Kershaw County, South Carolina Genealogy

United States

South Carolina

Kershaw County

Guide to Kershaw County, South Carolina ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.

South Carolina Online Genealogy Records

County Facts County seat: Camden Organized: Feb 19 1791. Parent County(s): Claremont (extinct), Fairfield, Lancaster, and Richland Neighboring Counties Chesterfield  • Darlington  • Fairfield  • Lancaster  • Lee  • Richland  • Sumter See County Maps Courthouse Location Map Adoption This page is available for adoption

County Information

Description

The County was named for Col. Joseph Kershaw (1727-1791), an early settler and American Revolutionary War patriot. The County is located in the north central location of the state.

County Courthouse

Kershaw County Courthouse
1121 Broad St.
Camden, SC 29020
Phone: 803-425-7223
Kershaw County Website

County Pronunciation
Hear it spoken

Kershaw County, South Carolina Record Dates

Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.

Known Beginning Dates for Major County Records
Birth*	Marriage	Death*	Court	Land	Probate	Census
1915	1911	1915	1783	1787	1782	1790
*Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1915. General compliance by 1918.

Record Loss

Major loss of equity records resulted from the negligence of Thomas P. Evans, commissioner in equity from 1822-1829. For suggestions about research in places that suffered historic record losses, see: Burned Counties. By Michael John Neill at 24-7 Family History Circle. When the Records are Gone. By Arlene Eakle at Arlene Eakle's Tennessee Blog. Burned Counties Research in the FamilySearch Research Wiki. List of counties in the United States with Record Loss

Boundary Changes

Parent Counties: Created from Claremont (extinct), Fairfield, Lancaster, and Richland , Feb 19 1791. County seat: Camden Interactive Map of South Carolina County Formation History (1790-1897) - animated maps illustrating South Carolina county boundary changes Kershaw County, South Carolina Historical Boundary Changes - list of all boundary changes by county provided by Newberry Library

Populated Places

For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Cities
Camden
Towns
Bethune	Elgin
Unincorporated communities
Antioch Cassatt	DeKalb Liberty Hill	Westville
Census-designated places
Boykin	Lugoff

Resources

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Kershaw County, South Carolina online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online	Find A Grave SC GenWeb USGenWeb Archives SC Tombstone Transcription Project BillionGraves
Tombstone Transcriptions in Print (Often more complete)	Family History Library WorldCat
List of Cemeteries in the County	Find A Grave FamilySearch Places
See South Carolina Cemeteries for more information.

• To view a cemetery list, see Kershaw County, South Carolina Cemeteries.
• National Cemetery Administration

Census Records

For all existing and online Federal population schedules of South Carolina, see South Carolina Census. See also USGenWeb Census Project, South Carolina, including links to transcribed files.

• 1829-1920 South Carolina, State and Territorial Censuses, 1829-1920 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index & Images

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1800	7,340	—
1810	9,867	34.4%
1820	12,432	26.0%
1830	13,545	9.0%
1840	12,281	−9.3%
1850	14,473	17.8%
1860	13,086	−9.6%
1870	11,754	−10.2%
1880	21,538	83.2%
1890	22,361	3.8%
1900	24,696	10.4%
1910	27,094	9.7%
1920	29,398	8.5%
1930	32,070	9.1%
1940	32,913	2.6%
1950	32,287	−1.9%
1960	33,585	4.0%
1970	34,727	3.4%
1980	39,015	12.3%
1990	43,599	11.7%
2000	52,647	20.8%
2010	61,697	17.2%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

1800

• Kershaw County Historical Society. The Second Federal Census, 1800, South Carolina, Kershaw County. Kershaw, S.C.: Kershaw County Historical Society, 1970. FHL Collection 975.761 X2p 1800
• 1800 Federal Census, Surname Index, Kershaw District, courtesy USGenWeb Archives.

1810

• Kershaw County Historical Society. The Third Federal Census, 1810, South Carolina, Kershaw County. Kershaw, S.C.: Kershaw County Historical Society, 1972. FHL Collection 975.761 X2t 1810

1820

• Kershaw County Historical Society. The Fourth Federal Census, 1820, South Carolina, Kershaw County. Kershaw, S.C.: Kershaw County Historical Society, 1973. FHL Collection 975.7 A1 no. 29

1820 Manufactures
The original manufactures schedules for South Carolina are kept at the NARA, Washington, D.C. FHL copies: FHL Collection 1024517 - 1024518. Published abstract:

• National Archives. Indexes to Manufactures Census of 1820. 1920; reprint, Knightstown, Ind.: Bookmark, 1977. FHL Collection 973 X2m 1820. Includes this county.

1840

• Draine, Tony. Kershaw District, South Carolina Census, 1840. Columbia, S.C.: Congaree Publicatoins, 1986. FHL Collection 975.761 X2d 1840
• Phelps, Dallas LeRoy. 1840 Census of Kershaw County, South Carolina. Camden, S.C.: D.L. Phelps, 2001. FHL Collection 975.761 X2p 1840

1840 Revolutionary War Pensioners

• A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington, D.C.: Blair and Rives, 1841. FHL Collection 973 X2pc 1840; FHL Collection 2321; digital version at Google Books. See South Carolina, Kershaw District on pages 142-143.

1850

• South Carolina Genealogical Society. Catawba-Wateree Chapter. 1850 Kershaw County, South Carolina Census Expanded with Genealogy. Camden, S.C.: South Carolina Genealogical Society. Catawba-Wateree Chapter, 1997. FHL Collection 975.761 X2k 1850
• 1850 Federal Census Index, Kershaw County, courtesy USGenWeb Archives.

1870 Mortality Schedule

• Phelps, Dallas LeRoy. 1870 Kershaw County Mortality Census. FHL Collection 975.761 X2p 1870

Church Records

Quaker

• Carroll, Kenneth L. "The Irish Quaker Community at Camden," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 77, No. 2 (Apr., 1976), pp. 69-83. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

List of Churches and Church Parishes

• FamilySearch Places
  

Court Records

Online Court Indexes and Records

Kershaw County has court records from 1783 that are held in the office of the Clerk of Court. Kershaw County was a part of the Camden District from 1785 - 1800 and the records of Camden District courts are housed in Kershaw County with the Clerk of Court.

The South Carolina Archives and History Center has court records available on microfilm for Kershaw County.

The Family History Library collection includes books and microfilm regarding court records for Kershaw County.

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

African Americans
Kershaw County, South Carolina African Americans

Genealogies

• [Baskin] D.A.R. Joseph Habersham Chapter (Atlanta, Ga.). Baskin, Fleming, Diggart Pioneer Families of Kershaw and Lancaster Counties. Typescript, 1971. FHL 893701 Item 1
• [Baskin] Bell, Raymond Martin. AndrewBaskin, Esq., Kershawand Lancaster Counties, S.C. and Other Baskin Notes. Typescripts, 1965, Clayton Library, Houston, Texas. Microfilmed 1983. FHL 1318370 Items 12-13; digital version at Ancestry ($).
• [Blanton] Blanton, William Neal. Reminiscences of a Texas Frontier Heritage as Portrayed in the Lives of Ransom Gwyn Blanton, Born Kershaw District, South Carolina, 1814, Died Near Hutto, Williamson County, October 14, 1881; Benjamin Franklin Blanton Born Colorado County, Texas, February 2, 1885, Died Paris, Lamar County, September 4, 1938. Taylor, Texas: Merchants Press, 1969. FHL 929.273 B611ba; digital version at Internet Archive.
• [Boone] Phelps, Dallas LeRoy. Desc. of John Boone of Kershaw Co., S.C. 2004. FHL 1542455 Item 2
• [Boykin] Phelps, Dallas LeRoy. Desc. of Alexander Hamilton Boykin of Kershaw County, S.C. (1815-1866). 2003. FHL 1573699 Item 111
• [Cherry] Gibson, Liford Leroy and Mary Dean Magruder Gibson. Some Descendants of Jacob Cherry Revolutionary Soldier. Macon, Ga.: Mary D.M. Gibson, 1997. FHL 929.273 C424gi; digital version at Family History Library.
• [Clanton] Clanton, Velda E. and Lee R. Clanton. Clanton Family History and Lineage Lines. 2 vols. Hagerstown, Md.: L.R. & V.E. Clanton, [1993?]. FHL 929.273 C529c
• [Diggart] D.A.R. Joseph Habersham Chapter (Atlanta, Ga.). Baskin, Fleming, Diggart Pioneer Families of Kershaw and Lancaster Counties. Typescript, 1971. FHL 893701 Item 1
• [Drakeford] Mosher, Merrill Hill. "Richard Drakeford and His Descendants," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 39, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1995):135-142. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FHL Book 975.5 B2vg v. 39 (1995).
• [Duke] Duke, Columbus Welcome and Gladys Mae Williams Duke. Sentimental Journeys: to Duke--Shackelford--Crockett and More than Four Hundred Allied Families. [Texas: C.W. Duke, 1974]. FHL 929.273 D885dw
• [Elkins] Andrea, Leonardo. Elkin-Elkins. Typescript, Polk County Historical Library, Bartow, Fla. Microfilmed 1975. FHL 978080 Item 2
• [Flake] Dorroh, John. "Elizabeth Milhouse, Wife of Thomas Flake of Kershaw District," The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Spring 2009):69-75. FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 38
• [Fleming] D.A.R. Joseph Habersham Chapter (Atlanta, Ga.). Baskin, Fleming, Diggart Pioneer Families of Kershaw and Lancaster Counties. Typescript, 1971. FHL 893701 Item 1
• [Gaskins] Hanna, Muriel K. and Gale Stanley Grainger. Gaskins / Gaskin Family: Williamsburg and Kershaw County South Carolina. n.p.: M.K. Hanna & G.S. Grainger, 2002. FHL 929.273 G212h; digital version at Family History Library.
• [George] Bell, J.B. George Kinsmen of American Descent. Hernando, Miss.: J.B. Bell, 1991. FHL 929.273 G293bj; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
• [Gillis] Metcalf, Clayton G. The Gillis Family in the South. Enterprise, Ala.: C.G. Metcalf, 1975. FHL 929.273 G416m
• [Gillis] Metcalf, Clayton G. Scots and Their Kin. Enterprise, Ala.: C.G. Metcalf, 1984. FHL 929.273 G416mc
• [Goldsmith] Goldsmith, John Robert. A Goldsmith Family History. Bullard, Texas: J.R. Goldsmith, 1990. FHL 929.273 G574g
• [Jacobs] Jacobs, Curtis. The Jacobs Collection. MSS., Beauregard Parish Library, De Ridder, La. FHL 1653823 Item 3
• [Jones] Jones, Hazel Parker. The History of the Samuel Jones Family, Kershaw County, S.C. 1756-1960, Including Allied Families. Kershaw, S.C.: H.P. Jones, 1961. FHL 1697619 Item 5
• [Jones] Jones, Hazel Parker. Book Two of the Samuel Jones Family, Kershaw County, S.C., 1756-1979: Including Allied Families. Kershaw, S.C.: H.P. Jones, 1979. FHL 929.273 J725j 1979
• [Jones] Jones, Hazel Parker. Book Three of the Samuel Jones Family, Kershaw County, South Carolina, 1750-1990: Including Allied Families. Kershaw, S.C.: H.P. Jones, 1991. FHL 929.273 J725j 1991
• [Jordon] Corbett, Agnes B., Jane P. Justice, and William T. Johnson. Marshall Faith and Family. Camden, S.C.: A.B. Corbett, [1990?]. FHL 929.273 M355cj
• [Jossey] Josey, J. Edward and Marion Jackson. The House of Jossey - Josey. 8 vols. Branford, Fla.: The House of Josey, 1995. FHL 929.273 J78jj Volumes 4-5 treat Jossey families of Kershaw District.
• [Kelley] Stearns, Monyene. The Kelley Klan: Descendants of John Kelley. McGregor, Texas: M. Stearns, 1983. FHL 929.273 K287s
• [Kirkland] Slaymaker, Susan Clark. Southern Born and Southern Bred: Family Group Sheets of the Anderson Altman/Aultman, Beatty, Bellote, Blout, Breland/Brealer, Bryant, Carruth, Clark, Cocke, Earnest, Floyd, Franklin, Gulley/Gully, Harris, Hart, Hinnant, Hodges, Hooks, Houston, Johnson, Kirkland, Kittrell, Odom, Osborne, Ousley/Owsley, Perry, Sanders/Saunders, Savell, Slocumb, Steen, Tully, Waller, West, Willis/Willix, Wilson: Ancestors of Susan Clark Slaymaker. Gold River, Calif.: S.C. Slaymaker, 1990. FHL 6334341 and Supplement FHL 6334444
• [Kirkpatrick] Kirkpatrick, Melvin E. A Kirkpatrick Genealogy: Being an Account of the Descendants of the Family of James Kirkpatrick of South Carolina, ca. 1715-1786. Microfilmed 1990. FHL 6050100
• [Kirkpatrick] Kirkpatrick, Melvin E. and David Hudson. A Kirkpatrick Genealogy: Being an Account of the Descendants of the Family of James Kirkpatrick of South Carolina, ca. 1715-1786. Coalville, Iowa: D. Hudson, 1996. FHL 929.273 K363k.
• [Long] Buchanan, Paul C. and Susie M. Owens. "Henry Long and Some Descendants of Colonial Virginia," The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Apr.-Jun. 1994):115-126; Vol. 38, No. 3 (Jul.-Sep. 1994):190-200; Vol. 38, No. 4 (Oct.-Dec. 1994):263-273; Vol. 39, No. 1 (Jan.-Mar. 1995):27-31. Digital version at American Ancestors by NEHGS ($). FHL Book 975.5 B2vg v. 38 (1994)-v. 39 (1995).
• [Lyle] Cawley, Joseph Douglas and Jacqueline Boss-Cawley. From Mounthill to Georgia, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Lyle, 1748-1831: Loyalist, Militiaman. Centennial, Colo.: J and J Publishers, 2004. FHL 921.73 L988c; digital version at Family History Library.
• [Marsh] Marsh, U. Bowdoin. John Marsh of Craven and Kershaw Counties, South Carolina, and His Descendants: and Research Notes on Marsh. [Tallahassee, Fla.]: U.B. Marsh, 1987. FHL 929.273 M353m
• [Marsh] Marsh, U. Bowdoin. John Marsh of South Carolina: and Research Notes on Marsh. Cullman, Ala.: Gregath, 1992. FHL 929.273 M353mu
• [Massey] Smith, Carmae Massey. Descendants of Arthur Massey, Cheraws District, South Carolina, 1769: With Allied Lines of Thurman and Tucker. Houston, Texas: C.M. Smith, 1980. FHL 929.273 M385d
• [Milhouse] Dorroh, John. "Elizabeth Milhouse, Wife of Thomas Flake of Kershaw District," The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 38, No. 2 (Spring 2009):69-75. FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 38
• [O'Quinn] Foster, Patricia O'Quinn and Frederick T. Foster. Descendants of Allen and Mary Ann Brown O'Quinn. San Diego, Calif.: P.O. Foster, 1990. FHL 929.273 Oq5f
• [O'Quinn] Foster, Patricia O'Quinn and Frederick T. Foster. Descendants of Allen and Mary Ann Brown O'Quinn. San Diego, Calif.: P.O. Foster, 1992. FHL 929.273 Oq5fp
• [Pate] Scarborough, Eleazer Pate. Pate History and Genealogy. [Florence, S.C.]: E.P. Scarborough, [199?]. FHL 929.273 P271se and Supplement FHL 929.273 P271se supp.
• [Payne] Iverson, Patricia Garrett. The Continuing Legacy of John Payne, Blacksmith: abt 1731-1780. Roundup, Montana: P.G. Iverson, 2006. FHL 929.273 P293ip; digital version at Family History Library.
• [Payne] Iverson, Patricia Garrett. Lure and Legacy: The Descendants of Elizabeth, Banyan, and Wylie Payne. Roundup, Montana: P.G. Iverson, 2007. FHL 929.273 P293i; digital version at Family History Library.
• [Peebles] Saltzman, Bettie L. Peebles. Peebles, 1763-1985. [Indiana]: B.P. Saltzman, [1985]. FHL 1481380 Item 1
• [Peebles] Saltzman, Bettie L. Peebles and Linda L. Saltzman McCall. Peebles, 1763-1988. [Indiana]: B.P. Saltzman, [1988]. FHL 929,273 P343s
• [Richardson] Hasskarl, Eula Richardson. My Ancestors: Families of Richardson, Megginson, Parsons, Hudgins, Skelton, Lanier, Bennett. Ada, Okla.: Hasskarl, 1972. FHL 929.273 R393h
• [Shiver] Phelps, Dallas LeRoy. Descendants of John Shiver, Sr. of Kershaw County, S.C. (1740-1799). Camden, S.C.: D.L. Phelps, 2003. FHL 6006054
• [Shute] Shute, J. Ray. The Shute Family of Piedmont Carolina, 1778-1978. Monroe, N.C.: n.p., 1978. FHL 929.273 Sh94sj
• [Sowell] Hays, Mary Sowell and Carolyn E. Sowell. A History of the John Alexander and Laura Hilton Sowell Family. 1973. FHL 929.273 So92sc
• [Trammell] "Some Clues for the Trammell Genealogy," The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 27, No. 4 (Fall 1999):211-212. FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 27
• [Trantham] Barnhill, Floyd Raymond. Trantham Family Records. Microfilmed 1980. FHL 1293983 Item 9
• [Truesdale] Truesdell, Karl. Descendants of John Truesdel of South Carolina and of James Truesdale of Rochester, New York. Chevy Chase, Md.: K. Truesdell, 1952. FHL 875408 Item 5
• [Truesdale] Phelps, Dallas LeRoy. Descendants of Truesdale. Microfilmed 2005. FHL 1573699 Item 108
• [Watkins] Watkins, Sue Clark and Betty Sue Watkins Wilkie. Our Watkins Family: from John in Isle of Wight County, Virginia to James in Johnston County, North Carolina to Amos in Kershaw County, South Carolina. n.p.: S.C. Watkins, 2001. FHL 929.273 W325w
• Brunson, Charlotte Boykin Salmond. Kershaw County Cousins. Columbia, S.C.: R.L. Bryan Company, 1978. FHL 975.761 D2b ("A record of the early families of Boykin, S.C., Camden, S.C. and Liberty Hill, S.C., including descendants of James Kennedy Douglas, Dr. Lynch Horry Deas, Burwell Boykin, Charles John Shannon, Teige and George Cantey, General Richard Richardson, the McWillies, Cunninghams, Brisbanes, Ancrums, deSaussures, Hay family and many others.")
• Hartness, George Bowman. By Ship, Wagon, and Foot to York County, S.C. Columbia, S.C.: G.B. Hartness, 1966. FHL 975.743 D2h ("A compilation of historical information on the following families who were among the earliest white settlers of York, Chester, Winnsboro, and Kershaw Counties, South Carolina: Hartness, Ash, Burris, Bowen, Whitley, Mitchell, Carson, Thomas, Neil, Irvin, Chesnut, Curley, Sutton, McClain, Waggoner, Eakins, Johnsey, and including a chapter on the Hartness family who settled in New York State.")
• South Carolina Genealogical Society. Catawba-Wateree Chapter. 1850 Kershaw County, South Carolina Census Expanded with Genealogy. Camden, S.C.: South Carolina Genealogical Society. Catawba-Wateree Chapter, 1997. FHL Collection 975.761 X2k 1850

Land and Property Records

Because South Carolina was an agricultural state, many residents owned land. For earliest records, search 1) Charleston District, 2) your ancestor’s residential district, 3) neighboring districts, 4) the residential county, 5) neighboring counties. Not all districts and counties kept records. See also South Carolina Land and Property.

• This series consists of recorded copies of plats for state land grants for the Charleston and the Columbia Series with their certificates of admeasurement or certification.All personal names and geographic features on these plats are included in the repository's On-line Index to Plats for State Land Grants
  
• The South Carolina Constitution of 1790 required the surveyor general to maintain offices in both the new capital at Columbia and in Charleston. The surveyor general began to use separate volumes for recording plats in his Columbia office in 1796. Before that, all plats were recorded in the set of volumes begun in Charleston in 1784. After 1796, most plats for land grants in the Upper Division of the state were recorded and filed in Columbia. The surveyor general chose to make the Columbia volumes a continuation of the state plat volumes begun in Charleston and gave the initial Columbia volume the number thirty-six to correspond with the number of the volume that had then been reached in the Charleston series. As a result, there are volumes numbered thirty-six through forty-three from each office, but the records in them are not duplicative.
• Also included are the Plan Books containing Plats and Plans.

Online Land Indexes and Records
The following chart show where you may best expect to find land records.

Tracing Land Currently in Kershaw County with Parent Counties and Districts

Date	Government Office
1869-present	Kershaw County (new)
1800-1868	Kershaw District
1791-1800	Kershaw County (old)
1785-1791	Richland County
1785-1791	Lancaster County
1785-1791	Fairfield County
1769-1785	Camden District *
1719-1769	Charleston District
1710-1719	Proprietary Land Grants

• Some Camden District records are included with Kershaw County records

Local Histories

The county is named after Joseph Kershaw.

• Kirkland, Thomas J. Historic Camden. Columbia, S.C.: State Co., 1905-1926. FHL 1036403 Items 1 - 2; digital version at Ancestry ($).
• Gardner, Miles. Further Tales of Murder and Mayhem in Lancaster, Kershaw, and Chesterfield Counties(Spartanburg, South Carolina: Reprint Company Publishers, c2006), 296 pages. Book at FHL 975.7 H2gm and Other Libraries.[1]

Maps and Gazetteers

Click a neighboring county
for more resources

• FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places

Migration

Overland migration routes in and around early South Carolina.

Early migration routes to and from Kershaw County for European settlers included:

• Occaneechi Path pre-historic
• Camden-Charleston Path 1732
• Fall Line Road about 1735
• Great Valley Road (south fork) 1740s

Military Records

Revolutionary War

• "Henry Felder Rev. War petition excerpt, 1785," Catawba-Wateree Messenger, June 2007, Volume 20, Issue 6. Catawba Wateree Genealogical Society c/o Camden Archives and Museum: Camden, SC
• "Patriot defeat at Camden, 1780," SAR Magazine, Summer 2005, Volume 100, Issue 1. National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution: Louisville, KY. FHL Collection Book 973 B2sa.
• "Battle of Camden and preservation of the field, 1780," Periodical:Journal of America's Military Past, Winter 2004, Volume 30, Issue 3. Council on America's Military Past: Ft. Myer, VA.
• "SC Royalists, 1781, Camden," Dutch Fork Digest, June 2002, Volume 17, Issue 1. Dutch Fork Chapter, South Carolina Genealogical Society: Chapin, SC.
• "Rugeley's Clermont, 1776-80," Update, February 2002, Issue 3. Kershaw County Historical Society: Camden, SC.
• "Colonel Rudgely surrenders to William Washington, 1780, SC," St. Lucie River Whig, Spring 2001, Volume 9, Issue 2. St. Lucie River Chapter: St. Lucie, FL.
• "Battle of Camden," Update, February 2001, Issue 3. Kershaw County Historical Society:Camden, SC.
• "Capt. Martin Livingston's Royalists," Dutch Fork Digest, January 2001, Volume 16, Issue 1. Dutch Fork Chapter, South Carolina Genealogical Society: Chapin, SC.
• "Muster, SC Royalists, 1781," Dutch Fork Digest, July 2000, Volume 15, Issue 3. Dutch Fork Chapter, South Carolina Genealogical Society: Chapin, SC.
• "Revolutionary war pensioners, 1841," Carolinas Genealogical Society Bulletin, November 1965, Volume 2, Issue 3. Carolinas Genealogical Society: Monroe, NC. FHL Collection Book 975 B2c.
• "Battle of Hobkirk Hill," American Monthly Magazine, January 1909, Volume 34, Issue 1. Daughters of the American Revolution: Washington, D.C. FHL Collection Book 973 B2dar.
• "Battle of Camden losses, 1780," New England Historical and Genealogical Register, October 1873, Volume 27, Issue 4. New England Historical and Genealogical Society: Boston, MA. FHL Collection, images available online. Article is on image 216.

War of 1812

• List of Pensioners on the Roll, January 1, 1883; Giving the Name of Each Pensioner, the Cause for Why Pensioned, the Post-Office Address, the Rate of Pension Per Month, and the Date of Original Allowance... Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1883. FHL Collection 973 M2Lp v. 5; digital versions at Google Books and Internet Archive. [See Vol. 5, South Carolina, Kershaw County, p. 186. Identifies War of 1812 veterans living in this county in 1883.]

Civil War

• 1861-1865 South Carolina Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index & Images
• 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)
• 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry — index (free)

Regiments. Civil War service men from Kershaw County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies and regiments that were specifically formed of men from Kershaw County:

- 1st Regiment, South Carolina Artillery, Company A (also known as Calhoun's Battery; Sumter Light Artillery, Sumter Battery, Preston's Battery, Blake's Battery and other name variations.)

- 2nd Regiment, South Carolina Infantry (2nd Palmetto Regiment), Company E (also known as Camden Volunteers and Camden Light Infantry) and Company G - (also known as Flat Rock Guards)

- 2nd Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry, Company A (also known as Boykin Mounted Rangers)

- 2nd Regiment, South Carolina Infantry (2nd Palmetto Regiment), DeKalb Rife Guards

- 3rd Battalion, South Carolina Light Artillery (Palmetto Battalion), Company E (also known as the Yeadon Light Artillery), Company G (also known as the DeSaussure Light Artillery and the DePass Light Battery), and Company K (also known as Richardson's Company)

- 3rd Regiment, South Carolina State Troops Junior Reserves (State Militia)

- 4th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry (Rutledge's), Company A

- 4th Regiment, South Carolina State Troops, Company C

- 5th Battalion, South Carolina Reserves (Brown's), Company D

- 5th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry , Company A

- 7th Battalion, South Carolina Infantry (Nelson's) (Enfield Rifles), Company A, Company D, Company E, Company F, and Company G

- 7th Regiment, South Carolina Cavalry , Company H and Company K

- 8th Regiment, South Carolina Reserves

- 9th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry, Company E

- 15th Regiment, South Carolina Infantry , Company D

- Jeter's Company, South Carolina Light Artillery

- South Carolina State Troop Regiments Seed Corn Units, Junior Reserves

- 3rd Regiment, South Carolina State Troops Junior Reserves (State Militia)

Newspapers

• 1800s-1999 Newspapers.com Marriage Index, 1800s-1999 at Ancestry ($)

Camden Archives and Museum Obituary Index

Historic
The Library of Congress has identified the following historic newspapers for Kershaw County, South Carolina on their Chronicling America website. For publication details, including dates of publication, frequency, preceding and succeeding titles, and to find out which libraries have holdings, click on the newspaper title.

• Camden Commercial Courier (Camden, S.C.) 1837-1838.
• Camden Gazette (Camden, S.C.) 1816-1818. Search online at GeneaolgyBank.com ($)
• Camden Gazette and Mercantile Advertiser (Camden, S.C.) 1818-1822. Search online at GeneaolgyBank.com ($)
• Camden Independent (Camden, S.C.) 1978-1981.
• Camden Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1852-1852.
• Camden Republican, and Lancaster Beacon (Camden, S.C.) 1832-1833.
• Chronicle-Independent (Camden, S.C.) 1981-current.
• Journal and Confederate (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1865.
• Semiweekly Camden Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1851-1852
• South Carolina Temperance Advocate and Register of Agriculture and General Literature (Columbia, S.C.) 1841-1854.
• Southern Republic (Camden, S.C.) 1851-1851.
• The Bethune Enterprise (Bethune, S.C.) 1900-1902.
• The Bethune Observer (Bethune, S.C.) 1913-1923.
• The Camden and Lancaster Beacon (Camden [S.C.]) 1831-1832.
• The Camden Bulletin (Camden, S.C.) 19??-19??.
• The Camden Chronicle (Camden, S.C.) 1888-1981.
• The Camden Citizen (Camden, S.C.) 1953-1955.
• The Camden Confederate (Camden, S.C.) 1861-1865.
• The Camden Daily Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1864-1864.
• The Camden Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1826-1834.
• The Camden Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851.
• The Camden Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1864-1864.
• The Camden Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891.
• The Camden Journal and Southern Whig (Camden, S.C.) 1834-1835.
• The Camden Morning Call (Camden, S.C.) 1887-1887.
• The Camden News (Camden, S.C.) 1909-1913.
• The Camden News (Camden, S.C.) 1956-1962.
• The Camden Weekly Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1853-1861.
• The Camden Weekly Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1871.
• The Daily Bulletin (Camden, S.C.) 1864-1864.
• The Kershaw Gazette (Camden, Kershaw Co., S.C.) 1873-1887.
• The People (Camden, S.C.) 1904-1911.
• The Southern Chronicle (Camden, S.C.) 1822-1824. Search online at GenealogyBank.com ($)
• The Southern Chronicle and Camden Aegis (Camden, S.C.) 1824-1825.
• The Southern Chronicle and Camden Gazette (Camden, S.C.) 1822-1822.
• The Southern Chronicle, and Camden Literary and Political Register (Camden, S.C.) 1825-1825.
• The Tri-Weekly Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1865.
• The Wateree Messenger (Camden, S.C.) 1884-1942.
• The Weekly Camden Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1851-1852.
• The Weekly Journal (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1865.

University of South Carolina Library Catalog

• Historical Newspapers of South Carolina at University of South Carolina Libraries - not complete

Current

• Chronicle-Independent (Camden, S.C.) Online edition.

Periodicals

Tap into the minds of local experts. Editors of genealogical periodicals publish unique sources that researchers new to their area may not encounter. Periodicals at various levels (county, region, and state) may carry articles useful to research in this area. For more information and links, see South Carolina Periodicals.

• Carolina Genealogist
• Carolinas Genealogical Society Bulletin
• Catawba-Wateree Messenger(Family History Library book 975.761 D25c .)
• Dutch Fork Digest(Family History Library book 975.7 D25d. )
• The South Carolina Historical Magazine
• Sumter Black River Watchman

Probate Records

Various types of records are created throughout the probate process of settling estates and property, usually after death. These may include, wills, bonds, petitions, accounts, inventories, administrations, orders, decrees, and distributions. For further information see probate records in South Carolina Probate Records.

Online Probate Indexes and Records

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History hasmicrofilms or typescripts of wills, inventories, bills of sale, power of attorneys, bonds, notes, administrations, judgments, and sales records. They have placed Will Transcriptions for 1782 to 1855 online. Index searchable by name and the image is available. The Wills from Camden County were transcribed as Kershaw County.

A general index to estates and probate records of Kershaw County, South Carolina, exists that covers the time period 1780 to 1960. It includes the name of the estate [the decedent], the name of the executor, administrator or guardian, the numbers for each apartment and package, and a remarks column that often includes dates. FHL Film 361678

Other collections of probate records in Kershaw County include:

• Wills, 1782-1868, Court of Ordinary, Kershaw District, South Carolina, 1782-1868. Salt Lake City, Ut.: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1951. FHL Film 24052
• Estate record books, Court of Ordinary, Kershaw District, South Carolina, 1782-1822. Columbia, S.C.: Filmed by the South Carolina Dept. of Archives and History, 1975. FHL Film 1029441
• Coldham, Peter Wilson. North American Wills Registered in London 1611-1857. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2007. FHL 942 P27c 2007 Includes wills of residents of Camden proved in London; see place-name index. These records often help establish an immigrant's place of origin.
• Wills, Book AI, 1781-1820 (transcripts). See names of testators. South Carolina Pioneers
• Will Book D, 1803. See names of testators. South Carolina Pioneers
• Index to Will Book A (1770-1826); Will Book N (1776-1833); Unrecorded Wills (1789-1816); Will Book A (1781-1820); Will Book C; Will Book D (1803) South Carolina Pioneers
• 1670-1980 South Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1670-1980 at Ancestry.com — index and images ($)
• 1671-1977 South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images Only
• 1732-1964 South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images Only
• 1782-1866 South Carolina, Will Transcripts 1782-1866 at Findmypast — index, ($) — $, index

Social Security Records

• 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to use this collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
• 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

Tax Records

Tax-related records are kept by the offices of the county Assessor, Auditor, Sheriff, and Treasurer. Taxes were levied on real and personal property and can help establish ages, residences, and relationships. See South Carolina Taxation for online resources and suggestions.

Online Tax Indexes and Records

• South Carolina Department of Archives and History tax lists for Kershaw County.
  

Published abstracts

• 1784 Tax List, 1784, Sumter Black River Watchman, Vol. 16, No. 5 (May 1991).
• 1784 Tax List, 1784, Catawba-Wateree Messenger. (March 1991).
• 1784 Tax List, 1784, Carolina Genealogist, No. 13 (Winter 1973).
• 1832 Ochenkowski, J.P. "1832 Tax List for the Town of Camden," The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Winter 1980):27-28.FHL Book 975.7 B2sc v. 8
• 1848-1849 Draine, Tony. Kershaw District, South Carolina Tax List, 1848 & 1849. Columbia, S.C.: Congaree Publications, 1986. FHL Book 975.761 R48d
• 1864, 1876, 1900 County Auditor's Locations for Polling and Tax Collection, 1876, 1864, 1900, Update (Camden, S.C.), Vol. 8, No. 3 (Jun. 2004).
• 1915 County Auditor Book, Apr. 1915, Camden (sel.), Catawba-Wateree Messenger, Vol. 14, No. 7 (Aug. 2001).

Vital Records

Birth, marriage, and death records were not recorded by South Carolina until the 1900s, thus leaving a lack of vital records created by Civil authorities. See South Carolina Vital Records for online resources and suggestions.

• 1816-1865 Marriage and Death Notices from Camden, South Carolina, Newspapers, 1816-1865 by Brent H. Holcomb FHL Collection WorldCat - index
  
• 1822-1842 Digital view at FamilySearch Digital Library of Marriages and Death Notices Abstracted From Newspapers Published in Camden, South Carolina, 1822-1842 by Janie Revill FHL Collection - index

Birth

State-wide birth registration did not begin until 1915. For records after 1915, see the South Carolina Vital Records page.

• 1766-1900 South Carolina, Delayed Birth Certificates, 1766-1900 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index & Images
• 1915-1917 South Carolina, U.S., Births, 1915-1917 at Ancestry - index & images ($)

Marriage

In South Carolina, Probate Courts issued and still keep marriage licenses from 1 July 1911 to the present. Licenses were not required before 1911. In the 1700s, the Church of England parish churches were required to record all marriages - even if the couple were not members of the denomination. Statewide registration of marriages started in July, 1950. See South Carolina Vital Records for indexes and more information.

Online Marriage Records and Indexes

• 1913-1920 Kershaw, South Carolina and Surrounding Area: Abstracts from the Kershaw Era and the Camden Chronicle, 1913-1920 by Carol P. McNaughton FHL Collection WorldCat - index
  
• 1938-1950 Kershaw County, South Carolina Marriage Licenses, Aug. 1938-Dec. 1950 FHL Collection
  
• There are several online marriage indexes containing miscellaneous marriage records found insome counties of South Carolina listed on the South Carolina Vital Records page.

Death

State-wide death registration began in 1915. For information and online records, see the South Carolina Vital Records page.

Online Death Records and Indexes

• 1800-1900- CSI: Dixie collects 1583 coroners reports from six South Carolina counties for the years 1800-1900.
• 1816-1990 South Carolina Deaths and Burials, 1816-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index
• 1821-1969 South Carolina, U.S., Death Records, 1821-1969 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
• 1915-1943 South Carolina, Deaths, 1915-1943 at MyHeritage - index & images ($)
• 1915-1965 South Carolina Deaths, 1915-1965 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Index & Images
• State-wide South Carolina Death Indexes. There are several online death indexes covering all of South Carolina listed on the South Carolina Vital Records page.

Research Facilities

Archives

Listed below are archives in Kershaw County. For state-wide library facilities, see South Carolina Archives and Libraries.

Family History Centers

Family History Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local Family History Centers or Affiliate Libraries

• Family History Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
• FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a family history center.
  

Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries

• Camden South Carolina Family History Center
• Columbia South Carolina Family History Center
• West Columbia South Carolina Family History Center

• Fairfield County Genealogical Society - an affiliate library
• Richland County Public Library - an affiliate library

Libraries

Listed below are libraries in Kershaw County. For state-wide library facilities, see South Carolina Archives and Libraries.

Societies

Listed below are societies in Kershaw County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see South Carolina Societies.

• Kershaw County Historical Society
  P.O. Box 501
  Camden SC 29020
  (803) 425-1123
  Email: kershawcountyhistoricalsociety@gmail.com
  Website Facebook
• The Old Camden District Genealogical Society
  1314 Broad Street
  Camden SC 29020-3535
  Website

Websites

• Kershaw County, SCGenWeb
• Kershaw County, South Carolina Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
• South Carolina Pioneers South Carolina Pioneers

• FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.

Research Guides

• South Carolina Archives Summary Guide: Kershaw County, available online, courtesy: South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Family History Library

This website requires a paid subscription for full access.

FamilySearch affiliate libraries may have access to center-only databases, but do not always have all services normally provided by a family history center.