Step-by-Step South Carolina Research, 1880-Present
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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.[edit | edit source]
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?[edit | edit source]
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 :
- 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History at ThoughtCo.com
- Creating Oral Histories at FamilySearch Wiki
What documents should be collected or copied?[edit | edit source]
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.
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Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.[edit | edit source]
- A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
- For each person living in a household (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 can be listed.
- Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
- Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.
Using clues to lead to census record searches.[edit | edit source]
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This marriage certificate, found in old home papers, gives clues as to when and where to search in census records for the Funderburk family. |
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- The first goal is to search for Olivia Funderbunk in 1920 listed in her parents' home.
In 1920, Sallie Funderburk and her children are found in South Carolina. Olivia's name is pronounced Arleva, and written so.
- The next goal is to find records of 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, 10 children have been identified for this couple.
Finding the next earlier generation.=[edit | edit source]
- Since General Funderbunk was born in 1872, the next step would be to find him listed in the home of his parents as a 7-8 year old son.
In the 1880 census, General Funderburk is listed in the home of his parents, Herod and Eliza/Lisa Funderburk.
- The next step is the follow the family of Herod Funderbunk forward in time through the 1900 and 1910 censuses.
Combining the information from 1880 to 1920, it is possible to identify twelve children for this family.
Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.[edit | edit source]
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South Carolina State Censuses[edit | edit source]
- 1790-1890: South Carolina Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index at Ancestry - index only ($)
- 1829-1920: South Carolina State and Territorial Censuses 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.[edit | edit source]
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 census clues to lead to a birth certificate.[edit | edit source]
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 census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.[edit | edit source]
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.
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Example of a marriage index entry.
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Example of a county marriage register entry. |
Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.[edit | edit source]
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:
- 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.
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.
Gather as many birth, marriage, and death records as possible.[edit | edit source]
How to Find the Records[edit | edit source]
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
- online databases
- writing to a county courthouse (prior to the beginning of state civil registration)
- purchasing them through the mail at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
Online databases, usually indexes, with some images[edit | edit source]
Records at the County Courthouse.[edit | edit source]
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.[edit | edit source]
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 at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
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.
Step 4: Try to find additional details about ancestors in obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records online.[edit | edit source]
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Obituaries[edit | edit source]
- 1980-2014 United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, Births, and Marriages 1980-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- Online South Carolina Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index
- South Carolina Newspapers and Obituaries at LDS Genealogy — index
- South Carolina Obituaries at ObitsArchive.com — index & images ($)
- South Carolina Obituaries Help and Genealogy Resources at ObituariesHelp.org — index
Cemeteries[edit | edit source]
- 1949-1969 United States, Cemetery Abstracts, 1949-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- BillionGraves — index & images
- BillionGraves Index at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Findmypast ($)
- FindaGrave — index & images
- Find a Grave Index at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry ($)
- South Carolina Cemeteries at I Dream of Genealogy — index
- South Carolina Cemeteries at USGenWeb Tombstones — index
- South Carolina Cemetery Records at Interment.net — index
- South Carolina Death Records and South Carolina Cemetery Records at Interment.net — index
- Online South Carolina Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index
U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007[edit | edit source]
- 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
- 1935-2014 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index ($); Picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off by providing information filed in the application or claims process
- 1962-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 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 II draft cards.[edit | edit source]
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.[edit | edit source]
- 1917-1918 United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1942 United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
Step 6: Look for church records online.[edit | edit source]
Church records function as vital records.
- 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.
Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
Search for church records that can provide additional birth, marriage, and death information.[edit | edit source]
FamilySearch[edit | edit source]
- 1681-1935 South Carolina, Births and Christenings, 1681-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1709-1913 South Carolina, Marriages, 1709-1913 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
- 1816-1990 South Carolina Deaths and Burials, 1816-1990 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
Ancestry.com[edit | edit source]
- 1641-1965 South Carolina, Compiled Marriage Index, 1641-1965 at Ancestry — index ($)
- 1688-1799 South Carolina Marriages, 1688-1799 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1688-1820 Supplement to South Carolina Marriages, 1688-1820 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1800-1820 South Carolina Marriages, 1800-1820 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Baptist[edit | edit source]
- 1750-1899 U.S., Southern Baptist Church Records, 1750-1899 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1866-1887 South Carolina, U.S., Baptist Deaths and Marriages, 1866-1887 at Ancestry — index ($)
Quakers (Society of Friends)[edit | edit source]
- 1681-1935 U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1750-1815 Early Quaker Records of South Carolina, 1750-1815(*) Marshall, Thomas W. at FamilySearch Catalog — images
- Quaker Families of South Carolina and Georgia, by Medlin, William F. n.p.: Ben Franklin Press, 1982. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
South Carolina Digital Library[edit | edit source]
- Church Records at South Carolina Digital Library — index & images
- South Carolina Digital Library at South Carolina Digital Library — index & images
- For help with church records kept in South Carolina, see South Carolina Church Records.
- To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.
Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.[edit | edit source]
- County probate records include probate proceedings, petitions, affidavits, orders for sales, reports of sales, administrators' and executors' bonds, guardianship papers, wills, and letters of administration.
- In a will book, usually just a transcription of the will is recorded. But all of these other records are kept in a probate packet.
- Administrations are probate proceedings that handled an estate if no known will existed.
Search these indexes and images for probate records.[edit | edit source]
- 1670-1980 South Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1671-1977 South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1732-1964 South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- A Genealogical Collection of South Carolina Wills and Records. Vol. 1, by Young, Pauline. Greenville, South Carolina: Greenville Printing Company, 1955. Online at: HathiTrust
- Indexes to the County Wills of South Carolina at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- South Carolina Wills and Other Court Records, by Esker, Katie-Prince Ward. n.p.: n.p., n.d. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
Probate Information in County Wiki Articles[edit | edit source]
Each South Carolina county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: South Carolina Counties
For more information, see South Carolina Probate Records and United States Probate Records.
Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.[edit | edit source]
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.
Look for immigrant ancestors in shipping lists and citizenship sources.[edit | edit source]
South Carolina Immigration Records[edit | edit source]
- 1763-1773 A Compilation of the Original Lists of Protestant Immigrants to South Carolina, 1763-1773 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1772 Scotch-Irish Migration to South Carolina, 1772 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1820-1829 Passenger Arrivals at the Port of Charleston, 1820-1829 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1904-1942 South Carolina, Georgetown, Passenger Lists, 1904-1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1906-1962 South Carolina, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists, 1906-1962 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- The Original Lists of Persons of Quality : Emigrants; Religious Exiles; Political Rebels; Serving Men Sold for a Term of Years; Apprentices; Children Stolen; Maidens Pressed; and Others Who Went From Great Britain to the American Plantations, 1, by Hotten, John Camden. New York: G. A. Baker and Co., Inc., 1931. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
South Carolina Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records[edit | edit source]
- 1783-1850 South Carolina Naturalizations 1783-1850 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
- 1868-1991 South Carolina, U.S., Naturalization Records, 1868-1991 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
For more information, see South Carolina Emigration and Immigration and South Carolina Naturalization and Citizenship.
Step 9: Search for printed local histories or biography collections online.[edit | edit source]
Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
- Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: South Carolina; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"
- Google Books. Use keywords "South Carolina" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
- Family History Books
- County and Town Histories:
- Internet Archive. Use keywords "South Carolina" and the county name.
- Ancestry.com ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use South Carolina and the name of the county.
FamilySearch Collected Local Histories[edit | edit source]
- 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[edit | edit source]
- County and Town Histories, South Carolina at LearnWebSkills — index & images
- Men of Mark in South Carolina; Ideals of American Life; A Collection of Biographies of Leading Men of the State, by Hemphill, J. C. Washington, D. C.: Men of Mark Publishing Company, 1907-1908. Online at: Vol. 1 - HathiTrust; Vol. 2 - HathiTrust; Vol. 3 - HathiTrust
Step 10: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.[edit | edit source]
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.
Step 11: Use other FamilySearch tools.[edit | edit source]Historical Images[edit | edit source]Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
South Carolina Online Genealogy Records[edit | edit source]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.
Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in South Carolina.[edit | edit source]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. |
