South Carolina, Delayed Birth Certificates - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection includes images of delayed birth certificates from 1766-1900, acquired from the South Carolina State Archives in Columbia, South Carolina. Some records are difficult to read due to fading and discoloration. Records are arranged in numerical order.

Record Content
Birth records may contain the following information:


 * Birth date and place
 * Name at birth
 * Parents’ names
 * Parents’ residence
 * Gender
 * Titles of parents
 * Certificate and page number
 * Film number

How to Use the Record
To begin your search it is helpful to know:


 * Your ancestor’s name.
 * Other identifying information such as residence, birthdate, names of other family members and family relationships.

Search the Collection
To search the collection by name: Fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to look at the information on several individuals comparing the information about them to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names, or variations of their name, throughout their life.
 * Even though these indexes are very accurate they may still contain inaccuracies, such as altered spellings, misinterpretations, and optical character recognition errors if the information was scanned.

For tips about searching on-line collections see the on-line article FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.

To browse by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the "Number and Name Range" category which takes you to the images.

Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:


 * Use birth information to find family in census and church records.
 * Use the county and the certificate number to obtain a copy of the original birth certificate from the county.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Continue to search the index and records to identify siblings and other relatives who may have been born in the same area.
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * Search the records of nearby localities (or military units, counties, parishes, etc.).

Related Websites

 * South Carolina GenWeb Project
 * South Carolina USGen Web Archives
 * South Carolina Vital Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * South Carolina Genealogy
 * How to Find South Carolina Birth Records
 * South Carolina Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)
 * South Carolina Vital Records

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):

Image Citation: