South Carolina Research Tips and Strategies

South Carolina Research Strategies
Below are links to different research strategy pages to help you locate your ancestors in South Carolina


 * South Carolina Online Genealogy Records
 * How to find South Carolina Birth Records
 * How to find South Carolina Marriage Records
 * How to find South Carolina Death Records

South Carolina Research Tips
These tips will help you as you research your ancestors in South Carolina.


 * Birth information: Statewide registration of births began in 1915 in South Carolina. The best substitute record for locating birth information is death records (the majority of death records will list the date of birth of the decedent, and since death certificates are considered a primary resource, they can provide you with the same documentation as a birth certificate). Or, try these other substitute records.
 * Finding Parents: Statewide registration of deaths began in 1915 in South Carolina. They often will list the parents of the deceased and their birth information. Search South Carolina death records
 * Look in all censuses: Always look for your ancestor in every possible census. There are clues regarding immigration, naturalization, and occupation that can lead to other records. Sometimes parents can be found living with their children later in life. Search U.S. Censuses.

South Carolina Record Finder
This Record Finder is designed to help you determine the best record to search for the type of information you are looking for. It is most helpful for post-1850 research.

Further South Carolina Research
For more research on South Carolina, including research at the county level, visit the South Carolina page on the Research Wiki.

Search all of the South Carolina record collections at FamilySearch.