Orangeburg County Genealogy
Orangeburg District was formed in 1769, however the name was used as far back as the 1730s for a settlement along the Edisto River. The district originally encompassed the counties of Lexington, Winton, Orange and Lewisburg. The county and it’s county seat were named for the Prince of Orange (William IV) who was son-in-law of King George the second. Barnwell, Lexington, Aiken and Calhoun counties were all formed out of this district. (1800, 1804, 1871, and 1908 respectively.) Orangeburg county was the location of the Battle of Eutaw Springs in the Revolutionary War on September 8, 1781. The Battle of Eutaw Springs was the last major battle of that war in South Carolina. Cotton was a major product of the county in the years leading up to the Civil War. During the war Union troops under the command of General Sherman passed through Orangeburg County.
During the Civil Rights era, Orangeburg became known for what was called the “Orangeburg Massacre”, during which several students were killed during a civil rights protest at South Carolina State University. Famous people from Orangeburg County include Eartha Kitt.
Orangeburg County SCGenweb site
Cemeteries
USGS listing of cemeteries in Orangeburg County
Query Forums
Orangeburg County, SC Forum for Queries
Latest South Carolina Genealogy Query posts for Orangeburg County from the Forum:
Orangeburg County, SC at genforum
Cities and towns of Orangeburg County:
Bowman
Branchville
Brookdale
Cope
Cordova
Edisto
Elloree
Eutawville
Holly Hill
Livingston
Neeses
North
Norway
Orangeburg
Rowesville
Santee
Springfield
Vance
Wilkinson Heights
Woodford
News related to Orangeburg County, SC
