The Research Room at the South Carolina Archives contains several useful records indexes, guides, and publications for genealogical research at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. The best government records to consult for establishing relationships among people are census records, county probate records, county land records, county equity court records, and state death certificates. The state of South Carolina required marriage licenses beginning in 1911 and birth and death certificates beginning in 1915. Wireless internet access is provided.
Utilizing the CHM’s library, archives, and historical collections, the Institute fills a void in Revolutionary War studies and scholarly resources, which traditionally have concentrated on the Northern campaigns of the American Revolution. The institute is the only center exclusively dedicated to the study of the Revolution in the Southern states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. Although the general scope of the Institute is the entire Southern Campaign, it has a particular focus on the Revolutionary War in the Carolina backcountry.
The South Carolina Room at LCPL has an extensive collection of materials relating to this area’s history and its people. These resources are available to all visitors. Because of the valuable nature of these materials, all must be used in the library. The South Carolina Room is open during all regular hours of the library and is usually staffed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. If you are coming from out of town it is suggested that you call before your visit to make sure that the library will be open for your research.
The Kennedy Room of Local and South Carolina History and Cleveland Genealogy Department houses an extensive collection of source material for genealogy and history researchers. In addition to books, types of materials in our collection include microform, maps, media clippings, manuscripts, visual arts and access to several online genealogy databases. The materials’ focus is on Spartanburg County but also includes South Carolina and regional information. The Kennedy Room is located on the top floor of the Headquarters Library.
The South Carolina Room in the Hughes Main Library has an extensive collection of material to assist researchers interested in historical and genealogical research. While the major focus of the collection is Greenville and the Upstate, there are many sources for other locations in South Carolina and other states. The South Carolina Room staff is available to assist researchers in person or through the Records Search Form.