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Birth Records


South Carolina did not require birth certificates until 1 January 1915. These records are still held by the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).


Federal records:

Federal Census. Population Schedules. South Carolina, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930. Indexed. The census schedules list the age of the individual, enabling the researcher to estimate an approximate year of birth. The 1900 schedule includes the month and year of birth.


State records:

  • Health and Environmental Control, Department of. Cherokee County Health Department. Birth Certificates, 1940. 1 bundle.
  • Health and Environmental Control, Department of. City of Aiken. Board of Health. Register of Births, 1909-1910. l v.

  • Health and Environmental Control, Department of. City of Charleston. Board of Health. Birth Certificates, 1877-1901. 15 mfm.

  • Health and Environmental Control, Department of. Union County. Health Department. Index to Vital Records, 1921-1937. 1 ff.

  • Health and Environmental Control, Department of. Division of Biostatistics. Spartanburg City Birth Register, 1895-1914. 1 mfm.


County records:

  • Barnwell County. Board of Health. Index to Births, 1915-1958. 1 mfm.

  • Barnwell County. Clerk of Court Other Than Court or Mesne Conveyance Records. Book of Delayed Certificates for Births prior to 1915, n.d. 1 mfm.

  • Greenville County. Clerk of Court Other Than Court or Mesne Conveyance Records. Delayed certificates for births prior to 1915; 7 v., 1940-1955.

  • Horry County. Clerk of Court Other Than Court or Mesne Conveyance Records. Delayed Certificates for Births prior to 1915; 3 v., 1939-1960.