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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Big Creek (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Big Creek. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Name Variations for Big Creek ...

When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.

Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might have occurred.

Another variation: Bigcreek.

  • A typical abbreviation for Big Creek: Big Crk. (or less commonly used: Big Ck. or Big Cr.)

If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.

Neighboring Counties ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the southwest corner of their home county. During their lives, most doctors and hospitals were in the next county to the west. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the south.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the west contained birth and death records; the county to the south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Big Creek is located in Saluda County.

To see how the shape of South Carolina's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Saluda County: Aiken, Edgefield, Greenwood, Lexington & Newberry.

Below are the counties that are near Big Creek. For each of these counties, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Big Creek:

  • Saluda County     (The home county of Big Creek)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.
    • Hickory Grove
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hickory Grove
      • Hickory Grove is located in Saluda County
    • Saluda
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Ward
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the southeast)
    • Ridge Spring
      (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
  • Abbeville County
    • Cana ‑ Historic
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cana have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cana
      • Cana is located in Abbeville County
  • Aiken County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.
    • Monetta
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Eureka
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Eureka. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Eureka
      • Eureka is located in Aiken County
  • Edgefield County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.
    • Johnston
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Edgefield
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the south)
    • Trenton
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the south)
    • Colliers
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Colliers
      • Colliers is located in Edgefield County
  • Greenwood County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.
    • Ninety Six
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
    • Springdale
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Springdale
      • Springdale is located in Greenwood County
    • Fairforest
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fairforest
      • Fairforest is located in Greenwood County
    • Mathews Village
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Mathews Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mathews Village
      • Mathews Village is located in Greenwood County
    • Panola Village
      (18 miles [29 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Panola Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Panola Village
      • Panola Village is located in Greenwood County
    • Coronaca
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Coronaca have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Coronaca
      • Coronaca is located in Greenwood County
    • Grendel Village
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Grendel Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grendel Village
      • Grendel Village is located in Greenwood County
    • Greenwood Village
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Greenwood Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Greenwood Village
      • Greenwood Village is located in Greenwood County
    • Greenwood
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northwest)
    • Bradley
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
    • Promised Land
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Promised Land have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Promised Land
      • Promised Land is located in Greenwood County
    • Verdery
      (23 miles [37 km] to the west)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Verdery. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Verdery
      • Verdery is located in Greenwood County
    • Cokesbury
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Cokesbury have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cokesbury
      • Cokesbury is located in Greenwood County
  • Laurens County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.
    • Anglers Haven
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Anglers Haven
      • Anglers Haven is located in Laurens County
    • Cross Hill
      (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
    • Mountville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the north)
    • Kinards
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the north)
    • Collins Lakeside Village
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Collins Lakeside Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Collins Lakeside Village
      • Collins Lakeside Village is located in Laurens County
    • Waterloo
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
    • Joanna
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
    • Lisbon ‑ Historic
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Lisbon. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lisbon
      • Lisbon is located in Laurens County
    • Dover ‑ Historic
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dover have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dover
      • Dover is located in Laurens County
    • Cold Point
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cold Point
      • Cold Point is located in Laurens County
    • Clinton
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
    • Renno
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Renno
      • Renno is located in Laurens County
    • Mount Gallagher
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Mount Gallagher. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mount Gallagher
      • Mount Gallagher is located in Laurens County
  • Lexington County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.
    • Batesburg - Leesville
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Batesburg - Leesville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Batesburg - Leesville
      • Batesburg - Leesville is located in Lexington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 5,402 people
    • Batesburg
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Leesville
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southeast)
    • Lake Village
      (23 miles [37 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lake Village have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lake Village
      • Lake Village is located in Lexington County
    • Ella
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Ella. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ella
      • Ella is located in Lexington County
    • Fredonia
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Fredonia. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fredonia
      • Fredonia is located in Lexington County
    • Clubhouse Crossroads
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Clubhouse Crossroads
      • Clubhouse Crossroads is located in Lexington County
    • Summit
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Summit have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Summit
      • Summit is located in Lexington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 486 people
    • Gilbert
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the east)
    • Chapin
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Chapin
      • Chapin is located in Lexington County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,664 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Chapin <1>
  • McCormick County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.
    • Liberty Hill
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Liberty Hill
      • Liberty Hill is located in McCormick County
    • McCormick
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Plum Branch
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Parksville
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the southwest)
    • Modoc
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the southwest)
  • Newberry County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.
    • Chappells
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
    • Old Town Ferry
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Old Town Ferry have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Town Ferry
      • Old Town Ferry is located in Newberry County
    • Silverstreet
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
    • Mudlick
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the north)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Mudlick. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mudlick
      • Mudlick is located in Newberry County
    • Smyrna
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Helena
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Helena. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helena
      • Helena is located in Newberry County
    • Newberry
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Prosperity
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Union
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Union
      • Union is located in Newberry County
    • Slighs
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Slighs
      • Slighs is located in Newberry County
    • Little Mountain
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the east)
    • Sondleys ‑ Historic
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Sondleys have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Sondleys
      • Sondleys is located in Newberry County
    • Pomaria
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Big Creek, see our County-by-County Page for Big Creek.

Cemeteries Near Big Creek ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Big Creek.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Big Creek covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.

  • Trinity Lutheran Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the south)
  • Chestnut Hill Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Chestnut Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Chestnut Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Gassaway Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gassaway Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gassaway Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Hill Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Gassaway Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gassaway Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gassaway Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Friendship Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Friendship Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Friendship Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Travis Park Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Travis Park Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Travis Park Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Butler Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Butler Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Butler Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Pine Pleasant Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Pine Pleasant Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Pine Pleasant Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Bozeman - Scurry Graveyard
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bozeman - Scurry Graveyard
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bozeman - Scurry Graveyard have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Mitchell Hill Cemetery
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mitchell Hill Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mitchell Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Emory Cemetery
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Emory Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Emory Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (285 more) ...
    • Smith Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Smith Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Smith Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Bethany Cemetery
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Bethany Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Bethany Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Dorn Cemetery
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Dorn Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Dorn Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<5>

While we didn't find Big Creek in the Atlas, the following 1895 communities would have been found near the current location of Big Creek.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Big Creek, with the one closest to Big Creek listed first.

  • Chappells
    (7 miles [11.3 km] to the north)
  • Meeting Street
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Meeting Street have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Meeting Street
    • Meeting Street is located in Edgefield County
  • Vaughanville
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vaughanville have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vaughanville
    • Vaughanville is located in Newberry County
  • Silverstreet
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
  • Ninety Six
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northwest)
  • Pleasant Lane
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pleasant Lane have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pleasant Lane
    • Pleasant Lane is located in Edgefield County
  • Johnston
    (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
  • Ridge Spring
    (18 miles [29 km] to the southeast)
  • Cross Hill
    (18 miles [29 km] to the northwest)
  • Helena
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Helena. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<3>
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helena
    • Helena is located in Newberry County
  • Milton
    (19 miles [30.6 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Milton have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Milton
    • Milton is located in Laurens County
  • Monetta
    (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
  • Continue List   (15 more) ...
    • Batesburg
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
    • Prosperity
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Gary
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gary have been provided by the GNIS.<2> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gary
      • Gary is located in Newberry County

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Big Creek. See our List of 1890's Communities around Big Creek.

Newspapers Published in Big Creek ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 65 newspapers that have been published in the area around Big Creek.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Big Creek, there are papers which were published within 21 miles [33.8 km]<6>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Big Creek.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we first turn to the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These websites either offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Big Creek:

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Big Creek. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for Saluda County: www.saludacounty.sc.gov/

The official website for State of South Carolina: https://sc.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<2>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<3>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<4>The Find-a-Grave website is an excellent research tool with information about a cemetery's location and interments. They also offer a forum for their members which can provide additional help. More information about Find-a-Grave can be found on their website: findagrave.com.
<5>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Big Creek, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.
<6>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Big Creek) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Big Creek. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 34.0660, Longitude: -81.8484       In this case, the coordinates for Big Creek have been provided by the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS).




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 22 Apr 2025