Genealogical Research

Research Inquiries

We cannot do extensive research for our members or for the general public, but we do answer inquiries and can make research suggestions.

Please Contact Us if you have a research question. We have neither library, nor staff, but our volunteers will try to direct you to appropriate organizations or individuals who may be able to help. Our webmaster will forward your query to one of our volunteers and they will respond as soon as they can.

Chapter members who conduct paid research are shown below. Alternatively, you can also find a list of paid researchers from the Charleston County Public Library’s web site on their SC Room page or from the SC State Archives, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC 29223: (803) 896-6100.

Chapter Members for Hire

The following members of the Charleston County Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society are available for hire as paid genealogical researchers.

Jeff Castle Castle Genealogy, LLC P. O. Box 60761 North Charleston, SC 29419 ph: (843) 321-4135 e-mail: JEFFCASTLEGENEALOGY.com

South Carolina County Research Information

In 2016, chapter member Rick Springer began a series of articles about genealogical and historical research in the various counties of South Carolina.  This information is available in our Members Only section.

Charleston County Cemeteries

The first project taken up by the Charleston Chapter was an inventory of the Charleston County cemeteries, led by Mr. Robert Babb. Mr. Babb, a very efficient engineer, made area maps of each “assignment” in Charleston, Berkeley and Colleton Counties, showing each cemetery in these areas. The results were compiled into several cemetery books.  Books that are still available for purchase can be found at Books Available from Chapter.

We are continuing to put together an exhaustive compilation of Charleston County Cemeteries. In addition to identifying the specific locations of the cemeteries, we are also identifying any transcriptions of cemetery tombstones or records that have been made.

Charleston County Churches

Churches: We are collecting information about Charleston County Churches for dissemination on our web site. We are interested in Church name (both current and historical), location, founding date, contact information, and whether church records exist. As with our Cemeteries page, if you can add any information, please contact us.

Donations of Genealogical Materials

Do you have books, manuscripts, letters, photographs, or land records that could benefit from better care than you can provide? Matching your items with the proper repository may take some time, but there are numerous benefits.

• PROTECTION Most of these facilities provide secure storage that is climate controlled for better preservation.
• CONSERVATION Frequently documents require repairs beyond what individuals can provide.
• SHARING Placing your material in a library gives other researchers access to information that might not otherwise be available.
• TAX BENEFITS All these institutions will provide receipts. Some appraise the donation or help you find appraisers.

Charleston Library Society
164 King St., Charleston, SC 29401. (843) 723-9912
They are interested in old books. Query before donating.
Contact Carol Jones, Head Librarian at cjonescharlestonlibrarysociety.org, or Trisha Kometer, Archivist at tkometercharlestonlibrarysociety.org

The South Caroliniana Library

University of South Carolina campus in Columbia, SC.
They collect unpublished and published historical and genealogical materials of South Carolina interest, including manuscripts, books and pamphlets, images, maps, newspapers, and oral histories.
Contact:  Henry Fulmer, Director; telephone (803) 777-5745; email fulmerhmailbox.sc.edu.

South Carolina Historical Society
100 Meeting Street, Charleston
(843) 723-3225
www.southcarolinahistoricalsociety.org/

South Carolina Room of the Charleston County Public Library

They are interested in published and unpublished South Carolina historical and genealogical material, particularly family histories but also including manuscripts, books, pamphlets, oral histories, dissertations, maps, and postcards. Also interested in genealogical material for the surrounding states of Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama.
68 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401 843-805-6956
Contact: Marianne Cawley, Manager 843-805-6960 or 6956 email: cawleymccpl.org

Hollings Library, USC Campus, Columbia, SC

Rare Books and Special Collections, at USC accepts old and special books. Query regarding donating.
Contact Elizabeth Sudduth, Special Collections Librarian at esudduthmailbox.sc.edu.

The A.S. Salley Archives/Orangeburg County Historical Society

Interested in materials relating to Orangeburg County and/or people from there. Please query before donating.
1421 Middleton St.
Orangeburg, SC 29116
(803) 535-0022
ochsorangeburgh.org