Pickens County Obituary Database
Pickens County obituary records help families discover their Upstate South Carolina heritage. The county was created in 1826 from Pendleton District. The county seat is Pickens. The county sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has beautiful scenery and rich history. The Pickens County Library System provides excellent genealogy resources for researchers.
Pickens County Quick Facts
Pickens County Library Obituary Resources
The Pickens County Library System offers unique services for obituary research. The library has uncertified copies of death certificates on microfilm. These are available for public viewing. You can email the library to request photocopies of death certificates.
This service is convenient for researchers. You do not need to visit in person. The library can send copies by mail or email. Contact the Pickens County Library for current procedures and fees.
The library maintains the Pickens Sentinel on microfilm. This local newspaper contains obituaries from many decades. Staff can help you locate specific issues. The library also provides access to online genealogy databases.
Ancestry Library Edition is available for public use. This database contains millions of records. You can search for death certificates and family trees. Visit the library to use this resource.
Note: The Pickens County Library accepts email requests for death certificate copies. This is a rare service among South Carolina libraries.
How to Search Pickens County Obituary Records
Searching for obituary records in Pickens County is straightforward. The library provides excellent support for researchers. Start with the name of the deceased and approximate death date. Contact the library for assistance.
The South Carolina Department of Public Health holds state death records. You can search the SC DPH death index online. This covers deaths from 1915 to 1962. The index has over 800,000 records.
For comprehensive research, try these resources:
- Pickens County Library death certificate microfilm
- FamilySearch South Carolina collections
- Pickens Sentinel newspaper archives
- Pickens County Probate Court estate records
The FamilySearch Pickens County page offers research guidance. This free resource lists available record collections. It helps you plan your search strategy.
Pickens County Probate Court Records
The Pickens County Probate Court maintains wills and estate records. These date from 1826 to the present. Estate files often contain obituary clippings and death notices. They provide valuable family information.
Probate records show property distribution after death. They name heirs and their relationships. This helps you build your family tree. Estate inventories list assets owned at death.
The Probate Court also issues marriage licenses. Records are available from 1911 onward. Visit the Pickens County Probate Court website for contact information. Staff can help you locate specific records.
Note: Some probate records may be available online. Check the court website for current services.
Pickens County Newspaper Obituaries
The Pickens Sentinel is the local newspaper for Pickens County. It publishes obituaries for local residents. You can check their website for recent notices. The newspaper serves the Upstate community.
The Pickens County Library has historical newspapers on microfilm. These archives extend back many decades. Contact the library to learn about specific holdings. Staff can help you access these materials.
When searching newspaper obituaries, keep these tips in mind:
- Check multiple days following the death
- Look for funeral announcements before services
- Search for memorial notices weeks later
- Check neighboring county newspapers too
Some families published multiple notices. An initial announcement may include basic facts. A later notice may have more biographical details.
South Carolina State Records for Pickens County
The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains death certificates. Statewide registration began in 1915. Pickens County deaths are included in this system. You can order copies through the DPH office.
Death certificate access follows state law. South Carolina Code Ann. § 44-63-84 sets the rules. Records under 50 years old are restricted. After 50 years, anyone can view them.
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds older records. Death certificates from 1915 to 1973 are available there. The research room is open to the public. You can view uncertified copies at no cost.
Pickens County Library has microfilm of death certificates. This is a valuable local resource. You can view these records at the library. Email requests for copies are accepted.
Online Obituary Databases for Pickens County
Several websites contain Pickens County obituary information. FamilySearch provides free genealogy resources. Their South Carolina Deaths collections include many Pickens County records. You can search from home at no cost.
Ancestry.com offers extensive record collections. The South Carolina Death Records database covers 1821 to 1969. Original certificate images are included. This subscription service provides detailed search capabilities.
Find a Grave is a free cemetery record resource. Many Pickens County cemeteries are documented. Volunteers have photographed tombstones and transcribed information. This can lead you to obituary sources.
Note: Always verify online information with original sources. Transcription errors can occur.
Nearby Counties
Pickens County is in the Upstate region. It borders several other South Carolina counties. It also borders North Carolina. Expand your search to nearby areas if needed.