Step-by-Step South Carolina Research, 1880-Present

South Carolina Step-by-step research 1880--present

Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :
 * Fifty Questions for Family History Interviews What to Ask the Relatives
 * Genealogy: 150 questions to ask family members about their lives
 * Creating Oral Histories

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.
A census is a count and description of the population of a country, state, county, or city for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day. For each person living in a household you might find (depending on the year) their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military.

Using the clues to lead to census record searches.
This marriage certificate, found in old home papers, gives clues as to when and where to search in census records for the Funderburk family. Olivia E. Funderburk was 22 years old in 1929, therefore born in about 1907.
 * The first goal is to find Henry Rushing and Olivia Funderburk in the 1930 census of South Carolina, following up in the 1940 and 1950 censuses to find their children.
 * '''the second goal is search for Olivia Funderbunk in 1920 listed in her parents' home.

'''Although we find Henry and Olivia in North Carolina, they are in the home of her mother Sallie Funderburk, and Olivia and her sister, Inez, are reported to be born in South Carolina. This census is unusual because Henry and Olivia are married, but she is listed with her maiden name,''' '''In 1920, Sallie Funderburk and her children are found in South Carolina. Olivia's name is pronounced Arleva, and written so. We can then follow Sallie and her family back through the 1910 census and to the 1900 census. In 1900, her husband, General Funderburk is still alive. He was born in 1872 in South Carolina. Combining the information from all three census records, we identify 10 children for this couple.''' '''Here, in the 1880 census, we find General Funderburk in the home of his parents, Herod and Eliza/Lisa Funderburk. We then work forward in time, following this family in every census where they appear. Combining the information from 1880 to 1920, we are able to identify twelve children for this family.'''



South Carolina State Censuses

 * 1790-1890: South Carolina Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index at Ancestry; index only ($)
 * 1829-1920: at FamilySearch; index & images

- For more information, see South Carolina Census and United States Census.

Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
 * In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations.
 * A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
 * A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using the census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents. Example of a birth record.

Using the census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
Finding marriage records can:
 * establish the full identity of the wife, with her maiden name and possible birth details.
 * find the names of the parents of the bride and groom.

Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death: Example of a death certificate. Some of the examples shown above are index entries. That means for each of them an actual, original, full certificate exists. It is highly advisable to order the original certificate. It will contain many details not given in the index. In some cases, the image of the original is found online. Instructions are given below on obtaining the original certificate in other cases. -
 * birth date and place of the deceased
 * maiden name of the wife
 * names of the deceased's parents
 * birth places of the deceased's parents.

How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online databases
 * writing to a county courthouse (prior to state civil registration beginning in 1867)
 * purchasing them through the mail

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: South Carolina Counties.

Order Certificates from South Carolina Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for South Carolina Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in South Carolina, see How to Find South Carolina Birth Records, How to Find South Carolina Marriage Records, and How to Find South Carolina Death Records.

Obituaries

 * Online South Carolina Death Indexes, Records &amp; Obituaries, index
 * ObitsArchive.com - South Carolina ($)
 * ObituariesHelp.org
 * South Carolina Obituaries
 * — index and images

Cemeteries

 * Online South Carolina Death Indexes, Records &amp; Obituaries, index
 * South Carolina Cemetery Records at Interment.net
 * Findagrave.com South Carolina Cemetery Records
 * Billiongraves.com South Carolina Cemeteries
 * USGenWeb South Carolina Tombstone Transcription Project
 * I Dream of Genealogy South Carolina
 * South Carolina Cemetery Records
 * South Carolina Cemetery Records

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at
 * Also at Ancestry.com, ($), index.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.
 * The Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off, by providing information filed in the application or claims process.


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see South Carolina Obituaries and South Carolina Cemeteries.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and World War II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card.



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
-
 * , index and images.
 * , index and images.

Step 6: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



FamilySearch

 * 1681-1935 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; incomplete index
 * 1709-1913 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; incomplete index
 * 1816-1990 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Ancestry.com

 * 1641-1965 South Carolina, Compiled Marriage Index, 1641-1965, index, incomplete, ($)
 * 1688-1799 South Carolina Marriages, 1688-1799 Abstracts($)
 * 1688-1820 Supplement to South Carolina Marriages, 1688-1820 ($)
 * 1800-1820 South Carolina Marriages, 1800-1820, index, incomplete, ($)

Baptist

 * 1750-1899 U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899 at Ancestry - index & images ($)
 * 1866-1887 South Carolina Baptist Deaths and Marriages, 1866-87 ($)

Quakers (Society of Friends)

 * 1631-1935 U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, index and images, incomplete, ($)
 * 1750-1815 Early Quaker records of South Carolina, 1750-1815, images.
 * Quaker families of South Carolina & Georgia William F. Medlin. E-book.

South Carolina Digital Library

 * Search results for Keywords "Church Records
 * Search Engine
 * Browse all collections '''

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 * For help with church records kept in South Carolina, see South Carolina Church Records.
 * To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.

 * County probate records include '''probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
 * In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
 * Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.



Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search: South Carolina
 * South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980, ($), index and images, incomplete.
 * Index and images.
 * Index and images.
 * South Carolina wills and other court records, e-book
 * Indexes to the County Wills of South Carolina, ($), index
 * A genealogical collection of South Carolina wills and records. v.1, e-book

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each South Carolina county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: South Carolina Counties

For more information, see South Carolina Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.



South Carolina Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records
 * — index and images
 * A Compilation of the Original Lists of Protestant Immigrants to South Carolina 1763-1773, ($), index/images
 * The Original Lists of Persons of Quality: Emigrants; Religious Exiles; Political Rebels; Serving Men Sold for a Term of Years; Apprentices; Children Stolen; Maidens Pressed; and Others Who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations, 1600-1700.... e-book
 * Scotch-Irish Migration to South Carolina, 1772 Rev. William Martin and His Five Shiploads of Settlers, ($)
 * Passenger Arrivals at the Port of Charleston, 1820-1829, ($)
 * South Carolina, Passenger Lists, 1906-1962, index & images ($)

South Carolina Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records
 * South Carolina, Naturalization Records, 1868-1991 ($)
 * South Carolina Naturalizations 1783-1850 ($)
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - Original Documents for South Carolina Citizenship, 1790-1906 ($)
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - Admissions to Citizenship, District of South Carolina, 1790-1906 ( ($)
 * Selected U.S. Naturalization Records - District Courts in the Southeast, 1790-1958 – covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee ($)

For more information, see South Carolina Emigration and Immigration and South Carolina Naturalization and Citizenship.

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: South Carolina; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
 * Google Books. Use keywords "South Carolina" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * Internet Archive.Use keywords "South Carolina" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com, ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use South Carolina and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections

 * County and Town Histories, South Carolina with biographies
 * Men of mark in South Carolina; ideals of American life: a collection of biographies of leading men of the state. J. C. Hemphill, editor-in-chief. Illustrated with many full page photo-steel engraved portraits. v. 1,
 * Vol. 2,]
 * Vol. 3
 * County and Town Histories, South Carolina, with biographies
 * Vol. 3

Step 10: Contact a county historical or genealogical society.
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 * County historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the county.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia than you.


 * If you can find the society on the internet, they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, you can hire one of their members to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * South Carolina, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * South Carolina, United States Historical Images, Old Version

South Carolina Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in South Carolina Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the South Carolina Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * South Carolina Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in South Carolina.
This article focused more on South Carolina state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in South Carolina. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.