We received many helpful replied to our query on Genealogy Resources in Edgefield. Thanks to all who replied. I thought the replies were being posted on the list, but I have come to believe this may not have been so, as I received a couple of requests to share the info. The purpose of this message is to share info. I did not solicit permission to post the names and email address of the folks who replied to me, so I will not post the complete reply. Instead, I will extract the most pertinent information and share it with the list. So here goes � �Edgefield was broken down into 5 different counties. First thing to do is find out what county has the records you are looking for. I found this out the hard way. After I got home.� �� my favorite places to do Edgefield research are the Tompkins Library, the Probate Archives in Edgefield and the SC State Archives in Columbia. If you are interested in the part of old Edgefield Dist. that is now Saluda County, then you may want to check out the Historical Society in Saluda. � �� by all means visit the Saluda County Historical Society - in Downtown Saluda. They are not large - but they have a fairly good selection of Family histories.� �Start at the Tompkins Library. � They have one of the best collections on the family histories of Edgefield and much more than even the State Archives! � the real treasures are located in the Probate Office just left of the City Hall. � Out side of the vault is only one new microfiche reader and printer. This means if you are lucky you get access to it. If you can take a digital camera with you then you can get access in the vault. � the Public Library in Saluda has a section out back of microfilmed old newspapers well worthy of checking.� �The Tompkins Library is the repository of the holdings of the Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society (OEDGS) 604 members strong nationwide. The Public Library does not contain any genealogical information. Oakley Park is exactly what it says, a museum, that is open on Thursday, Friday and Sat. At OEDGS you will find microfilm of deeds, equity records, probate records, census records, newspapers of the area from early 1839 forward, over 1200 surname files, over 5,000 books of history, family histories, books of information on counties in SC and Confederate and Revolutionary War information of Edgefield. If you call Tonya (our Director) at 803-637-4010, or email her at [email protected] she can let you know what is available for the surnames you are interested in.� �The best place to stay in Edgefield is the Edgefield Inn. (if you don't have family to stay with). Let them know you will be at the Tompkins library and they give a discount. They have a website so you can see what they have. It is only about a mile and a half from the library which is on the square. � Then I received two differing opinions about the utility of the State Archives, as follows: �The best place to get information is at the SC State Archives in Columbia. All of the old county records have been moved there. Some of the Archives information are available online. Use SC State Archives Browser as Keyword.� �After spending a defeated day at the Columbia Archives, I welcomed the information that I got from the small antiquated libraries. Be sure you allow enough time to spend reading and searching for your ancestors. I can say that most of the County Courthouses in S. Carolina have sent their early records to the Archives in Columbia, but the libraries have all sorts of stuff. � Thanks again to all who replied. Pat & Dick Folkerth Dallas, Texas