To search our collections, please start with our online catalog, which can be found on our main webpage.

To search by keyword, enter keywords in the search box and click “search.” Or, you can follow the link below the search box to "Advanced Search." There you will be able to search specific fields within the catalog records and build searches with "AND," "OR," or "NOT."

In your first results page, you may limit your results further to physical and digital items held by University Libraries, including South Caroliniana Library, by clicking the drop-down arrow next to the search box where it says “Articles, Books and More,” choosing “UofSC Libraries,” and clicking the magnifying glass search icon to refresh your results. Then, if you wish to limit specifically to items within South Caroliniana Library's collections, click the checkboxes to choose all locations that have "South Caroliniana" as part of their name under the "Location" menu (at the left of the screen on a computer or under the filters icon on your phone). This may not seem intuitive, but choosing locations containing "South Caroliniana" returns a complete set of South Caroliniana Library Collections, while choosing "South Caroliniana Library" under "Library" does not always return a complete set.

In addition to searching our catalog, you can search finding aids to many of our larger collections. This includes our larger genealogical collections that may include folders on particular surnames. Just put your surnames into the search box. Don't forget to include variant spellings you might find in your family tree.

We also have South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research (catalog record here) through 2020. This magazine presents transcriptions of records from various sources that include important names and dates such as marriages, deaths, property transfers, court actions, etc. It is not available online, but is available in our Reading Room by appointment.

Many genealogists find that Ancestry is a useful resource, especially if they are just starting out. It is a subscription service and in no way affiliated with South Carolinana Library or the University of South Carolina. Often public libraries offer free access to Ancestry. And you might also want to investigate other possible resources at your public library.

Past records of the United States Census are available through the National Archives.

State and some county records and other resources can be found at the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. Their website includes excellent guidance for genealogists.

Some genealogists find that they wish to employ a professional researcher to assist with their family history. Please contact us if you would like a list of researchers who have provided their contact information for us to give out.

Please also see, "I have African American ancestry. Do you have suggestions for researching my genealogy?"