South Carolina Genealogy & LDS Family History Centers

The southern state of South Carolina is a lovely place filled with pristine beaches and breathtaking plantation. It is also home to many who have been bitten by the genealogy bug and are on a mission to trace their family roots back as far as they possibly can. To assist them in their search, South Carolina family history centers offer a wealth of research materials to help individuals trace back their family lines for generations. The centers are owned and operated by members of the South Carolina LDS church and are free to the general public. Office hours vary so call before visiting to ensure the center near you is open.

Aiken SC Family History Center
358 E Pine Log Rd
Aiken, South Carolina 29063
(803) 648-0726

Beaufort SC Family History Center
703 Parris Island Pkwy
Beaufort, South Carolina 29902
(803) 252-1823

Charleston SC Family History Center
1519 Sam Rittenburg Blvd
Charleston, South Carolina 29407
(803) 766-6017

South Carolina Family History Center
4440 Ft Jackson Blvd
Columbia, South Carolina 29209
(803) 782-7141

Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
1301 Boiling Springs
Greer, South Carolina 29615
(864) 627-0553

Orangeburg SC Family History Center
2740 Broughton St
Orangeburg, South Carolina 29118
(803) 531-5531

South Carolina Genealogy Resources

Research in South Carolina can be very exciting and yet challenging. The challenges include a vital records system that didn't start until the 1900s, major losses of antebellum (e.g. pre-Civil War) records, a complex court system and more, though you will find excellent colonial land and Revolutionary War records, to name a few places where exciting ancestral finds can be made.

Some great South Carolina specific genealogy resources that you definitely want to check out are:

1. Understanding the history of South Carolina, its jurisdictions and the severe loss of records is paramount to successful genealogy research. Check out GeLee Corley Hendrix, Research in South Carolina, Research in the States Series, NGS Special Publication No. 66 (Arlington, Va.; National Genealogical Society, 1992).

2. The Reference Room of the South Carolina Department of Archives & History can be a great place to visit and do check out the on-line records index which currently includes plats, wills, confederate records and more. For death records, check out the SC DHEC collection of death indexes for 1915-1960.

3. Many obituaries, and not just for South Carolinians, were published in the Southern Christian Advocate and the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate - these are accessible via Wofford's South Carolina United Methodist Collection, though do check out the other unique collections held.

4. South Caroliniana Library has the largest collection of published works and manuscripts regarding South Carolina and for a great overview of Genealogy research resources check out South Carolina's Information Highway (SCIWAY).


South Carolina Record Collections

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