Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society |
Welcome to the Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society
The purpose of Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society (OEDGS) is to promote genealogical and historical research in Old Edgefield District. OEDGS was headquartered in the Tompkins Memorial Library buildings, in the Town of Edgefield, for almost forty years. The facilities were wonderful and provided an ideal climate for our many members and guests to visit and research our extensive collections. However, OEDGS has moved its library to a new location, in the Town of Johnston (still in Edgefield County).
On this note, OEDGS is the largest genealogical society in the state of South Carolina with over 400 members across 40 states, and in England. OEDGS’ library collection, now housed in the Johnston Genealogical Research Center, encompasses over 5,500 historical and genealogical books, approximately 2,500 Surname files, 2,000 Subject files, hundreds of reels of microfilm, a digital archive, a large selection of African-American and Native American genealogical resources, and is constantly adding to its library collection. 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. The Society welcomes additional material from members and researchers to add to these collections.
The OEDGS board and volunteers hosted the Grand Opening of the Johnston Genealogical Research Center, in the Town of Johnston, on Sunday, March 9th, with over 150 people in attendance. This space encompasses over 4,500 square feet and is customized to our design. We now have a climate-controlled room to protect the files and rare books. There is also a conference room, a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a large open space that will serve as the “Stacks” for our book collection and research area. We wish to thank the Town of Johnston for making us feel so welcome and renovating this building for us. Johnston is a very lovely town and is only eight miles from the Town of Edgefield (about a ten-minute drive). It has much to offer in the way of restaurants and places to visit. The Johnston Genealogical Research Center is now open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. and on Saturdays by appointment. We hope that you will plan a visit to see it in the near future!
Please contact us by email at OEDGS85@gmail.com or phone at 803-991-0492 if you have any questions or concerns.
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.]
On this note, OEDGS is the largest genealogical society in the state of South Carolina with over 400 members across 40 states, and in England. OEDGS’ library collection, now housed in the Johnston Genealogical Research Center, encompasses over 5,500 historical and genealogical books, approximately 2,500 Surname files, 2,000 Subject files, hundreds of reels of microfilm, a digital archive, a large selection of African-American and Native American genealogical resources, and is constantly adding to its library collection. 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. The Society welcomes additional material from members and researchers to add to these collections.
The OEDGS board and volunteers hosted the Grand Opening of the Johnston Genealogical Research Center, in the Town of Johnston, on Sunday, March 9th, with over 150 people in attendance. This space encompasses over 4,500 square feet and is customized to our design. We now have a climate-controlled room to protect the files and rare books. There is also a conference room, a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a large open space that will serve as the “Stacks” for our book collection and research area. We wish to thank the Town of Johnston for making us feel so welcome and renovating this building for us. Johnston is a very lovely town and is only eight miles from the Town of Edgefield (about a ten-minute drive). It has much to offer in the way of restaurants and places to visit. The Johnston Genealogical Research Center is now open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. and on Saturdays by appointment. We hope that you will plan a visit to see it in the near future!
Please contact us by email at OEDGS85@gmail.com or phone at 803-991-0492 if you have any questions or concerns.
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.]
Southern Authors Expo
Do you want some good reading material for the coming fall and winter months or are you looking to learn more about local history? If so, then make plans to attend the Southern Authors Expo!
The “Southern Authors Expo” will be held on Saturday, September 13th, 2025, from 10:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m., at the Johnston Genealogical Research Center, 405 Calhoun Street, Johnston, SC. Attendees will meet award-winning Southern authors: Dr. Walter Curry, Jr., Ms. Patricia G. McNeely, Ms. Alexia Jones Helsley, Ms. Karen Stokes, Ms. Aliene Humphries, Mr. Marion F. Sturkey, Mr. Scott Jones, and Ms. Beth Francis. They will be on hand to educate visitors about their field(s) of interest and sell/sign their books.
There will also be other venders and organizations, including Mr. Lee Burton from Battery Street Books, in Columbia, SC, Mr. LaBruce Lucas from Southern Historical Press, in Greenville, SC, Edgefield County Historical Society, Augusta Genealogical Society, and Beech Island Historical Society.
The “Southern Authors Expo” is sponsored by Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society (OEDGS). This event is open and free to the public! For more information, please contact Tonya Guy at 803-991-0492 or OEDGS85@gmail.com. You may also visit our "Meetings, Events & Happenings" page for more details on our fabulous authors.
The “Southern Authors Expo” will be held on Saturday, September 13th, 2025, from 10:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m., at the Johnston Genealogical Research Center, 405 Calhoun Street, Johnston, SC. Attendees will meet award-winning Southern authors: Dr. Walter Curry, Jr., Ms. Patricia G. McNeely, Ms. Alexia Jones Helsley, Ms. Karen Stokes, Ms. Aliene Humphries, Mr. Marion F. Sturkey, Mr. Scott Jones, and Ms. Beth Francis. They will be on hand to educate visitors about their field(s) of interest and sell/sign their books.
There will also be other venders and organizations, including Mr. Lee Burton from Battery Street Books, in Columbia, SC, Mr. LaBruce Lucas from Southern Historical Press, in Greenville, SC, Edgefield County Historical Society, Augusta Genealogical Society, and Beech Island Historical Society.
The “Southern Authors Expo” is sponsored by Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society (OEDGS). This event is open and free to the public! For more information, please contact Tonya Guy at 803-991-0492 or OEDGS85@gmail.com. You may also visit our "Meetings, Events & Happenings" page for more details on our fabulous authors.
OEDGS September Meeting
The public is cordially invited to the Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society meeting on Sunday, September 14th, 2025, at 3:00 p. m., in the Johnston Genealogical Research Center, 405 Calhoun Street, Johnston, SC.
The guest speaker will be Ms. Alexia Jones Helsley, and her topic of discussion will be “Wicked Edisto: A walk on the wild side.” Ms. Helsley is a Senior Instructor in History and serves as University Archivist for USC Aiken. She teaches South Carolina, Ancient, Medieval and Public History. Prior to joining USCA, Helsley worked as an archivist for the SC Department of Archives and History.
The author of several books on South Carolina and regional history, The History Press will publish Ms. Helsley’s latest, Rebecca Motte in the American Revolution [tentative title] in 2026. Other publications include: A History of North Carolina Wine: from Scuppernong to Syrah, Wicked Edisto: the Dark Side of Eden, and The Lost History of Aiken County. Helsley also contributed requested chapters to South Carolina Women: their Lives and Times, the South Carolina Encyclopedia, Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy, and Recovering the Piedmont Past, II.
Recipient of the SC Governor’s Archives Award, the SCDAR Bobby Gilmer Moss Award, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the SC Archival Association, Helsley is a former president of SC Historical Association, a board member of the Nineteenth Century Studies Association, president of the Pace Society of America, and chairs the SC Old Exchange Commission.
After the lecture, refreshments will be served.
The guest speaker will be Ms. Alexia Jones Helsley, and her topic of discussion will be “Wicked Edisto: A walk on the wild side.” Ms. Helsley is a Senior Instructor in History and serves as University Archivist for USC Aiken. She teaches South Carolina, Ancient, Medieval and Public History. Prior to joining USCA, Helsley worked as an archivist for the SC Department of Archives and History.
The author of several books on South Carolina and regional history, The History Press will publish Ms. Helsley’s latest, Rebecca Motte in the American Revolution [tentative title] in 2026. Other publications include: A History of North Carolina Wine: from Scuppernong to Syrah, Wicked Edisto: the Dark Side of Eden, and The Lost History of Aiken County. Helsley also contributed requested chapters to South Carolina Women: their Lives and Times, the South Carolina Encyclopedia, Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy, and Recovering the Piedmont Past, II.
Recipient of the SC Governor’s Archives Award, the SCDAR Bobby Gilmer Moss Award, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the SC Archival Association, Helsley is a former president of SC Historical Association, a board member of the Nineteenth Century Studies Association, president of the Pace Society of America, and chairs the SC Old Exchange Commission.
After the lecture, refreshments will be served.
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Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society
PO Box 546 Edgefield, SC 29824-0546 803-991-0492 OEDGS85@gmail.com |
Johnston Genealogical Research Center
is located at 405 Calhoun Street, Johnston, SC 29832 OPEN: Monday through Friday 9:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M. Saturdays by appointment excluding holidays |
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