Research at the South Carolina Archives

South Carolina as a governmental entity has existed for over three hundred years. But even before the first settlers arrived on the bank of the Ashley River in April 1670, England had begun to create and preserve records concerning this latest colonial venture under its flag. The first entry in the Account of Disbursements and Receipts kept by the Lords Proprietors, under whose patronage the settlement was made, is an account of 6 June 1663 for four shillings and three pence "To Cash paid for this booke." This initial cash outlay paid for the first volume in what has become one of the largest and most valuable collections of colonial and state records.

History

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History is custodian of the non-current archives of state and local government. It has evolved from two agencies the legislature created in the late-nineteenth century, the Public Record Commission of South Carolina, which was appointed in 1891 to obtain copies of South Carolina records in the British Public Records Office, and the South Carolina Historical Commission, which was created in 1894 to maintain these copies and was then given wider record-keeping duties in 1905. The Archives Act of 1954 changed the commission's name to the South Carolina Archives Department and redefined and extended its archival responsibilities.

Then in 1968, the Archives Department became the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. The new name recognized the Department's responsibilities for historic preservation, historical services, and records management. In the spring of 1998, the Archives moved to its current location at the South Carolina Archives and History Center. 

Reference Services

The Reference Services Branch operates the Research Room and answers mail, telephone and e-mail queries. Staff will answer questions about the records and provide specific information from them if the amount of research time is reasonable. Staff will also check specified indexes for a specific name and fill a photocopy order for records in which the name appears. Staff cannot undertake extensive research or analyze records for questions of judgment; they can, however, recommend sources for further research. On request, we will provide the names of people who are willing to do genealogical research for a fee. In general, researchers with extensive or complicated projects will find it more profitable and enjoyable to do their own research. (layout of the reference room).  Reference queries can be submitted by e-mail.

Registration

As a state-supported repository of public records, the Department is open, without charge, to everyone. To preserve the records and ensure their safety, however, the Department must enforce some limitations and restrictions. To protect fragile records, for example, it will provide microfilm copies of records rather than original manuscripts. Although it is not necessary for researchers to write in advance of a visit, it is often helpful to do so. 

To compile statistics that will enable the department to give the best service possible, the Department keeps registration forms that track research visits for each fiscal year. When researchers make their initial visit they will be asked to complete a form, giving name, permanent address, an identification number and the subject and purpose of their research. When researchers report to the lobby registration desk on subsequent visits during the year, staff will use the form to record those visits. Please leave all briefcases, book bags, portfolios, purse, and wraps in the locker room located in the lobby.

Security

Because the Department collects permanently valuable public records, it must take precautions. We permit only authorized staff to enter the stacks where records are kept, allow no documents, volumes, books or microfilm to be taken from the Reference Room, and ask researchers to leave briefcases and other belongings in the lockers located in the lobby. Cameras or other equipment may be used in the Reference Room only with permission. As a further security measure, the Department reserves the right to require researchers to submit to a search of briefcases, knapsacks, books, paper and so forth before they enter or leave. Food and beverages are allowed only in the patron lounge which is located in the lobby. A public phone is also available in the patron lounge.