Oconee County, South Carolina Genealogy

United States

South Carolina

Oconee County

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

South Carolina Online Genealogy Records

County Facts County seat: Walhalla Organized: January 29, 1868 Parent County(s): Pickens Neighboring Counties Anderson  • Franklin (GA)  • Habersham (GA)  • Hart (GA)  • Jackson (NC)  • Macon (NC)  • Pickens  • Rabun (GA)  • Stephens(GA)  • Transylvania (NC) See County Maps Courthouse Location Map Adoption This page is available for adoption

County Information

Description

The County was named from the Cherokee word "Ae-quo-nee" meaning "land beside the water." Oconee was a local Cherokee town that was situated on the main British/Cherokee trading path between Charleston and the Mississippi River in the early 18th century. The County is located in the northwest location of the state.

County Courthouse

Oconee County Courthouse
205 West Main Street
Walhalla, SC 29691
Phone: 864-916-7306
Oconee County Website

County Pronunciation
Hear it spoken

Oconee 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	1868	1868	1868	1790
* Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1915. General compliance by 1918.

Record Loss

There is no known history of courthouse disasters in this county.

Boundary Changes

Parent Counties: Created from Pickens County, January 29, 1868. County seat: Walhalla Interactive Map of South Carolina County Formation History (1790-1897) - animated maps illustrating South Carolina county boundary changes Oconee 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
Seneca	Walhalla	Westminster
Towns
Salem	West Union
Unincorporated communities
Long Creek Madison Mountain Rest	Oakway Richland Tamassee	Tokeena Crossroads Townville
Census-designated places
Fair Play	Newry	Utica

Resources

Cemeteries

Cemeteries of Oconee County, South Carolina online and in print
Tombstone Transcriptions Online	Find A Grave SCGenWeb 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 Oconee County, South Carolina Cemeteries.
• National Cemetery Administration
• Cemetery GPS Mapping

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

Federal

Historical populations
Census	Pop.	%±
1870	10,536	—
1880	16,256	54.3%
1890	18,687	15.0%
1900	23,634	26.5%
1910	27,337	15.7%
1920	30,117	10.2%
1930	33,368	10.8%
1940	36,512	9.4%
1950	39,050	7.0%
1960	40,204	3.0%
1970	40,728	1.3%
1980	48,611	19.4%
1990	57,494	18.3%
2000	66,215	15.2%
2010	74,273	12.2%
Source: "Wikipedia.org".

• 1890 United States Census 1890

Church Records

Baptist

• Shoal Creek - records (1796-1853) available on microfilm at University of NC Davis Library (Serial 1-1274).

Presbyterian

• The Old Stone Church, Oconee County, South Carolina. Columbia, S.C.?: Old Stone Church and Cemetery Association with cooperation of the Andrew Pickens and Cateechee Chapters, D.A.R., 1905. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

List of Churches and Church Parishes

• FamilySearch Places
  

Court Records

Online Court Indexes and Records

• Oconee County has court records from 1868 that are held in the office of the Clerk of Court. Since Oconee County was formed from Pickens County the records of this county may also be searched.
• The South Carolina Archives and History Center has court records available on microfilm for Oconee County.

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups

African Americans
United States African Americans African American Resources for South Carolina

• Megginson, W.J. Black Soldiers in World War I: Anderson, Pickens and Oconee Counties, South Carolina; with a Discussion of Pensions for Civil War Slave Labor. Seneca, S.C.: Oconee County Historical Society, 1994. FHL Book 975.72 M2m

Known plantations South Carolina Plantations:

• Florideville
• Seneca
• Westville

Native American

• Seaborn, Margaret Mills. From 1730 through 1776, Cherokee Indian Towns of Oconee County, South Carolina: With Principal Paths. n.p.: n.p., 1974. Map. FHL 975.721 E7sm

Genealogies

• [Ballenger] Knox, John Ballenger. The Ballenger Family of Oconee County, South Carolina. Seneca, S.C.: Grady Woodfin Ballenger, [1956]. FHL Book 929.273 B212k
• [Beck] Koyle, Susan Lewis and Patricia Lewis Cramer. Ancestors and Descendants of Colonel Samuel Beck and Tabitha Langston. 1997. FHL Book 929.273 B388k, film 2055371 Item 1; digital version at FamilySearch Digital Library.
• [Cain] Malone, James T. and Royleta Clopton Malone. William Cain Sr. and His Descendants 1795-2000: With Allied Lines of Murdock, Gibson, Cole and Others, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma. Hemet, Calif.: J.T. Malone, 2001. FHL 929.273 C123mj, film 1440386 Item 7
• [Davis] Mentzel, Laura W. Davis Families of the Savannah River Valley: Containing a Record of the Descendants of Van and Harmon Davis from 1725-1978, Covering the Counties of Newberry, Anderson, Pickens, Oconee Counties of South Carolina; Habersham, Franklin, Hart, Stephens, Polk, Paulding, Gwinnett Counties of Georgia. Salt Lake City, Utah: Hobby Press, 1978. FHL Book 929.273 D29mL, fiche 6100901 (6 fiche)
• [Gilmer] Walker, Robert B. Our Family Genealogy. Typescript. Microfilmed 1960. FHL film 209590 Item 4
• [Grant] Grant, Bishop Franklin (Mrs.). Grant Family of South Carolina. Typescript. FHL film 219477 Item 4
• [Hair] Hair, Thomas Lee. The Long Journey, a Family History, 1687-1991: Embracing an Account of the Arrivals, Movements, and Ultimate Dispersal of the Southern Branches and Descendants of Eleven Allied Families: Adams, Ballenger, Cleveland, Duke, Hair, Harbin, Lewis, Lyles, O'Kelley, Trail, Ward. Spartanburg, S.C.: Reprint Company Publishers, 1992. FHL Book 929.273 H127hL
• [Hunter] Hunter, Raymond E. The Hunters and Related Families in the Southeastern United States. Augusta, Ga.: R.E. Hunter, 1990. FHL Book 929.273 H916hr
• [Queen] Russell, Jerry Franklin. Red-Redd, Russell, Powell. MSS., 1989. FHL 1697474 Item 13
• [Shedd] Campbell, A.G. Those Other Trapps: Including Some Allied Persons. [Alpine, Calif.]: A.G. Campbell, 1992. FHL Book 929.273 T689ca, film 1750738 Item 25

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.

• The settlement of Pendleton District, 1777-1800, FHL Book 975.72 W2c

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

Tracing Land Currently in Oconee County with Parent Counties and Districts

Date	Government Office
1868-present	Oconee County
1826-1868	Pickens District
1800-1826	Pendleton District
1795-1800	Pendleton County in Washington District
1789-1795	Pendleton County in Ninety-Six District
1769-1789	Ninety-Six District
1719-1769	Charleston District
1710-1719	Proprietary Land Grants

Local Histories

• History of old Pendleton District with a genealogy of the leading families of the district

1. 1913 version FHL Book 975.72 H2s 1913, fiche 6010898 (1 fiche), FHL Book 975.72 H2s index
2. 1978 version FHL Book 975.72 H2s 1978a, fiche 6010898 (1 fiche), FHL Book 975.72 H2s index

• The settlement of Pendleton District, 1777-1800 FHL 975.72 W2c

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

Early migration routes to and from Oconee County for European settlers included:, and William E. Myer, Indian Trails of the Southeast, 12-14, and the book's pocket map "The Trail System of the Southeastern United States in the early Colonial Period" (1923). (FHL Book 970.1 M992i) ▲

• Savannah River pre-historic
• Old Cherokee Path pre-historic
• Lower Cherokee Traders' Path pre-historic
• Coosa-Tugaloo Indian Warpath
• Tugaloo-Apalachee Bay Trail
• Augusta and Cherokee Trail in Georgia 1740s
• Old South Carolina State Road 1747
• Charleston-Ft. Charlotte Trail about 1765
• Fort Charlotte and Cherokee Old Path about 1777
• Upper Road about 1783
• Unicoi Trail or Turnpike 1813

Military Records

French and Indian War

• "Garrison at Ft. Prince George, 1756, Keowee," Tulsa Annals, January 1973, Volume 8, Issue 1. Tulsa Genealogical Society: Tulsa, OK. FHL 40544

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 Book 973 M2Lp v. 5; digital versions at Google Books and Internet Archive. See Vol. 5, South Carolina, Oconee County, p. 187. Identifies War of 1812 veterans living in this county in 1883.

South Carolina State Militia

• Holder, Frederick C.; South Carolina (State) Militia, 2nd Regiment; South Carolina (State) Militia, 5th Regiment; Oconee County Historical Society (Oconee County, South Carolina). The Bailey A. Barton Muster Roll Book of Pickens District, South Carolina [1858]. Seneca, S.C.: Oconee County Historical Society, 1990. FHL Collection Book 975.723 M2b; Film 1697757 item 12. Reviewed in The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 91, No. 4 (Oct. 1990):280-281. Digital version of review at JSTOR ($). Covers present Pickens and Oconee counties.

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. Oconee County was created in 1868, three years after the Civil War ended. Men living in the area of what is now Oconee County may have served in regiments from Pickens District/County.

- 1st Battalion, South Carolina Cavalry, Company F

- 1st Regiment, South Carolina Rifles (Orr's), Company A (also known as Kowee Riflemen), Company C (also known as Mountain Boys), Company E (also known as Oconee Riflemen), and Company F (also known as Blue Ridge Rifles)

- 2nd Regiment, South Carolina Rifles, Company B and Company C

- 10th Battalion, South Carolina Cavalry, Company B

Other Resources

• Bell, Louise Matheson. Rebels in Grey: Soldiers from Pickens District, 1861-1865 ( Seneca, S.C.: Greys of Oconee Chapter No. 1783, United Daughters of the Confederacy, ©1984), 172 pages. Concerns Pickens and Oconee Counties. WorldCat 11859701.

Newspapers

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

Historic
The Library of Congress has identified the following historic newspapers for Oconee 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.

• Farm and Factory (Seneca, S.C.) 1903-1929.
• Keowee Courier (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current.
• The Journal and Tribune (Seneca, S.C.) 1952-1985.
• The Journal/Tribune (Seneca, S.C.) 1985-current.
• The Messenger (Seneca, S.C.) 1954-current.
• The New Carolinian (Seneca, S.C.) 1897-1898.
• The Oconee News (Walhalla, S.C.) 1901-1911.
• The Seneca Journal (Seneca, S.C.) 1930-1952.
• The Westminster News (Westminster, S.C.) 1953-current.
• Tugaloo Tribune (Westminster, S.C.) 1909-1952.
• Walhalla Banner (Walhalla, S.C.) 185?-1???.

University of South Carolina Library Catalog

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

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.

• Old Pendleton District Newsletter

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 has microfilms or typescripts of wills, inventories, bills of sale, power of attorneys, bonds, notes, administrations, judgments, and sales records. Archival records include estate papers from 1790-1893 from the court of ordinary and probate court records, along with other corollary papers. Statewide Will Transcriptions, 1782 to 1855, database is available online with a searchable index by name. Images are available.
• Probate records for the county are available in probate court, court of ordinary, and court of equity. Early probate records may be found in Pendleton District. See probate index for these early records at:
• Judy Chandler Ballard. W.P.A. will transcripts of Pendleton District ; Anderson County, S.C., 1790-1857. Walterboro, South Carolina J.C. Ballard, (1995?).
• 1670-1980 South Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1670-1980 at Ancestry.com — index and images ($)
• 1671-1977 South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images Only
• 1732-1964 South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; Images Only
• 1737-1964 South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964 at Ancestry - images ($)
• 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 Oconee County.
  

Published abstracts

• 1864 Internal Revenue Assessment, 1864, Old Pendleton District Newsletter, Vol. 23, No. 3 (Mar. 2009).

To see how the Civil War financially impacted residents of Oconee County, South Carolina, compare values of real and personal estates on the 1860 Census, with 1866-1867 tax records:

• 1866-1867 Rich, Peggy Burton and Margarette Gibbs Ogle. Pickens District, South Carolina 1866 Tax List, January 1, 1866- January 1, 1867. n.p.: South Carolina Genealogical Society. Old Pendleton Chapter, 1991. FHL Book 975.72 R4r

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.

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 ($)

Birth Substitutes - Indexes

• 1849-1949 Keowee Courier Newspaper by Oconee County, South Carolina USGenWeb - index, incomplete

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

• 1826-1848; 1857-1871 Abstract of Marriages and Deaths from the Pendleton Messenger, 1826- 1848, the Keowee Courier, 1857-1871 WorldCat 54474080, FHL Collection - index
• 1849-1868 The Keowee Courier, 1849-1851, 1857-1861 and 1865-1868 by Colleen M. Elliot WorldCat 6421580, FHL Collection - missing years, index
• 1849-1949 Keowee Courier Newspaper by Oconee County, South Carolina USGenWeb - index, incomplete
• 1911-1950 Marriage Licenses, 1911-1950 FHL Collection - records
• 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

• 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 ($)
• 1826-1848; 1857-1871 Abstract of Marriages and Deaths from the Pendleton Messenger, 1826- 1848, the Keowee Courier, 1857-1871 WorldCat 54474080, FHL Collection - index
• 1849-1868 The Keowee Courier, 1849-1851, 1857-1861 and 1865-1868 by Colleen M. Elliot WorldCat 6421580, FHL Collection - missing years, index
• 1915-1943 South Carolina, Deaths, 1915-1943 at MyHeritage - index & images ($)
• 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 Oconee 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

• Anderson South Carolina Family History Center
• Cornelia Georgia Family History Center
• Seneca South Carolina Family History Center

• Greenville County Library System - an affiliate library
• York County Libraries - Clover - an affiliate library

Libraries

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

Libraries
Oconee County Public Library'The library has a South Carolina History/Local Genealogy collection housed at the main library in Walhalla. Holdings include family histories, historical maps, cemetery listings and indexes, biographies of noted South Carolinians, and the local newspapers on microfilm.Website

Items in the collection cannot be circulated or loaned to other libraries.The Library lacks sufficient staff to do research, nor do they respond to letters from persons requesting such services. Names and addresses of persons in the area who do research for a fee can be provided when such a person is known, However, staff may do limited searching when good information is provided. Costs to cover photocopying and postage are ($)5.00 per name searched.

• Walhalla Main Library
  Address:
  501 West South Broad Street
  Walhalla, SC 29691
  Telephone: 864-638-4133
  FAX: 864-638-4132
  Hours: Monday/Tuesday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Wednesday - Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sundays (Sept. - May) 2 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Salem Library
  Address:
  5-B Park Avenue
  Salem, SC 29676
  Telephone: 864-944-0912
  Hours: Monday 10:00 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday CLOSED
• Seneca Library
  Address:
  300 E. S. Second Street
  Seneca, SC 29678
  Telephone: 864-882-4855
  Hours: Mondays and Thursdays 9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday CLOSED
• Westminster Library
  Address:
  112 W. North Avenue
  Westminster, SC 29693
  Telephone: 864-647-3215
  Hours: Monday 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., Tuesday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sunday CLOSED

Museums

Oconee Heritage Center
123 Browns Square Drive
P.O. Box 395
Walhalla, SC 29691
Telephone: (864) 638-2224
Email: info@oconeeheritagecenter.org
Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm (and by special Appointment).
The Oconee Heritage Center (OHC) brings history back to life through museum exhibits, educational programs, festivals ,and more. Among other things visitors explore the history of Native Americans, Immigration, Railroads, New Deal Programs, Textile Mills, and Agriculture as it relates to Oconee County.Website

Societies

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

• Old Pendleton District SCGS Chapter
  P.O. Box 603
  Central SC 29630-0603
  E-mail: claytonroom@swi.edu
  Website

Old Pendleton District includes Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties.

• Oconee History Museum
  123 Browns Square Dr.
  Walhalla, SC
  864-638-2224
  E-mail: info@oconeehistorymuseum.org
  Website Facebook

Websites

• Oconee County, SCGenWeb
• Oconee County, USGenWeb Archives
• Oconee County, South Carolina Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
• OPDGS Research Center
• OPDGS Mainpage

• 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: Oconee County, available online, courtesy: South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
• Inventory of county archives of South Carolina no. 37, Oconee County (Walhalla) FHL Book 975.721 A5h, film 1425646 Item 5

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.