Charleston County Genealogy
Charleston County was formed in 1769 and was the location of the oldest English settlement south of Virginia. The settlement predates the formation of the “County”, as the first settlement was in 1670. Charleston is one of the most historic cities in the Southeast and the oldest in South Carolina. It was originally named Charles Town in honor of King Charles II of England, it wasn’t until 1783 that the towns name was changed or truncated to Charleston. Charleston was a center of commerce, government and culture for most of the early history of South Carolina, serving as it’s state capital until 1790. Portions of the Charleston District were used for the creation of the districts of Berkeley and Colleton (1882, 1800 respectively.) This busy port town also boasted cotton, rice and even indigo plantations as some of the area agricultural products.
During the Revolutionary War Charleston played an important role. The British fleet was defeated in 1776 there by the Americans. A fort had been constructed of Palmetto tree logs on Sullivans Island and the logs withstood the barrage of British Cannonballs. This earned the Palmetto a place on the South Carolina flag. This fort was later named Fort Moultrie.
Another Fort of Charleston figured prominently in another of our countries war. In April 1861, Fort Sumter was fired upon, this was the first battle of the Civil War.
Among the cities famous residents, there were 3 signers of the Declaration of Independance: John Rutledge, Charles Pinckney and Charles Cotesworth Pinckney.
Charleston County SCGenweb site
Charleston County Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 20266
Charleston, SC 29413
Charleston County Courthouse
2 Courthouse Square
County Courthouse
Charleston, SC 29401
Census
1790 Federal Census transcription
1790 Federal Census transcription
1790 Federal Census images – statewide
1860 Federal Census Index of Slaveholders (alphabetical) Also includes # of slaves, parish and page number.
1860 Federal Census Index of Slaveholders (in order as found in census) Also includes # of slaves, parish and page number.
1860 Federal Census Index of Largest Slaveholders Also has 1870 surname matches for African Americans
Other records
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Charleston County
Query Forums
Charleston County, SC Forum for Queries
Latest South Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Charleston County from the Forum:
St Andrews Township, SC Forum for Queries
Latest South Carolina Genealogy Query posts for St. Andrews Township from the Forum:
Charleston County, SC at genforum
Cities and towns of Charleston County:
Adams Run
Awendaw
Charleston (County Seat)
Charleston AFB
Charleston Heights
Dewees Island
Folly Beach
Hanahan
Hollywood
Isle of Palms
James Island
Jericho
Johns Island
Kiawah Island
McClellanville
Meggett
Mount Pleasant
North Charleston
Osborn
Pinehaven
Rantowels
Ravenel
Saint Andrews
Seabrook Island
Sullivans Island
Wadmalaw Island
Yonges Island
News related to Charleston County, SC
