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.
OEDAAGS February Meeting
The February meeting of the Old Edgefield District African American Genealogical Society (OEDAAGS) will be held Sunday afternoon, February 12, 2012, at 3:00 p. m., in the Lynch Building annex of the Tompkins Library, 104 Courthouse Square, Edgefield, S. C.
The speaker will be Mr. Kevin Lowther, a member of OEDGS and OEDAAGS, who has recently published a wonderful book, The African American Odyssey of John Kizell: A South Carolina Slave Returns to Fight the Slave Trade in His African Homeland. The inspirational story of John Kizell celebrates the life of a West African enslaved as a boy and brought to South Carolina on the eve of the American Revolution. Fleeing his owner, Kizell served with the British military in the Revolutionary War, began a family in the Nova Scotian wilderness, then returned to his African homeland to help found a settlement for freed slaves in Sierra Leone. He spent decades battling European and African slave traders along the coast and urging his people to stop selling their own into foreign bondage. This in-depth biography—based in part on Kizell’s own writings—illuminates the links between South Carolina and West Africa during the Atlantic slave trade’s peak decades.
Mr. Lowther will give a presentation on John Kizell and sign copies of his book, which will be available for purchase at the meeting. Additionally, this is usually the annual Show and Tell meeting of OEDAAGS, so attendees of the meeting are encouraged to bring items to show at the meeting. Paying tribute to Edgefield County ancestors through family stories and heirlooms is a wonderful way to celebrate Black History Month.
The public is invited and refreshments will be served. For more details, please contact Tonya at 803-637-4010 or OEDGS85@gmail.com.
The speaker will be Mr. Kevin Lowther, a member of OEDGS and OEDAAGS, who has recently published a wonderful book, The African American Odyssey of John Kizell: A South Carolina Slave Returns to Fight the Slave Trade in His African Homeland. The inspirational story of John Kizell celebrates the life of a West African enslaved as a boy and brought to South Carolina on the eve of the American Revolution. Fleeing his owner, Kizell served with the British military in the Revolutionary War, began a family in the Nova Scotian wilderness, then returned to his African homeland to help found a settlement for freed slaves in Sierra Leone. He spent decades battling European and African slave traders along the coast and urging his people to stop selling their own into foreign bondage. This in-depth biography—based in part on Kizell’s own writings—illuminates the links between South Carolina and West Africa during the Atlantic slave trade’s peak decades.
Mr. Lowther will give a presentation on John Kizell and sign copies of his book, which will be available for purchase at the meeting. Additionally, this is usually the annual Show and Tell meeting of OEDAAGS, so attendees of the meeting are encouraged to bring items to show at the meeting. Paying tribute to Edgefield County ancestors through family stories and heirlooms is a wonderful way to celebrate Black History Month.
The public is invited and refreshments will be served. For more details, please contact Tonya at 803-637-4010 or OEDGS85@gmail.com.
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 BOOK FOR SALE
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.
