Visiting the South Carolina Department of Archives and History

     This second stop on my recent genealogy trip with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (aka the SC Archive). My mom and I woke up bright and early to get there just after they opened. The Archive is located in Columbia, just off of Highway 277. When we arrived it was raining a bit and there were only two other cars in the parking lot.

     Making our way up to the building, the windows were dark and I was a bit worried that I'd gotten their hours wrong. Never fear! The automatic doors swung open we stepped up the the reception desk. Like visiting other archives, we were asked to fill out a form and agree to the rules (no bags, pens, etc). Unlike other archives, we didn't get a researcher card. Instead, our information was put into the computer and they would look us up during future visits. We put our bags into the free lockers and took our notebook, pencils, laptop and camera into the Research Room.

     The first thing I did was approach the desk and ask about the room's layout and available records (I'd looked up available county records on their online index, but finding them at the location is a different thing) The very helpful archivist showed us the microfilm index drawer and explained about some of the available materials. Unfortunately, South Carolina records are very spotty, due to a lack of record creation and massive record destruction. For example, government marriage records aren't available until 1911.

     We grabbed some indexes for deeds in Lexington and Edgefield Counties and headed to the microfilm readers. There were perhaps as many as 40 of the older hand-cranked microfilm readers available and three of the more modern electronic readers with printers attached. Researchers are asked to take only one film at a time, which will prevent folks from hogging the printers.  Mom and I sat down at the manual readers and started hunting for ancestors. I used my laptop and genealogy software to keep track of names and the free wifi to tweet about my experience.

    Mom at the machines:



    After we had found a number of records in the indexes, I would pull the films with the actual documents and have mom print them. I was surprised to see that the print capable microfilm readers had coin slots on them that required you to pay 50¢ per copy in advance. We weren't prepared for this and had to get some change from the information desk. Due to this, I decided to only print copies of records for direct line ancestors and take photos of records for collateral line ancestors (I'd expected to save records to a flashdrive).
     Going back to pulling the microfim records: a list of all available microfilms were placed in binders. I used the information I'd found in the index and look up the corresponding film in the binders. This wasn't hard, but it wasn't super easy either. The binders were a mess! There were also additional records that did not have a separate film index, so we used the binder to locate them as well.
     We took an hour break for lunch, but otherwise spent six hours researching at the archive. I didn't break down any walls or find any new relatives. Instead, I concentrated on finding supporting documents for the ancestors I already knew. Records included: marriage licenses, wills of three multi-great grandparents, deeds of two multi-great grandparents, mortgage of GG-granfather Witt and the knowledge of what records didn't exist. 

     Next stop: Elmwood Cemetery

_______________

  Also in this series:

1. Tweeting My Trip
2. Visiting the OEDGS at the Tompkins Library
3. [This Post]
4. Visiting Elmwood Cemetery / RestingSpot Review
5. Visiting the Lexington County Museum
6. Visiting the Franklin Memorial Library (Emanuel County, GA)

The Price of Research in The South

It was recently announced that the price of vital records document requests will soon go up here in Georgia - for the second time in a year. All together, the cost of requesting these certificates will have gone up 150%! I thought I would put together a chart to show the different prices throughout the region.


The prices listed below are for records available through each state's vital records office. Not all years may be available at these locations and/or prices. Records that do not fit into the categories listed here are usually available through individual counties. Also, be sure to review each state's policy when "family only" restrictions are listed, as this term varies by state.

State  (Website Link)	Birth	Death	Marriage	Divorce
Alabama	$15; 1908-Present; Family only	$15; 1908-Present; 25 year restriction to family only	$15; 1936-Present	$15; 1950-Present
Arkansas	$12; Feb 1914-Present; Family only	$10; Feb 1914-Present; 50 year restriction to family only	$10; 1917-Present; Family only	$10; 1917-Present; Family only
Florida	$9; 1916-Present with limited availability from 1865; Family only with ID	$5; 1917-Present with limited availablility prior; 50 year restriction for COD or for family only	$5; Jun 1927-Present	$5; 1927-Present
Georgia	$15 now, soon $25; 1919-Present; ID Required & family only	$15 now, soon $25; 1919-Present	$10; 1952-1996	$10; Search Only/No Copies
Kentucky	$10;1911-Present	$6; 1911-Present	$6; 1958-Present	$6; 1958-Present
Louisiana	$15; 1907-Present; 100 year restriction & ID Required	$7; 1957-Present; 100 year restriction & ID Required	$5; 1957-Present; New Orleans Only	No Information
Mississippi	$15; Nov 1912-Present; ID Required & family only or for Genealogists after 100 years	$15; Nov 1912-Present; ID Required & family only or for Genealogist after 50 years	$15; 1926-Jul 1938 & Dec 1941-Present; ID Required & family only or for Genealogists after 100 years	$15; 1926-Jul 1938 & Dec 1942-Present; Search Only/No Copies
North Carolina	$24; 1913-Present; Possible family restrictions	$24; 1930-Present;  Possible family restrictions	$24; 1962-Present	$24; 1958-Present
South Carolina	$12; 1915-Present; ID Required	$12; 1915-Present; ID Required	$12; Jul 1950-Aug 2009	$14; Jul 1962-Dec 2008
Tennessee	$15; 1914-Present	$7; Available for past 50 Years	$15; Available for past 50 Years	$15; Available for past 50 Years
Virginia	$12; 1853-1896 & Jun 1912-Present; ID Required & family only	$12; 1853-1896 & Jun 1912-Present; ID Required & family only	$12; 1853-Present; ID Required	$12; 1918-Present; ID Required

Alice Budell Hooper is a Shocker

Lately, I've been seeking out local county government websites in an effort to find new genealogy resources. One that I've found is a Marriage License Record search available from the Greenville County, South Carolina probate court website. When I first found this database, I knew of a few family members that I might find listed, but could only find the marriage record for one of the couples (a Great-Aunt). I've checked back every few months to see if the database would be updated, and today I was rewarded - and surprised.

Mainly, I've been looking for the marriage license record of my grandparents, Roy and Betty (Huyler) Albea. I actually have their original marriage license in my records, but had found it odd that it was not listed in this database. Today I ran a search for 'Albea' and was rewarded with their listing, as well as one for Roy's father - which was an unexpected shock!

Roy's parents, Charles Vernon Albea and Mamie Auline Witt had divorced and lived in separate states. According to the family, Charles Vernon contracted tuberculosis while caring for his sister and died in 1947 in a sanitarium in at the early age of 44. His death certificate supports this information and even lists him as divorced with Auline as his wife. So I was very shocked to find a listing for Charles Vernon and a never heard of woman, Alice Budell Hooper. Who on earth is this woman? No one in the family had ever mentioned a second marriage, let alone this woman's name. I'm going to have to try and research her and send off for the marriage license to discover what this new information means.

Amanuensis Monday - John Dorn's Will

The South Carolina Department of Archives and History have placed some great genealogically relevant documents online. One collection that's especially helpful is "Will Transcripts 1782 - 1855." I've found a number of wills for my ancestors, including one for John Dorn Sr, my 6x Great-Grandfather. It is probably the most interesting will that I've found so far and greatly helped my research. Here's the transcription:

____________________________________

Will of

John Dorn

State of South Carolina \

Edgefield District /

In the name of God, amen.

I John Dorn, Sen., of the District & State aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, but weak in body & calling to mind the uncertainty of life & being desirous to dispose of all such wordly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say:

1. I give and bequeath to my children as follows, viz, William B. Dorn, Robert Dorn, John Dorn, Rebecca Smith, Benjamin Dorn, James Dorn, Mary Turner, Densely Dorn & Soloman Dorn, all my estate both real & personal, Equal Share & Share alike, except that portion that shall hereinafter be otherwise disposed of.

2. It is my desire, that immediately after my Death, my Executors cause all my Slaves to be loted out into Nine parcels as nearly Equal as possible, by some three compotent disinterested men, to be chosen by them, and by said three, to be valued to the best of their abilities; and immediately after allottment & valuation, my said children to draw, each one for themselves, one lot or share aforesaid; except my sons Densely & Benjamin, who shall be drawn for by my Executors.

3. I desire that immedaitely after my Death my Executors after giving a reasonable notice, expose all the remainder of my Estate both real & personal, to public sale to the highest bider, on such terms as they may deem expedient.

4. I loan to my wife Sarah Dorn one thousand dollars, with one year provisions, & such house furniture as my ex'rs may think proper; to be held in trust by them, or either of them, for her use and benefit, so long as she may live; and at her Death, any of said funds that may exist, be equally divided between my children aforesaid , or their heirs.

5. After all my Funeral expenses & just Debts be paid, out of the proceeds of the sale of my Estate aforesaid & other funds that I may be in possession of, I desire that my Executors make an equal distribution of all my estate as aforesaid, amongst my children aforesaid their heirs or assigns, taking in consideration the valuation of the different lots of slaves aforesaid.

6. In consideration of the deranged situation of my Sons Benjamin & Densley aforesaid, it is my desire that my son Soloman Dorn take the charge & care of my said son Benjamin first giving a sufficient bond to my son-in-low, Robert M. Smith, binding himself, his heirs and assigns, for the good & faithful Care-taking of my said son Benjamin so long as he shall live; and that Solomon aforesaid, in consideration of saud incumbrance, Shall have and hold for the use of himself & his heirs forever, all the Estate herein bequeathed to the said Benjamin; provided Said Benjamin Shall live more than Fifteen years after my Death; but should the said Benjamin Die before the expiration of fifteen years aforesaid, then the said Solomon Dorn, shall be fully compensated for all the trouble & expense he may necessarily be at in the Care-taking of said Benjamin aforesaid, and the remainder of said Benjamin's estate be equally devided among my children afresaid, their heirs or assigns and that my son-in-law Robert Smith take the charge & care of my said Son Densley Dorn, first giving sufficient bong to my Son Solomon Dorn, binding himself, his heirs & assigns for the good and faithful Care-taking of my said son, Densley Dorn, so long as he shall live, and that Robert Smith aforesaid in consideration of said incombrance shall have and hold for the use and benefit of himself, his heirs and assigns forever, All the Estate herein bequeathed to the son Densley Dorn, provided ----------- the said Densley Dorn Shall continue insane and live over fifteen years From my Death; but provided the said Densley, should at any time during his life be restored to his proper mind, he is to have the control of his estate, by paying said Robert M. A reasonable charge for his trouble in the care taking of him the said Densely aforesaid; but should said Densley, Die before the expiration of the fifteen years from the time of my Death, then the said Robert M. To be fully compensated for all the trouble and expense he may necessarily have been at in the care-taking of the said Densley, and the remainder of his estate aforesaid to be equally devided amongst my children aforesaid, their heirs or assings.

7. I constitute and appoint my sons, Robert Dorn & Solomon Dorn, Executors of this my last Will and Testament, by me so made; Revoking all other wills by me heretofore made. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and afixed my seal, this third day of Feb. A. D. One thousand eight hundred & forty-six, & of American Independence Seventieth signed, sealed, Published & declared, as & for the last will and Testament of the above named John Dorn, Sen. In the presence of

John Quattabum John Dorn (seal)

John Lendrum

Marchel Cornolly (Note- Four words interlined before assigned)

Recorded in Will Book "D" pages 285-6-7-

June 16, 1846, J. Hill, O.E.D.

Box 54-pkg-2249

____________________________________

SC Historic Newspapers Online

Online newspaper subscriptions can be pricy. Before making the investment, make sure to see what newspapers are available for the areas that are important to your research. I've previously comprised a list of Georgia newspapers available online (updated as of today).

Here's a list of digitized South Carolina Newspapers available online at the major database sites. If you looking for a specific newspaper, remember to check their website. Many major newspapers now offer programs to access their archives on their websites.

Databases:

GenealogyBank.com ($)

- Aiken Standard (2008-Current)
- Anderson Independent-Mail (1998-Current)
- Anti-Monarchist (1811)
- Beaufort Today (2008-Current)
- Belton & Honea Path News-Chronicle, The (2004-Current)
- Bluffton Today (1999-Current)
- Camden Gazette (1816-1822)
- Carolina Gazette (1800-1828)
- Charleston Courier (1803-1822)
- Charleston Evening Gazette (1785-1786)
- Charleston Mercury (1854-1859)
- Charleston Morning Post (1786-1787)
- Cheraw Chronicle, The (2006-Current)
- Chronicle of Liberty (1783-1783)
- City Gazette (1787-1833)
- Coastal Observer - Pawleys Island (2009-Current)
- Columbia Gazette (1794-1794)
- Columbia Star, The (2004-Current)
- Columbian Herald (1784-/1796)
- Daily Evening Gazette (1795-1795)
- Daily Journal-Messenger - Seneca (2006-Current)
- Echo du Sud (1801)
- Evening Courier (1798-1798)
- Gaffney Ledger, The (2004-Current)
- Georgetown Gazette (1798-1826)
- Herald Independent, The - Winnsboro (2008-Current)
- Herald, The - Rock Hill (2004-Current)
- Herald-Journal - Spartanburg (2004-Current)
- Horry Independent, The (2007-Current)
- Investigator (1812-1814)
- Island Packet (2009-Current)
- Messenger, The - Hartsville, (2007-Current)
- Miller's Weekly Messenger (1807-1820)
- Newberry Observer, The (2006-Current)
- Oracle 1/1/1807 - 12/8/1807 Historical News
- Pickens Sentinel, The (2008-Current)
- Post and Courier, The - Charleston (1994-Current)
- South Carolina Gazette (1792-1793)
- South Carolina State Gazette (1800-1828)
- South Carolina State Gazette (1799-1828)
- South-Carolina Gazette and General Advertiser (1783-1785)
- South-Carolina Independent Gazette (1791-1792)
- South-Carolina State-Gazette (1794-1802)
- South-Carolina Weekly Advertiser (1783-1783)
- South-Carolina Weekly Gazette (1783-1786)
- Southern Chronicle (1822-1825)
- Southern Evangelical Intelligencer (1819-1820)
- Southern Patriot (1831-1848)
- State (1891-1922)
- State Gazette of South-Carolina (1785-1793)
- State, The - Columbia (1987-Current)
- States Rights and Free Trade Evening Post (1831-1832)
- Strength of the People (1809-1810)
- Sun News, The - Myrtle Beach (1996-Current)
- Telegraph (1795-1795)
- Telescope (1815-1815)
- Times (1800-1820)
- Times and Democrat, The - Orangeburg (2002-Current)
- Union Daily Times, The (2006-Current)
- Winyaw Intelligencer (1817-1833)

NewspaperArchive.com ($)

- Aiken County Journal, The (1969)
- Aiken County Rambler (1981 - 1983)
- Aiken County Register (1983 - 1984)
- Aiken Courier Journal (1874 - 1878)
- Aiken Journal (1874)
- Aiken Journal and Review (1885 - 1935)
- Aiken Journal and Review, The (1925)
- Aiken Recorder (1882 - 1907)
- Aiken Standard (1924 - 2009)
- Aiken Standard and Review (1935 - 1969)
- Aiken Standard and South Carolina Gazette (1930 - 1935)
- Aiken Tribune (1871 - 1875)
- Columbia Star Columbia (2005 - 2009)
- Columbia Star Reporter (1966 - 1971)
- Conway Horry Independent (2008)
- Daily Mail Anderson (1952)
- Daily Times-News, The - Burlington (1957)
- Florence Morning News (1929 - 1977)
- Horry Independent (2003 - 2009)
- Journal and Review, The (1892 - 1899)
- Loris Scene (2008 - 2009)
- Loris Sentinel (1953 - 1959)
- Morning News - Florence (1933 - 1936)
- Morning News Review, The - Florence (1924 - 1928)

Ancestry.com ($)

- Aiken Standard (1969-1977)
- Daily Times News - Burlington (1957-1957)
- Florence Morning News (1929-1977)
- Morning News - Florence (1936-1936)
- The Morning News Review - Florence (1924-1928)

Footnote.com ($)

- Columbia Star (2003-2004)

- Horry Independent (1999-2004)

- Loris Scene (1998-2003)

- Loris Sentinel (1953, 1956-1959)

- Star Reporter (1963-1971)

NewsInHistory.com ($)

- Camden Gazette (1816 - 1822)
- Southern Chronicle (1822 - 1825)
- Carolina Gazette (1800 - 1828)
- Charleston Courier (1803 - 1822)
- Charleston Mercury (1854 - 1859)
- City Gazette (1800 - 1833)
- Echo du Sud (1801)
- Investigator (1812 - 1814)
- Oracle - Charleston (1807)
- Southern Evangelical Intelligencer (1819 - 1820)
- Southern Patriot (1831 - 1848)
- Strength of the People (1809 - 1810)
- Times - Charleston (1800 - 1820)
- South-Carolina State-Gazette (1800 - 1802)
- South Carolina State Gazette (1800 - 1828)
- State - Columbia (1891 - 1922)
- Telescope - Columbia (1815 - 1843)
- Anti-Monarchist - Edgefield (1808 - 1811)
- Georgetown Gazette (1800 - 1826)
- Winyaw Intelligencer (1817 - 1833)
- Murfreesboro Union (1939)
- Miller's Weekly Messenger (1807 - 1820)