The search for family history is a profound experience that many people go through at some point in their lives. Who we are seems to be something that people strive to find out as well as finding out about where they come from. One starting point that is most helpful when beginning a family history or genealogy search begins with building a family tree. A tip to consider is to include in the family tree a list of everyone who is in your direct line that you already know of. If you do not know of any other family members or want to know the birth dates, death and marriages the best place to start is by performing a South Carolina genealogy records search.
Obtaining vital records is one of the best resources that often help people who wish to perform genealogy research. These vital records, which can be ordered through many websites including the state government sites, include birth certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, adoption records and death certificates. To get vital records, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control web site provides information on how to get records. Since there are date restrictions, most records before a certain date, such as 1950 need to be requested through an affiliated court office website.
Through the archives section of the state of South Carolina government website, research for genealogy can be done easily. There is a helpful online records index that also for people to search through a collection of databases for free. The documents listed in the index are grouped by records between certain dates such as Records of Confederate Veterans from the dates of 1909 through 1973. When entering date into the database search, dates can be included and individual names. This index provides useful information for anyone doing a South Carolina genealogy records search.
If additional information is needed, through the SC website of archives, email or mail and phone requests can be done so that the reference staff can check indexes based on information that you require. A genealogy research request form has to be filled out and then the staff will send documents, records and certificates. The request form includes your name, address, email, name of person who you are searching for, dates of residence in SC and any additional information you wish to add. It will usually take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to receive a response.
Keep in mind that a thorough South Carolina genealogy records search takes time and effort in order to complete and get documents to add to your genealogy collection. If you do not find the records that you are searching for the first time, it is okay to try again and through other means of researching. County records offices will have many records from birth dates, death, marriage, divorce and even adoption similar to the state offices. There are also other websites to search for genealogy records and could give you more information than just vital records. Civil war and military records can also provide information to your genealogy records.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control is charged with maintaining a bureau of vital statistics for the state. State code Title 44 Chapter 63 explains in detail the expectations for the department, and outlines all the rules and regulations by which the department must abide. South Carolina genealogy records are confidential.
When 100 years have passed since the issuance of a birth certificate, or 50 years have passed since the issuance of a death certificate, said records are required by state statute to be made available for public viewing. This law makes it easier to obtain the information of ancestors for genealogy records. South Carolina law states that for birth records in which the registrant is still alive, only the person listed on the record or a legal representative may obtain a copy of the record. For death records, only members of the deceased person's family may order a copy of the death certificate.
Public Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Birth Records
Death Records
Marriage Records
Divorce Records
Genealogy Records