Charleston County, South Carolina Genealogy

United States  South Carolina  Charleston County

Quick Dates
Charleston County's civil records start the following years:

County Courthouse
Charleston County Courthouse 4050 Bridgeview Drive North Charleston, SC 29405 Phone: 843-740-0801

Charleston County Probate Court 100 Broad St., Suite 381 Charleston, SC 29401-5030 Phone: 843-958-4030

Charleston County Register Mesne Conveyance 101 Meeting St. Charleston, SC 29401-2249 Phone: 843-958-4800

Charleston County Clerk of Court 100 Broad St., Suite 106 Charleston, SC 29401-2258 Phone: 843-958-5000

History
The county is named after King Charles II of England (1630-1685).

Parent County
1769--Charleston County was created in 1769 from Colleton and Berkeley (old) Counties. County seat:  Charleston

Boundary Changes
"Rotating Formation South Carolina County Boundary Maps" (1682-1987) may be viewed for free at the My South Carolina Genealogy website. They rely on AniMap 3.0 software.

Neighboring Counties
Berkeley | Colleton | Dorchester | Georgetown

Research Guides

 * Côté, Richard N. The Genealogists' Guide to Charleston County, S.C. Ladson, S.C.: Coté Genealogical Publications, 1978.
 * South Carolina Archives Summary Guide: Charleston County, available online, courtesy: South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

African American
E. Horace Fitchett The Journal of Negro History, Vol. 25, No. 2 (Apr., 1940), pp. 139-152
 * Cole, Jennifer, comp. Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina Black Deaths 1871-89 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Available at Ancestry ($).
 * The Traditions of the Free Negro in Charleston, South Carolina
 * Heinegg, Paul. "'Other Free' Heads of Household in the 1790 South Carolina Census, by County," Free African Americans.com. [Includes free blacks in St. Bartholomew's Parish, St. George's Parish, St. James Santee Parish, St. John's Parish, St. Phillip's and Michael's Parish, and Charleston District.]
 * Laurens, Henry. A South Carolina Protest Against Slavery: Being a Letter from Henry Laurens, Second President of the Continental Congress, to His Son, Colonel John Laurens; Dated Charleston, S. C., August 14th, 1776. Now Published from the Original. New York: G.P. Putnam, 1861. Digital version at Internet Archive.
 * Morgan, Kenneth. "Slave Sales in Colonial Charleston," The English Historical Review, Vol. 113, No. 453 (Sep. 1998), pp. 905-927. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

For a white perspective on the religious education of slaves in Charleston during the final decades before the Civil War, see:


 * Proceedings of the Meeting in Charleston, S.C., May 13-15, 1845, on the Religious Instruction of the Negroes, Together with The Report of the Committee, and the Address to the Public. Charleston, S.C.: B. Jenkins, 1845. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Thornwell, J.H. The Rights and Duties of Masters. A Sermon Preached at the Dedication of a Church, Erected in Charleston, S.C., For the Benefit and Instruction of the Coloured Population. Charleston, S.C.: Steam-Power Press of Walker &amp; James, 1850. Digital version at Google Books.

Biography

 * [Bentham] Simons, R. Bentham. "A Charleston Forty-Niner," [Life of Charles Mayrant Bentham] The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 57, No. 3 (Jul., 1956), pp. 156-178. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [Egan] Walsh, Walter Richard. "Edmund Egan: Charleston's Rebel Brewer," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 56, No. 4 (Oct., 1955), pp. 200-204. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [Freneau] Leary, Lewis. "Philip Freneau in Charleston," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 42, No. 3 (Jul., 1941), pp. 89-98. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [Manigault] Crouse, Maurice A. "Gabriel Manigault: Charleston Merchant," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 68, No. 4 (Oct., 1967), pp. 220-231. Digital version at JSTOR ($). Republished in Vol. 101, No. 2 (Apr. 2000):98-109. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [Ramsay] Ramsay, David. Memoirs of Martha Laurens Ramsay, Who Died in Charleston, S.C. on the 10th of June, 1811, in the 52d Year of Her Age. With Extracts from Her Diary, Letters, and Other Private Papers, and Also, From Letters Written to Her, By Her Father, Henry Laurens, 1771, 1776. Glasgow: Andrew and John M. Duncan, 1818. Digital version at Internet Archive.
 * [Wells] Gould, Christopher. "Robert Wells, Colonial Charleston Printer," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 79, No. 1 (Jan., 1978), pp. 23-49. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Cemeteries

 * Elzas, Barnett Abraham. The Old Jewish Cemeteries at Charleston, S.C.: A Transcript of the Inscriptions on Their Tombstones, 1762-1903. Charleston, S.C.: Daggett Print., 1903. ; digital versions at Ancestry ($); Family History Archives; Google Books; Internet Archive; and World Vital Records ($).
 * Jervey, Clare. Inscriptions on the Tablets and Gravestones in St. Michael's Church and Churchyard, Charleston, S.C. To which is Added from the Church Records a List of Interments of Persons to Whom There are No Stones. Columbia, S.C.: The State Company, Publishers, 1906. Digital version at Google Books.

Magnolia Cemetery Bethany Cemetery Live Oak Cemetery Carolina Memorial Riverview Cemetery

Census
1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 federal population schedules of Charleston County are available online. For tips on accessing census records online, see South Carolina Census. If you're having trouble finding your ancestors in online indexes, try checking printed indexes. Created by local experts familiar with the area's families, these indexes are often transcribed more accurately than online nationwide indexes.

See South Carolina Population Schedule Indexes: Fiche, Film, or Book for more information about statewide printed indexes.

1790


 * Hagy, James W. People and Professions of Charleston, South Carolina, 1782-1802. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1999. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

1800


 * Hagy, James W. People and Professions of Charleston, South Carolina, 1782-1802. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1999. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

1820 Manufactures

The original manufactures schedules for South Carolina are kept at the NARA, Washington, D.C. FHL copies: 1024517 - 1024518.

Published abstract:


 * National Archives. Indexes to Manufactures Census of 1820. 1920; reprint, Knightstown, Ind.: Bookmark, 1977. 973 X2m 1820; digital version at Lineages. [Includes this county.]

1840 Revolutionary War Pensioners


 * A Census of Pensioners for Revolutionary or Military Services: With their Names, Ages, and Places of Residence, as Returned by the Marshalls of the Several Judicial Districts, Under the Act for Taking the Sixth Census. Washington, D.C.: Blair and Rives, 1841. 973 X2pc 1840;  2321; digital version at U.S. Census Bureau and Google Books et. al. [See South Carolina, City of Charleston on page 142.]

1848


 * Chapman, Anne W. "Inadequacies of the 1848 Charleston Census," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 81, No. 1 (Jan., 1980), pp. 24-34. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Dawson, J.L. and H.W. DeSaussure. Census of the City of Charleston, South Carolina, for the Year 1848, Exhibiting the Condition and Prospects of the City, Illustrated by Many Statistical Details, Prepared Under the Authority of the City Council. Charleston, S.C.: J.B. Nixon, Printer, 1849. Digital version at Google Books. [More of a statistical history rather than a list of names.]

1861


 * Ford, Frederick A. Census of the City of Charleston, South Carolina, for the Year 1861. Illustrated by Statistical Tables. Prepared Under the Authority of the City Council. Charleston, S.C.: Steam-Power Presses of Evans &amp; Cogswell, 1861. Digital version at Google Books.

1890 - Lost, but substitutes are available on Ancestry, see Directories.

Church
The following Charleston church records have been indexed on the International Genealogical Index:

Additional Charleston church records include:

Circular Church


 * South Carolina Historical Society. A Memorial of the Late Rev. William H. Adams, for Twelve Years Pastor of the Circular Church, Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.: Walker, Evans &amp; Cogswell. Digital version at Google Books.

Catholic


 * England, John. Diurnal of the Right Rev. John England, D.D., First Bishop of Charleston, S.C. from 1820 to 1823. Philadelphia, Pa.: American Catholic Historical Society, 1895. Digital version at Google Books.
 * McElrone, Hugh P. The Works of the Right Rev. John England, Bishop of Charleston, S.C., With Memoir, Memorials, Notes and Full Index. 2 vols. New York: P.J. Kenedy, Publishers to the Holy Apostolic See, Excelsior Catholic Publishing House, 1900. Digital versions of Volume 1 and Volume 2 at Google Books.

Church of England (Anglican, Protestant Episcopal)


 * Beesley, Charles Norbury. Beesley's Illustrated Guide to St. Michael's Church, Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.: Presses of Southern Print. &amp; Pub. Co., c1939. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Constitutional Form of Government and By-laws of the Protestant Episcopal Church of Saint Paul's, Radcliffeboro', Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.: Courier Book and Job Presses, 1870. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Elliott, James H. In Memoriam. Tributes to the Memory of the Rev. C.P. Gadsden, Late Rector of St. Luke's Church, Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.: Fogartie's Book Depository, 1872. Digital version at Google Books.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

LDS Ward and Branch Records old LDS church records-film located at Charleston SC FHC and SL FHL


 * Charleston

Huguenot


 * The Liturgy, or Forms of Divine Service, of The French Protestant Church, of Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.: James S. Burges, 1836. Digital version of 1836 edition at Google Books; digital version of 1853 edition at Google Books; digital version of 1869 edition at Google Books.

Jews


 * Breibart, Solomon. "The Synagogues of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, Charleston," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 80, No. 3 (Jul., 1979), pp. 215-235. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Cohen, J. Barrett. Judaism and the Typical Jew. An Address Delivered Before the Jews of Charleston, S.C., on the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Birthday of Sir Moses Montefiore at the Hasel Street Synagogue, October 26th, 1884, by J. Barrett Cohen. Charleston, S.C.: The News and Courier Book Presses, 1884. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Elzas, Barnett A. Jewish Marriage Notices from the Newspaper Press of Charleston, S.C. (1775-1906). New York: Bloch Publishing Company, 1917. ; digital version at Google Books.
 * Elzas, Barnett Abraham. The Old Jewish Cemeteries at Charleston, S.C.: A Transcript of the Inscriptions on Their Tombstones, 1762-1903. Charleston, S.C.: Daggett Print., 1903. ; digital versions at Ancestry ($); Family History Archives; Google Books; Internet Archive; and World Vital Records ($).
 * Elzas, Barnett A. The Reformed Society of Israelites of Charleston, S.C. New York: Bloch Publishing Company, 1916. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Elzas, Barnett A. The Sabbath Service and Miscellaneous Prayers Adopted by the Reformed Society of Israelites Founded in Charleston, S.C. November 21, 1825. Reprint, New York: Bloch Publishing Company, 1916. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Hagy, James W. "The Death Records of Charleston," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 91, No. 1 (Jan., 1990), pp. 32-44. Digital version at JSTOR ($). [Local study on Jewish deaths in Charleston during the nineteenth century.]

Methodist Episcopal


 * Mood, F.A. Methodism in Charleston: A Narrative of the Chief Events Relating to the Rise and Progress of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., With Brief Notices of the Early Ministers Who Labored in that City. Nashville, Tenn.: E. Stevenson &amp; J.E. Evans, 1856. Digital version at Google Books.

Presbyterian


 * Centennial Celebration of the Dedication of the First Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S.C., Organized Seventeen Hundred and Thirty-two: Dedication, December Twenty-ninth, Eighteen Hundred and Fourteen: Celebration, December Twenty-sixth to December Twenty-ninth, Nineteen Hundred and Fourteen. Charleston, S.C.: Walker, Evans &amp; Cogswell Co., 1915. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Smith, Thomas. Manual, for the Use of the Members of the Second Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.: Jenkins &amp; Hussey, 1838. Digital version at Google Books.

Unitarian


 * The Old and the New, or, Discourses and Proceedings at the Dedication of the Re-modelled Unitarian Church in Charleston, S.C., on Sunday, April 2, 1954: Preceded by the Farewell Discourse Delivered in the Old Church, on Sunday, April 4, 1852. Charleston: S.G. Courtenay, 1854. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

Directories

 * [1782, 1785, 1790, 1794, 1796, 1801, 1802] Hagy, James W. People and Professions of Charleston, South Carolina, 1782-1802. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1999. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [1803, 1806, 1807, 1813] Hagy, James W. City Directories for Charleston, South Carolina for the Years 1803, 1806, 1807, 1809, and 1813. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2000. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [1816, 1819, 1822, 1825, 1829] Hagy, James W. Charleston, South Carolina City Directories for the Years 1816, 1819, 1822, 1825, and 1829. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2002. Digital versions at Ancestry ($) and World Vital Records ($).
 * [1830-1841] Hagy, James W. Charleston, South Carolina City Directories for the Years 1830-1841. 1997. Digital version at World Vital Records ($).
 * [1849, 1852, 1855] Hagy, James W. Directories for the City of Charleston, South Carolina for the Years 1849, 1852, and 1855. 1998. Digital version at World Vital Records ($).
 * [1859-1860] Hagy, James W. On the Eve of the Civil War: the Charleston, SC Directories for the Years 1859 and 1860. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2000. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [1888] Charleston City Directory, 1888. Charleston, SC: Southern Directory and Publishing Co., 1888. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [1889] Charleston City Directory, 1889. Charleston, SC: Southern Directory and Publishing Co., 1889. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [1890] Charleston City Directory, 1890. Charleston, SC: Southern Directory and Publishing Co., 1890. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

DNA
DNA has been collected from men claiming descent from the following Charleston County residents. FamilySearch has not independently verified the lineages of those tested.

Family Histories
It is anticipated that this bibliography will eventually identify all known family histories published about residents of this county. Use this list to:


 * Locate publications about direct ancestors
 * Find the most updated accounts of an ancestor's family
 * Identify publications, to quote Elizabeth Shown Mills, about an ancestor's "FAN Club" [Friends, Associates, and Neighbors]

General

As of August 2010, a query for persons born in Charleston, South Carolina at World Connect, results in more than 30,000 entries.

Surname indexes to Leonardo Andrea's Files | Folders | Resources are available online, courtesy: The Andrea Files: South Carolina Genealogical Research. Learn more.


 * Andrea, Leonardo. Charleston Data. Typescript, microfilmed 1974. Item 5
 * Jordan, Laylon Wayne and Elizabeth H. Stringfellow. A Place Called St. John's: The Story of Johns, Edisto, Wadmalaw, Kiawah, and Seabrook Islands of South Carolina. Spartanburg, S.C.: Reprint Co., 1998.
 * South Carolina Genealogical Society. Charleston Chapter. Charleston Chapter, South Carolina Genealogical Society: Surname Index. Charleston, S.C.: South Carolina Genealogical Society. Charleston Chapter, 2008.

Message Boards


 * Charleston County, SC Family History and Genealogy Message Board (Ancestry)
 * Charleston County, SC Genealogy Forum (GenForum)

Bibliography


 * [Axtell] Reed, Paul C. "A Tale of Two Regicides: Daniel Axtell and Cornelius Holland (and Their Son and Daughter, Who Helped Save the Carolinas)," The American Genealogist, Vol. 81, No. 2 (Apr. 2006):81-98; Vol. 81, No. 3 (Jul. 2006):192-198.
 * [Barnwell] "Barnwell of South Carolina," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Jan. 1901):46-88. 975.7 B2s v. 2 (1901); digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [Barton] Barton, W. Baynard and Fannie May Dooley Barton. A Genealogy Study of the Descendants of Anthony Barton: The First American Barton of this Record, an Emigrant from England to America, 1825. Stonega, Va.: W.B. Barton, 1956. Item 9
 * [Barton] Barton, W. Baynard and Fannie May Dooley Barton. Bartons of Charleston, South Carolina and Orangeburg County, South Carolina. Kingsport, Tenn.: Collier's Printing, 1983.
 * [Bessellieu] Johnson, Charles Owen. Bessellieu, Cheche, Frazer and Allied Families of Charleston, South Carolina. 2 vols. Monroe, La.: C.O. Johnson, [1959?].
 * [Cheche] Johnson, Charles Owen. Bessellieu, Cheche, Frazer and Allied Families of Charleston, South Carolina. 2 vols. Monroe, La.: C.O. Johnson, [1959?].
 * [Cleary] The Memorial of Nathaniel Greene Cleary, Sheriff of the District of Charleston, to the Hon. the Members of the Senate and House of Representatives of South-Carolina. Charleston, S.C.: C.C. Sebring, 1825. Digital version at Google Books.
 * [Corcoran] Corcoran, E. Emmons. The John Corcoran Family of Charleston, S.C.; the Samuel Barnes Emmons Family of Lancaster, S.C. Asheville, N.C.: E.E. Corcoran, 1983. 1986 Addendum:
 * [De Veaux] Gibbes, Robert W. A Memoir of James De Veaux, of Charleston, S.C. Columbia, S.C.: J.C. Morgan's Letter Press Print, 1846. Digital version at Google Books.
 * [Dills] Auld, David Walton. The Dills Family of North and South Carolina: From Charleston, South Carolina to Haywood County, North Carolina. [Saratoga, Calif.]: D.W. Auld, 1986.
 * [Fayssoux] Davidson, Chalmers Gaston. Friend of the People: The Life of Dr. Peter Fayssoux of Charleston, South Carolina. Columbia, S.C.: Medical Association of South Carolina, 1950.
 * [Frazer] Johnson, Charles Owen. Bessellieu, Cheche, Frazer and Allied Families of Charleston, South Carolina. 2 vols. Monroe, La.: C.O. Johnson, [1959?].
 * [Inabnit] Lefvendahl, Georgie Inabinet Adams. The Inabnit Family of South Carolina: Volume III. Some of the Inabnit, Inabnet, Inabinett Families of Colleton, Charleston, and Lower Orangeburgh Districts and Counties. [Orangeburg, S.C.: n.p.], 1970.
 * [Johnson] Rumph, Thedoshia Juanita Harvey and Marian Dale Harvey. Family History of Jacob E. Johnson (Birth/Death Dates Unknown) &amp; Elizabeth Johnson Born in 1809 in Virginia, Died 6-2-1895 in Aiken, S.C. Pemberton, N.J.: T.J.H. Rumph, 2001.
 * [Latham] Peck, I. Heyward. The Latham Family, Shipwrights of New York City, Long Island, N.Y. and Charleston, South Carolina. MSS., South Carolina Historical Society, Charleston. Microfilmed 1952. Item 13
 * [Lee] Read, Thomas Carpenter. The Descendants of Thomas Lee of Charleston, South Carolina, 1710-1769: A Genealogical, Biographical Compilation. [Columbia, S.C.: R.L. Bryan], 1964. ; digital version at World Vital Records ($).
 * [Logan] Logan, George William and Lily Logan Morrill. A Record of the Logan Family of Charleston, South Carolina. Sacramento, Calif.: Record Book and Job Printing Office, 1874. 1923 reprint: ; digital version at Google Books.
 * [Middleton] Middleton, Alicia Hopton, Nathaniel Russell Middleton and Annie E. Marston De Wolf. Life in Carolina and New England During the Nineteenth Century: As Illustrated by Reminiscences and Letters of the Middleton Family of Charleston, South Carolina, and of the De Wolf Family of Bristol, Rhode Island. Bristol, R.I.: Private printed, 1929. Item 3; digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [Moise] Moise, Harold. The Moise Family of South Carolina: An Account of the Life and Descendants of Abraham and Sarah Moise Who Settled in Charleston, South Carolina in the Year 1791 A.D. Columbia, S.C.: R.L. Bryan, 1961.
 * [Montgomery] Burrows, Brenda Sue Montgomery and Threlka Jane Montgomery Morrison. The Montgomery Family of Fannin County, Texas from 1773 to 1986: Descendants of Okitbbeha and Holmes Counties Mississippi and Fairfield District, South Carolina. n.p.: B.S.M. Burrows, T.J.M. Morrison, 1986.
 * [Moods] Stubbs, Thomas McAlpin. Family Album, an Account of the Moods of Charleston, South Carolina, and Connected Families. Atlanta, Ga.: Curtiss Printing Co., 1943. ; digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [Parker] Parker, Ellen. Record of the Parker Family of the Parish of St. James, Goose Creek, and of Charleston, South Carolina. MSS., South Carolina Historical Society, Charleston. Microfilmed 1952. Item 22
 * [Petigru] Memorial of the Late James L. Petigru, Proceedings of the Bar of Charleston, S.C., March 25, 1863. Charleston, S.C.: Walker, Evans &amp; Cogswell, Printers, 1880. Digital version at Google Books.
 * [Pringle] Prindle, Paul Wesley. The Pringle Ancestry of Robert Pringle (1702-1776) of Charleston, South Carolina. Microfilmed 1991. Item 26
 * [Pyne] Pyne, Frederick Wallace. The John Pyne Family in America: Being the Comprehensive Genealogical Record of the Descendants of John Pyne, 1766-1813, of Charleston, South Carolina. Baltimore, Md.: Gateway Press, 1992.
 * [Roper] Soady, John William. Memoirs of a Nonagenarian: Some Links with the Charleston of Colonial Days through the Williams-Roper Families. Richmond, Va.: Dietz Press, 1940. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [Stewart] Williams, Kelsey Jackson. "The Scottish Ancestry of Patrick and William Stewart of the Carolinas," The American Genealogist, Vol. 80, No. 1 (Jan. 2005):11-22.
 * [Trezevant] Trezevant, John Timothee. The Trezevant Family in the United States: From the Date of Arrival of Daniel Trezevant, Huguenot, at Charles Town, South Carolina, in 1685, to the Present Date. Columbia, S.C.: State Co., 1914. Item 5; digital version at World Vital Records ($).
 * [Williams] Soady, John William. Memoirs of a Nonagenarian: Some Links with the Charleston of Colonial Days through the Williams-Roper Families. Richmond, Va.: Dietz Press, 1940. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

Historic Residences

 * Simons, Harriet P. and Albert Simons. "The William Burrows House of Charleston," Winterthur Portfolio, Vol. 3, (1967), pp. 172-203. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Smith, Alice R. Huger. The Dwelling Houses of Charleston, South Carolina. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Co., 1917. Digital versions at Ancestry ($) and Google Books.
 * Stoney, Samuel Gaillard. This is Charleston: A Survey of the Architectural Heritage of a Unique American City. Charleston, S.C.: Carolina Art Association for the Charleston Civic Services Committee, 1944. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Young, Rogers W. "Castle Pinckney, Silent Sentinel of Charleston Harbor," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 39, No. 1 (Jan., 1938), pp. 1-14. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Immigration

 * Coldham, Peter Wilson. "Correspondence with the American Colonies 1739-1782," The Genealogist, Vol. 12, No. 1 (Spring 1998):108-128; Vol. 12, No. 2 (Fall 1998):189-205. [Overseas correspondence of residents of Charleston with the following surnames: Bull, Gaiden (?), Izard, and Laurens.] Available at FHL.
 * Coldham, Peter Wilson. "Intercepted Letters Relating to America 1777-1811," The Genealogist, Vol. 14, No. 2 (Fall 2000):184-200; Vol. 15, No. 1 (Spring 2001):53-74. [Overseas correspondence of residents of Charleston with the following surname: Davies and Geyer.] Available at FHL.
 * Holcomb, Brent H. Passenger Arrivals at the Port of Charleston, 1820-1829. 1994. Digital versions at Ancestry ($) and World Vital Records ($).
 * Li, Jian. "A History of the Chinese in Charleston," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 99, No. 1 (Jan., 1998), pp. 34-65. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [http://www.immigrantservants.com/search/advancedResults.php?surname=&givenName=&varientSurnameSpellings=&gender=&dateOfBirthDay=&dateOfBirthMonth=&dateOfBirthQuantifier=&dateOfBirthYear=&placeOfBirthParish=&placeOfBirthTown=&placeOfBirthCity=&placeOfBirthCounty=&placeOfBirthColony=&placeOfBirthNation=&occupations=&religions=&orphan=&familyPosition=&immigrationYearQualifier=&immigrationYear=&portOfDepartureTown=&portOfDepartureCity=&portOfDepartureCounty=&portOfDepartureNation=&placeOfArrivalTown=&placeOfArrivalCounty=&placeOfArrivalColony=&shipName=&convict=&yearOfIndentureQualifier=&yearOfIndenture=&lengthOfIndentureYears=&lengthOfIndentureMonths=&yearOfFreedomQualifier=&yearOfFreedom=&placeOfIndentureTown=&placeOfIndentureCity=&placeOfIndentureCounty=Charleston&placeOfIndentureColony=South+Carolina&agentSurname=&agentGivenName=&agentTitle=&masterSurname=&masterGivenName=&masterTitle=&residenceParish=&residenceTown=&residenceCity=&residenceCounty=&residenceColony=&residenceNation=&landowner=&literate=&spouseSurname=&spouseGivenName=&spouseMarriageDateDay=&spouseMarriageDateMonth=&spouseMarriageDateQualifier=&spouseMarriageDateYear=&spouseMarriageLocationParish=&spouseMarriageLocationCounty=&spouseMarriageLocationColony=&spouseMarriageLocationNation=&deathDateDay=&deathDateMonth=&deathDateQualifier=&deathDateYear=&deathLocality=&deathCounty=&deathColony=&deathState=&testate=&proofServantStatus=&proofConvictStatus=&headright=&preServitudeSources=&postServitudeSources=&comments=&family=&sourceCitations=&interestedResearchers= List of imported servants and transported convicts from Europe] who served labor terms in Colonial Charleston County, South Carolina (work in progress), Courtesy: Immigrant Servants Database.
 * Jones, Patricia K. Across the Ocean of Promise: The Irish of Charleston, South Carolina. Oakwood, Ga.: P.K. Jones, 2006.
 * Ott, Joseph K. "Rhode Islanders in Charleston: Social Notes," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 75, No. 3 (Jul., 1974), pp. 180-183. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Ravenel, Daniel. Liste des François et Suisses: From an Old Manuscript of French and Swiss Protestants Settled in Charleston, on the Santee and at the Orange Quarter in Carolina, Who Desired Naturalization, Prepared Probably about 1695-6. 1822; reprint, New York: Knickerbocker Press, 1888. ; digital version at World Vital Records ($).
 * Scott, Kenneth. British Aliens in the United States During the War of 1812. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979. ; digital version at Ancestry ($). [Identifies many British immigrants living in Charleston during the War of 1812.]

Land
Plats For State Land Grants 1784-1868

This series consists of recorded copies of plats for state land grants for the Charleston and the Columbia Series with their certificates of admeasurement or certification. All personal names and geographic features on these plats are included in the repository's On-line Index to Plats for State Land Grants

The South Carolina Constitution of 1790 required the surveyor general to maintain offices in both the new capital at Columbia and in Charleston. The surveyor general began to use separate volumes for recording plats in his Columbia office in 1796. Before that, all plats were recorded in the set of volumes begun in Charleston in 1784. After 1796, most plats for land grants in the Upper Division of the state were recorded and filed in Columbia. The surveyor general chose to make the Columbia volumes a continuation of the state plat volumes begun in Charleston and gave the initial Columbia volume the number thirty-six to correspond with the number of the volume that had then been reached in the Charleston series. As a result, there are volumes numbered thirty-six through forty-three from each office, but the records in them are not duplicative.

Also included are the Plan Books containing Plats and Plans.


 * Smith, Henry A.M. "Charleston: The Original Plan and the Earliest Settlers," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 1 (Jan., 1908), pp. 12-27. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Smith, Henry A.M. "Charleston and Charleston Neck: The Original Grantees and the Settlements along the Ashley and Cooper Rivers," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 19, No. 1 (Jan., 1918), pp. 3-76. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Local Histories

 * Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company. Short Sketch of Charleston, S.C., How It Fared in Two Wars and an Earthquake. 3rd ed. 1900. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Cardozo, Jacob N. Reminiscences of Charleston. Charleston S.C.: J. Walker, Stationer and Printer, 1866. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Charleston Chamber of Commerce. Historic and Picturesque Charleston South Carolina. 1904. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Duffy, John. "Yellow Fever in Colonial Charleston," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 52, No. 4 (Oct., 1951), pp. 189-197. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Jackson, Melvin H.. Privateers in Charleston, 1793-1796. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1969. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Lesesne, Thomas Petigru. Landmarks of Charleston: Including Description of an Incomparable Stroll. Richmond Va.: Garrett &amp; Massie, 1932. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Mazyck, Arthur. Guide to Charleston Illustrated, Being a Sketch of the History of Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.: Walker, Evans &amp; Cogswell, 1875. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Prentiss, James Clayton. The Charleston City Guide: Containing a Full and Accurate Description of All Places of Interest in and Around the City, and Other Useful Matter. Charleston, S.C.: J.W. DeLano, Office of the Sunday Times, c1872. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Ravenel, Harriott Horry. Charleston: The Place and the People. New York: Macmillan Co., 1912, c1906. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Scott, Kenneth. "Sufferers in the Charleston Fire of 1740," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 64, No. 4 (Oct., 1963), pp. 203-211. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Simons, Katherine Drayton. Stories of Charleston Harbor. Columbia, S.C.: State Co., 1930. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Verner, Elizabeth O'Neill. Mellowed by Time: A Charleston Notebook. Columbia, S.C.: Bostick &amp; Thornley, 1941. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Yearbook 1910: City of Charleston, So. Ca. Charleston, S.C.: The Daggett Printing Company, 1910. Digital version at Google Books.

Maps

 * Williams, George W. "Two Maps of Charleston in the Revolution," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 76, No. 2 (Apr., 1975), pp. 49-50. Digital version at JSTOR ($). [Article includes map descriptions, but does not reproduce the maps themselves.]

Revolutionary War

 * Andreano, Ralph Louis and Herbert D. Werner, "Charleston Loyalists: A Statistical Note," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 60, No. 3 (Jul., 1959), pp. 164-168. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Barnwell, Joseph W. "The Evacuation of Charleston by the British in 1782," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 11, No. 1 (Jan., 1910), pp. 1-26. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Hough, F.B. The Siege of Charleston: By the British Fleet and Army Under the Command of Admiral Arbuthnot and Sir Henry Clinton, which Terminated with the Surrender of that Place on the 12th of May, 1780. Albany: J. Munsell, 1867. Digital versions at Ancestry ($); Internet Archive; World Vital Records ($); another World Vital Records ($) version.
 * Kennett, Lee. "Charleston in 1778: A French Intelligence Report," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 66, No. 2 (Apr., 1965), pp. 109-111. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Oration, Delivered Before the '76 Association, and Society of the Cincinnati, at Hibernian Hall, Charleston, S.C. on the 5th of July, 1858 by Charles E.B. Flagg, of the Cincinnati. Charleston, S.C.: A.J. Burke, 1858. Digital version at Google Books.
 * Stoesen, Alexander R. "The British Occupation of Charleston, 1780-1782," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 63, No. 2 (Apr., 1962), pp. 71-82. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Civil War

 * Harris, W.A. The Record of Fort Sumter, from Its Occupation by Major Anderson, To Its Reduction by South Carolina Troops During the Administration of Governor Pickens. Columbia, S.C.: South Carolinian Steam Job Printing Office, 1862. Digital version at Google Books.
 * "Our Women in the War," The Lives They Lived; the Deaths They Died, from The Weekly News and Courier, Charleston, S.C. Charleston, S.C.: The News and Courier Book Presses, 1885. Digital version at Google Books.

Naturalization

 * Hemperley, Marion R. "Federal Naturalization Oaths Charleston, South Carolina 1790-1860," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 66, No. 2 (Apr., 1965), pp. 112-124; Vol. 66, No. 3 (Jul., 1965), pp. 183-192; Vol. 66, No. 4 (Oct., 1965), pp. 218-228. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Newspapers
Eighteenth-century South Carolina newspapers contain a wealth of information about residents. The Early South Carolina Newspapers Database (ESCN Database) has created an every-name index to the three largest newspapers for the years 1732 to 1780. Using their free online Surname Database, researchers may order a list of specific newspaper references from the organization for a very reasonable rate.


 * Charleston County Post and Courier Newspaper Index
 * Hagy, James W. and Bertrand Van Ruymbeke. "The French Refugee Newspapers of Charleston," [1790s-1810s] The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 97, No. 2 (Apr., 1996), pp. 139-148. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * King, William L. The Newspaper Press of Charleston, S.C.: A Chronological and Biographical History, Embracing a Period of One Hundred and Forty Years. Charleston, S.C.: E. Perry, 1872. Digital versions at Ancestry ($) and Google Books.

Occupations
See also Directories.


 * Hagy, James W. People and Professions of Charleston, South Carolina, 1782-1802. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1999. Digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * Radford, John. "The Charleston Planters in 1860," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 77, No. 4 (Oct. 1976):227-235. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Orphanages

 * Jones, Newton B. "The Charleston Orphan House, 1860-1876," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 62, No. 4 (Oct., 1961), pp. 203-214. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * Wates, Wylma Anne. "Charleston Orphans, 1790-1795," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 78, No. 4 (Oct., 1977), pp. 321-339. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Poor

 * Klebaner, Benjamin Joseph. "Public Poor Relief in Charleston, 1800-1860," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 55, No. 4 (Oct., 1954), pp. 210-220. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Private Papers

 * Coldham, Peter Wilson. "Correspondence with the American Colonies 1739-1782," The Genealogist, Vol. 12, No. 1 (Spring 1998):108-128; Vol. 12, No. 2 (Fall 1998):189-205. [Overseas correspondence of residents of Charleston with the following surnames: Bull, Gaiden (?), Izard, and Laurens.] Available at FHL.
 * Coldham, Peter Wilson. "Intercepted Letters Relating to America 1777-1811," The Genealogist, Vol. 14, No. 2 (Fall 2000):184-200; Vol. 15, No. 1 (Spring 2001):53-74. [Overseas correspondence of residents of Charleston with the following surname: Davies and Geyer.] Available at FHL.

Probate
Index to Wills of Charleston County, South Carolina, 1671-1868. Charleston, S.C.: n.p., 1950. ; digital versions at Ancestry ($) and World Vital Records ($).


 * Charleston, SC Estate Inventories, 1732-1872 and Bills of Sale, 1773-1872 (Restore the Ancestors Indexing Project: SC Estate Inventories), available online (in progress), courtesy: Footnote.
 * Coldham, Peter Wilson. North American Wills Registered in London 1611-1857. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 2007. [Includes wills of residents of St. Andrew's Parish, St. Bartholomew's Parish, St. Philip's Parish, Wappoo Creek, Charleston, and Charleston County proved in London, see place-name index. These records often help establish an immigrant's place of origin.]

Birth

 * [1877-1901] Ancestry.com. South Carolina Delayed Births, 1766-1900 and City of Charleston, South Carolina Births, 1877-1901 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Original data: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina. Digital version at Ancestry ($).

Marriage

 * [1806] "Marriage and Death Notices From Charleston Courier for 1806," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 29, No. 3 (Jul., 1928), pp. 258-263; Vol. 30, No. 1 (Jan. 1929):60-68; Vol. 30, No. 2 (Apr. 1929):117-124; Vol. 30, No. 3 (Jul. 1929):185-191. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [1807] Hagy, James W. and Bertrand Van Ruymbeke. "The French Refugee Newspapers of Charleston," [1790s-1810s] The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 97, No. 2 (Apr., 1996), pp. 139-148. Digital version at JSTOR ($). [The authors abstracted marriage notices from these newspapers.]
 * [1827-1845] Holcomb, Brent. Marriage and Death Notices from the Charleston Observer 1827-1845. Greenville, SC, USA: A Press, 1980. ; digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [1828] Griffin, Inez H. "Marriages and Death Notices from the Charleston Gazette, 1828," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 75, No. 3 (Jul., 1974), pp. 184-186. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [1877-1887] Ancestry.com. Charleston, South Carolina, Marriage Records, 1877-1887 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. Available at Ancestry ($). [Original data: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina.]

Death

 * [1806] "Marriage and Death Notices From Charleston Courier for 1806," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. 29, No. 3 (Jul., 1928), pp. 258-263; Vol. 30, No. 1 (Jan. 1929):60-68; Vol. 30, No. 2 (Apr. 1929):117-124; Vol. 30, No. 3 (Jul. 1929):185-191. Digital version at JSTOR ($).
 * [1807] Hagy, James W. and Bertrand Van Ruymbeke. "The French Refugee Newspapers of Charleston," [1790s-1810s] The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 97, No. 2 (Apr., 1996), pp. 139-148. Digital version at JSTOR ($). [The authors abstracted death notices from these newspapers.]
 * [1821-1914] South Carolina Death Records, 1821-1955, available online, courtesy: Ancestry.com ($). [Includes Charleston City death records, 1821-1914.]
 * [1827-1845] Holcomb, Brent. Marriage and Death Notices from the Charleston Observer 1827-1845. Greenville, SC, USA: A Press, 1980. ; digital version at Ancestry ($).
 * [1828] Griffin, Inez H. "Marriages and Death Notices from the Charleston Gazette, 1828," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 75, No. 3 (Jul., 1974), pp. 184-186. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Prof. Hagy made an informative study of Charleston's early death records, published as:


 * Hagy, James W. "The Death Records of Charleston," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. 91, No. 1 (Jan., 1990), pp. 32-44. Digital version at JSTOR ($).

Societies and Libraries

 * South Carolina Historical Society

The Society is located at 100 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC. Normal library hours are Mon-Fri, 9-4; Sat, 9-2; closed Sundays &amp; holidays. Members may use the library free of charge. There is a $5.00 daily fee for non-members.

The Society offers three types of research services for fee: (1) straightforward photocopy requests; (2) requests on historical matters related to South Carolina; and (3) inquiries related to genealogical research. Request forms and corresponding fees are on the Society's website (under Photocopy and Research Services). Keep in mind that the search is restricted to the holdings of the Society only and may not uncover the information sought. If an individual did not spend a significant amount of time in South Carolina, the Society may not have information pertaining to him or her. The average search takes six to eight weeks.

The Society is a repository for private papers and manuscripts pertaining to the state of South Carolina, with large amounts of materials on families of the Midlands and the Lowcountry. It does not have the censuses of South Carolina in its holdings and only abstracts from newspapers. An on-line library catalog is available (under Search the SCHS Catalog).


 * Charleston County Public Library

Charleston County's main library is the home of the Charleston Archive and the South Carolina Room. The SC Room houses local history and genealogy materials and resources, focusing on the history and genealogy of SC, with special emphasis on Charleston and the Lowcountry. Staff is available for assistance during normal hours of operation. The main library is located at 68 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC. Normal library hours are Mon-Thu, 9-9; Fri-Sat, 9-6; Sun, 2-5; closed holidays. Use of library is free of charge.

The SC Room offers limited research services. Written requests by mail, e-mail, or fax, are preferred, rather than by telephone. Surname searches are too broad for the staff to do. The staff will check up to a maximum of three names in either the Charleston County Will Books (1671-1868) or the Charleston Death Card File (1819-1926), when the patron has specified those as the sources to be checked. They will check up to a maximum of three names per request for obituaries. Obituary requests must have a date of death; newspaper will be checked for up to seven days following the date of death for an obituary. Requests are limited to two requests per patron per month.

The Charleston Archive collection includes historic manuscripts, books and visual materials representing Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry. Much of it is available on microfilm in the South Carolina Room. Access to the original materials is by appointment only.

Web Sites

 * USGenWeb project. May have maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county. Select the state, then the county.
 * Family History Library Catalog
 * CharlestonCounty, South Carolina Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)