Aiken County Genealogy Records
Aiken County genealogy research draws on a rich collection of records held by the county Probate Court, Register of Deeds, and local library. Formed in 1871, Aiken County developed a distinct identity as a winter retreat for wealthy families from the North and as a center of textile production. These historical layers created a diverse genealogy record base. You can search Aiken County genealogy records in person at county offices, through the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, and through several online databases at no cost.
Aiken County Quick Facts
Aiken County Probate Court Genealogy Records
The Aiken County Probate Court is the primary local source for marriage licenses and estate records used in genealogy research. The court maintains marriage records from 1911 to 1950, which predate the state vital records system. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 20-1-20, every marriage license in South Carolina requires a written application filed with the Probate Court. The Judge of Probate must keep a permanent record of all marriage licenses issued, as required by § 20-1-270. For Aiken County marriages from 1950 onward, contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
Estate records at the Aiken County Probate Court include wills, inventories, guardianship files, and administration papers. These documents name heirs, list property, and establish family relationships that are difficult to document through other sources. Probate inventories from the 19th and early 20th century are particularly detailed for Aiken County genealogy research. The court is located at 109 Park Avenue SE, Aiken, SC 29801. Phone: (803) 642-1712.
The Probate Court is open during regular business hours. Call ahead to confirm current hours and ask what identification or documentation you need to bring when requesting Aiken County genealogy records.
Searching Aiken County Genealogy Records Online
Several free online resources provide access to Aiken County genealogy records without visiting the courthouse. The South Carolina Archives Online Records Index is the best starting point. This database covers will transcripts, land grant plats, Confederate veteran records, and court records held by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Search by name or topic to find entries connected to Aiken County ancestors.
The South Carolina Judicial Branch Public Index at sccourts.org provides access to court case records. You can search by party name or case number for cases filed in Aiken County courts. The system shows party names, filing dates, and case status. For copies of actual documents, you need to contact the Clerk of Court or visit the courthouse in Aiken.
FamilySearch maintains an Aiken County genealogy wiki with guidance on available record collections. The site holds digitized records including probate files, land records, and census data for Aiken County. The SCGenWeb Archives provides volunteer-contributed indexes and transcriptions for Aiken County including cemetery records and family histories.
Note: The Online Records Index at archivesindex.sc.gov covers many but not all SCDAH holdings. For records not indexed online, visit the SCDAH Research Room in Columbia.
Vital Records for Aiken County Genealogy
Birth and death registration became mandatory in South Carolina on January 1, 1915. Under S.C. Code Ann. § 44-63-10, every birth in the state must be registered within five days. Death registration requirements are established under § 44-63-80. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds birth certificates for 1915 to 1918 and death certificates for 1915 to 1963. The SCDAH Research Room is at 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223. Phone: (803) 896-6100.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia maintains birth and death records from 1915 to the present. Death certificates become public records after 50 years under § 44-63-84. Access to certified copies is restricted under § 44-63-140 to the person named, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a direct and tangible interest. Researchers can order certified copies online, by mail, or in person at the DPH office in Columbia.
Aiken County marriage licenses from July 1, 1911 to June 30, 1950 are held by the Aiken County Probate Court. For Aiken County marriages from July 1950 onward, contact the Division of Vital Records at DPH. The South Carolina death index for genealogy covers deaths from 1915 through 1967 and is free to search online. This index is useful when you know an ancestor died in Aiken County but need to narrow down the date or location.
For Aiken County genealogy records before 1915, researchers rely on church records, probate files, census data, and county court documents rather than statewide vital records.
Aiken County Register of Deeds and Land Records
Land records are among the most valuable genealogy sources for Aiken County research. The Register of Deeds maintains deeds, mortgages, plats, and liens dating back to the county's formation in 1871. The office is located at 1930 University Parkway, Aiken, SC 29801. Phone: (803) 642-2015.
Deeds often identify family members, heirs, and neighbors. Plat maps show the physical layout of family land and can help trace property through generations. Mortgage records establish financial relationships that are part of the genealogy picture. South Carolina land records are preserved at the county level under Title 30 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, which requires counties to maintain these public documents. Land records for Aiken County before 1871 may be found in the parent counties from which Aiken was formed.
The SCDAH Online Records Index includes plats for state land grants from 1784 to 1868. These early plats predate Aiken County's formation and are held at SCDAH in Columbia. They document the original allocation of land in the Aiken area and are useful for colonial-era and early statehood genealogy research in the region.
Aiken County Library and Historical Resources
The Aiken County Public Library at 314 Chesterfield Street SW, Aiken, SC 29801 maintains a local history collection with genealogical resources specific to Aiken County. Phone: (803) 642-2020. The library provides access to census records, local newspapers, and family history materials. City directories, obituary files, and historical photographs are often held in county library collections and can provide context and detail for genealogy research in Aiken County.
The Aiken County Historical Museum preserves artifacts and documents related to Aiken County's unique history as a winter colony for wealthy Northern families. The museum maintains family papers, photographs, and other materials that can support genealogy research for both longtime Aiken County families and those who wintered there. Aiken's winter colony era drew prominent families from the northeastern United States, which means Aiken County genealogy records may intersect with records from other states.
The South Carolina Historical Society in Charleston at 100 Meeting Street holds statewide manuscript collections, genealogy vertical files, and research notes that cover Aiken County families. Their holdings include plantation records, business papers, and personal correspondence that are not available elsewhere.
Note: The Aiken County Historical Museum may have specific collections related to the winter colony era families that are not indexed in statewide databases.
South Carolina Archives and Online Resources for Aiken County
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds microfilm and digital records that supplement what is available at the county level. SCDAH holds records for Aiken County including court records, land documents, and census materials. The Research Room in Columbia is open to the public and provides access to microfilm readers, computers, and a small research library. Staff can assist with research queries by mail, phone, or email.
The SCDAH Digital Collections include Confederate Pension Applications from 1919 to 1938. These applications contain veteran names, unit information, and service details that are valuable for Aiken County genealogy research from the Civil War era. Will Transcripts from 1782 to 1855 and colonial plats are also available digitally. School Insurance Photographs from 1935 to 1952 document Aiken County students and schools from that era.
The South Carolina State Library provides a genealogy guide that explains which office holds each type of record based on the date range. This guide is especially helpful when you are not sure whether to contact SCDAH, DPH, or the county Probate Court for a specific Aiken County genealogy record. The library is at 1500 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: (803) 734-8666.
The Library of Congress South Carolina genealogy guide provides a curated list of resources including vital records, census records, and local history materials covering Aiken County and the rest of the state.
Cities in Aiken County
Aiken County includes the city of Aiken and the city of North Augusta. Genealogy records for residents of these cities are maintained at the Aiken County Probate Court and Register of Deeds.
Nearby Counties
Aiken County borders several South Carolina counties. If your ancestor lived near a county line, records may be found in a neighboring county as well.