slaves was formed here during the Civil War. Beaufort County is also home of the Marine training base at Parris Island and the popular resort island of Hilton Head. The boxer Joe Frazier was from Beaufort County, SC.
Bluffton Historical Preservation Society
P.O. Box 742
Bluffton, SC 29910
Beaufort County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 5492
Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Beaufort County Courthouse
P.O. Drawer 1228
County Courthouse
Beaufort, SC 29901
Census
1790 Census images and transcription for the entire state
1800 Federal Census Transcription
1850 Federal Census index by last name only
1860 Federal Census – slaveholder schedule
1920 Federal Census transcription
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries of Beaufort County
Query Forums
Beaufort County, SC Forum for Queries
Latest South Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Beaufort County from the Forum:
Beaufort County, SC at genforum
Cities and towns of Beaufort County:
Beaufort (County Seat)
Bluffton
Burton
Hilton Head Island
Laurel Bay
Parris Island
Port Royal
Shell Point
Yemassee
News related to Beaufort County, SC
