Welcome To The Official Web Site Of
Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society
Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society (OEDGS) was founded in 1985 and chartered as a chapter member of the South Carolina Genealogical Society on January 6, 1985. For a number of years, OEDGS has been the largest genealogical society in South Carolina, with over 600 members in 40 states. In November 2005, the Old Edgefield District African American Genealogical Society (OEDAAGS) was formed under the umbrella of OEDGS, and in April 2008, OEDGS became the headquarters for the South Carolina Genealogical Society (SCGS).
The purpose of the OEDGS is to promote genealogical and historical research in Old Edgefield District. To this end, the Society maintains a large collection of newspapers (both hard copies and microfilm); many Old Edgefield County records, such as probate records (wills and deeds), censuses and mortality tables. There is an extensive collection of family histories as well, with new titles being acquired regularly. Many of these histories were donated by the authors or by family members.
OEDGS also has over 2,000 surname files available to researchers, which contain Bible records, newspaper clippings, letters, lineage charts, diary excerpts, and other information. The Society also has subject files, which include church histories, cemetery surveys, information on historic homes and communities, etc. The Society welcomes additional material from members and researchers to add to these collections.
On the shelf is a vast amount of information on other South Carolina counties as well as other states, especially the southern states. In addition, there are general books on period history, such as the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and Reconstruction.
OEDGS is a non-profit organization supported by memberships, donations, and sale of publications. [The Internal Revenue Code, Section 501 (3) allows tax deductions for the value of materials donated to the Chapter.]
OEDGS records are housed in the Tompkins Memorial Library located at 104 Courthouse Square in Edgefield, South Carolina. The library is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a. m. to 1:30 p. m.(except holidays). For more information, call 803-637-4010.
The purpose of the OEDGS is to promote genealogical and historical research in Old Edgefield District. To this end, the Society maintains a large collection of newspapers (both hard copies and microfilm); many Old Edgefield County records, such as probate records (wills and deeds), censuses and mortality tables. There is an extensive collection of family histories as well, with new titles being acquired regularly. Many of these histories were donated by the authors or by family members.
OEDGS also has over 2,000 surname files available to researchers, which contain Bible records, newspaper clippings, letters, lineage charts, diary excerpts, and other information. The Society also has subject files, which include church histories, cemetery surveys, information on historic homes and communities, etc. The Society welcomes additional material from members and researchers to add to these collections.
On the shelf is a vast amount of information on other South Carolina counties as well as other states, especially the southern states. In addition, there are general books on period history, such as the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and Reconstruction.
OEDGS is a non-profit organization supported by memberships, donations, and sale of publications. [The Internal Revenue Code, Section 501 (3) allows tax deductions for the value of materials donated to the Chapter.]
OEDGS records are housed in the Tompkins Memorial Library located at 104 Courthouse Square in Edgefield, South Carolina. The library is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a. m. to 1:30 p. m.(except holidays). For more information, call 803-637-4010.
OEDGS January Meeting
The Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society will meet on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 3:00 p. m. in the Lynch Building Annex of the Tompkins Library, Edgefield, SC.
The guest speaker, Mr. Eric Williams, of Greenwood, SC, will give a presentation on the "Revolutionary War Medical Corp." Mr. Williams retired as the Chief Park Ranger/Historian of the Ninety Six National Historic Site after thirty-two years of government service (National Park Service).Heis a life member of the Sons of the American Revolution and has been a living history reenactor since 1975, participating as a French & Indian War and Revolutionary War soldier. He also portrays an apothecary and surgeon following intensive research on medicine and medical practices of the 1700’s. He portrays these roles at local historic sites, state and national parks providing education and entertainment.
The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.
The guest speaker, Mr. Eric Williams, of Greenwood, SC, will give a presentation on the "Revolutionary War Medical Corp." Mr. Williams retired as the Chief Park Ranger/Historian of the Ninety Six National Historic Site after thirty-two years of government service (National Park Service).Heis a life member of the Sons of the American Revolution and has been a living history reenactor since 1975, participating as a French & Indian War and Revolutionary War soldier. He also portrays an apothecary and surgeon following intensive research on medicine and medical practices of the 1700’s. He portrays these roles at local historic sites, state and national parks providing education and entertainment.
The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.
Old Edgefield District Confederate Soldiers Wanted
A biographical book project is underway featuring Old Edgefield District Confederate soldiers. This includes men from what are now Edgefield, McCormick, Aiken, Greenwood, and Saluda Counties.
If you have Confederate ancestors from Old Edgefield District and are interested in participating in this project that is dedicated to honoring these heroes of the South, please send in photographs, stories, letters, diaries, obituaries, service and/or pension records, family histories, etc. concerning these men. You will be given full credit for whatever material you contribute. For more information, please call Tonya at 803-637-4010 or e-mail her at OEDGS85@gmail.com.
If you have Confederate ancestors from Old Edgefield District and are interested in participating in this project that is dedicated to honoring these heroes of the South, please send in photographs, stories, letters, diaries, obituaries, service and/or pension records, family histories, etc. concerning these men. You will be given full credit for whatever material you contribute. For more information, please call Tonya at 803-637-4010 or e-mail her at OEDGS85@gmail.com.
NEW BOOKS FOR SALE
2011 Fall Meeting of the Edgefield County Historical Society: Celebrating Halcyon Grove
The Edgefield County Historical Society held their fall meeting on Sunday, October 16, 2011 at Halcyon Grove, one of the most beautiful and historic homes in the town of Edgefield. The meeting was held there to celebrate a South Carolina Historical Marker being erected at the site. In honor of this occasion, a booklet was published titled 2011 Fall Meeting of the Edgefield County Historical Society: Celebrating Halcyon Grove. This well-documented publication gives a concise and extensive history of not only Halcyon Grove and its various owners, but also of the area and people surrounding it. It is also wonderfully illustrated with plats and photographs.
Some of the people and places mentioned include the William Simkins grant, Dr. D. V. P. Williamson house, Isaac Lesesne tract, Presley Bland tract, Edmund Bacon, Eldred Simkins, Pottersville, Edgefield Village Academy, J. W. Johnston lot, George McDuffie, Whitfield Brooks, Mims-Norris house, the name "Buncombe," Billy the Fiddler, John Presley, Behethland Brooks Simkins, Edgefield Village Baptist Church, Dr. William Brazier, Daniel Bird, Francis W. Pickens, Edgefield Methodist Church, Oakley Park, Tom Bird, Andrew Pickens, John Lipscomb, Sarah Marcy Bonham Lipscomb, Mary Eliza Cary Lipscomb, James B. Sullivan, Bonham family, Nicholson/Bates family, Lucy Jane Nicholson Bates, John Curran Hartley, Jack and Curran Feltham family, and Tim and Beth Shealy Worth.
This booklet is soft bound, 47 pages, and can be purchased from OEDGS for $15.00 + $2.00 p/h.
Some of the people and places mentioned include the William Simkins grant, Dr. D. V. P. Williamson house, Isaac Lesesne tract, Presley Bland tract, Edmund Bacon, Eldred Simkins, Pottersville, Edgefield Village Academy, J. W. Johnston lot, George McDuffie, Whitfield Brooks, Mims-Norris house, the name "Buncombe," Billy the Fiddler, John Presley, Behethland Brooks Simkins, Edgefield Village Baptist Church, Dr. William Brazier, Daniel Bird, Francis W. Pickens, Edgefield Methodist Church, Oakley Park, Tom Bird, Andrew Pickens, John Lipscomb, Sarah Marcy Bonham Lipscomb, Mary Eliza Cary Lipscomb, James B. Sullivan, Bonham family, Nicholson/Bates family, Lucy Jane Nicholson Bates, John Curran Hartley, Jack and Curran Feltham family, and Tim and Beth Shealy Worth.
This booklet is soft bound, 47 pages, and can be purchased from OEDGS for $15.00 + $2.00 p/h.
Guardianship Records of Old Edgefield District, S. C.,
1787-1900
The guardianship records contained in this book were extracted from the Miscellaneous Edgefield County Records (Loose Papers) in the Edgefield County Archives. They range from 1787 to 1900.
The records include but are not limited to Guardianship Bonds, Guardianship Returns, petitions, letters, Guardianships for Free Persons of Color, and other court related documents (such as deeds, wills, probates, equities, Court of Common Pleas, etc.)
It is important to note that not all of the people who had guardians were actually children. There were also married women with a trustee, free persons of color, and lunatics. Researchers also need to understand that a person recorded as an infant and/or minor was anyone under the age of twenty-one years.
Guardianship Records of Old Edgefield District, S. C. is soft bound, 291 pages, alphabetized by "Minor Child" and has an index of all other persons mentioned. The cost of this book is $40.00 + $4.00 p/h and can be ordered only from OEDGS.
The records include but are not limited to Guardianship Bonds, Guardianship Returns, petitions, letters, Guardianships for Free Persons of Color, and other court related documents (such as deeds, wills, probates, equities, Court of Common Pleas, etc.)
It is important to note that not all of the people who had guardians were actually children. There were also married women with a trustee, free persons of color, and lunatics. Researchers also need to understand that a person recorded as an infant and/or minor was anyone under the age of twenty-one years.
Guardianship Records of Old Edgefield District, S. C. is soft bound, 291 pages, alphabetized by "Minor Child" and has an index of all other persons mentioned. The cost of this book is $40.00 + $4.00 p/h and can be ordered only from OEDGS.
Edgefield Advertisers
To help make travel plans to Edgefield easier for researchers and to support local businesses, OEDGS decided to publish paid ads by certified genealogists, restaurants, lodging, and historic / tourist sites in Quill and on the web site. Please check out these advertisers below and give them your patronage during your next visit to Edgefield.
