South Carolina Census Records

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South Carolina Census Notes 

Federal South Carolina census records are available to the public for the following census years: 1790, 1800, 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 & 1930. See 1790-1940 US Census Records at Ancestry.

1800 Federal Census Records for South Carolina: Portions of the 1800 Federal census schedules are missing for Richland County, SC.

The 1890 Federal South Carolina census records were destroyed by a 1921 warehouse fire, however the special schedules for Veterans and Widows survived the fire and are often used as a census substitute. See A Fire Destroyed The 1890 Census, Bridging the 1890 Census Gap & 1890 Veterans Schedules at Ancestry.

South Carolina State Census Records: There are some state census enumerations taken by the state of SC.  These were recorded in 1829, 1839, 1848, 1861, 1868, 1869 and 1875.  

Surviving SC state census records include:

1829 State Census: Fairfield & Laurens Districts.

1839 State Census: Beaufort, Chesterfield,, Kershaw & Lexington Districts.

1848 State Census: City of Charleston.

1861 State Census: City of Charleston.

1868 State Census: Contains agricultural returns only.

1869: All counties with the exception of Clarendon, Oconee & Spartanburg.

1875: Clarendon, Newberry & Marlboro counties are complete. Partial 1875 state census records are available for Abbeville, Beaufort, Fairfield, Lancaster & Sumter counties.  The South Carolina state census returns are available at The South Carolina Archives & History Center.

If researching in Berkeley County, be aware it is not the original county.  The early Berkeley District was discontinued.

The discontinuance and reorganizing of districts can make South Carolina census research confusing. Refer often to the county and district formation data. Early maps are helpful. See: Early Evolution of SC Districts and Counties.

South Carolina

Census & Voter Lists

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South Carolina Vital Records

Division of Vital Records

2600 Bull Street

Phone: (803) 898-3630

Order Forms

Birth & Death records from 1915 to present are kept at the above address.

Marriage records 1911 to the present are on file in the Probate Judge's office at the county level.

Charleston Birth records begin in 1877 and are available at the City Health Dept.

Also See

South Carolina Marriage Records

South Carolina Vital Records

South Carolina Vital Records Information

South Carolina Vital Records Links

SC Vital Record Databases

1709-1913 Marriages

1846-1935 South Carolina Births and Christenings

1915-1962 SC Death Indexes

1915-1943 SC Deaths

1944-1955 SC Deaths

South Carolina Databases at World Vital Records

SC Probate Record Images, 1671-1977

SC Probate Records and Loose Papers Images, 1671-1977

South Carolina Maps

South Carolina County Map

SC Historical Maps

Newspapers & Obituaries

South Carolina Newspaper Obits

South Carolina Newspapers

1815-1985 Historical Newspapers

Related Links

Census Microfilm Catalogs at NARA

Civil War in South Carolina

Old District Records of South Carolina

Revolutionary War in South Carolina

South Carolina African American Research

South Carolina Census Images

South Carolina Census Records Project

SC Confederate Civil War Service Records

South Carolina Genealogy

South Carolina Genealogy Project

South Carolina Genealogy Societies

South Carolina History Museums

South Carolina USGenWeb Archives

State Archives Links

War of 1812 in South Carolina

SC Native American

1847 Census Records - Catawba Indians

1854 Census Records - Catawba Indians

1880 Census Records - Catawba Indians

1900 Census Records - Catawba Indians

Catawba Native Americans

South Carolina

(Statehood 1788)

South Carolina was separated from North Carolina in 1713.  Many early settlers of the area were English, Dutch, Quakers, & Huguenots.  The first three districts formed in 1683 were Berkeley, Colleton & Craven all of which were discontinued.  Today's Berkeley County is not the original Berkeley District.  In 1769, South Carolina was divided into districts.  From those 7 districts came the counties we know today.  Study of the district, county and boundary link changes may be required to locate your ancestors in South Carolina.

Statewide South Carolina Census Records Online

 1772-1890 South Carolina Census Records at Ancestry

 1779 Census of the 96th District

 1781 Census of Residents in South Carolina (unknown county)

 1790 Federal Census Images Statewide

 1790 Federal Census of the US at the U. S. Census Bureau

 1840 Federal Census Pensioners Statewide Surnames A-L

 1840 Federal Census Pensioners Statewide Surnames M-Z

 1850 Federal Census Index and 1850 Census Images

 1850 Federal Census Mortality Schedules Index and Images

 1850 Federal Census Slave Schedules Index and Images

 1850 Federal Census Slave Schedule Images

 1860 Federal Census Index

 1870 Federal Census Index and 1870 Census Images

 1870 Federal Census Mortality Schedule Statewide

 1880 Federal Census - Search and View the images

 1880 Federal Census Search at Family Search

 1900 Federal Census Index and 1900 Census Images

 1910 Federal Census Index

 1920 Federal Census Index

 1930 Federal Census Index

 1940 Federal Census Index and 1940 Census Images

 South Carolina Databases at World Vital Records

 South Carolina Databases of Census Records & Genealogy Records

Other SC Statewide Genealogy Records Used as Census Substitutes

 1716-1783 Early South Carolina Colonists

 1770 Tryon County, NC (contains many residents in present day SC boundaries)

 1779 Jury Lists of the 96th District - A census substitute

 1781 Residents of Unknown Counties of SC

 1835 Federal Pension List - Statewide

 1835 Federal Pensioners Statewide at USGenWeb

SC Census Records Online by County

Abbeville County Census Records (Created 1785 from Old District 96.)

1790 Federal Census Images

1820 Federal Census images

1830 Federal Census images

1840 Census of Pensioners

1850 Federal Census Index

1869 Militia Enrollment

1883 Census of Pensioners

1890 Federal Census Veterans and Widows Schedule

1900 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

1907 Confederate Census Records

1930 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

Other Records

1784 Tax Records

1825 Mills Atlas Index

1919-1938 Confederate Pension Applications

Biographies of Early Residents

Confederate Pension Applications for Black Soldiers

WWII Honor List

Aiken County Census Records (Created 1871 from Barnwell, Edgefield & Orangeburg.)

1883 Census of Pensioners

1890 Federal Census Veterans and Widows Schedule

1900 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

1930 Federal Census Enumeration Districts Part 1  Part 2

Other Records

Confederate Pension Applications

Ninety Years of Aiken County (Online Book)

Allendale County Census Records (Created 1919 from Barnwell & Hampton.)

1930 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

Other Records

Confederate Pension Applications

Confederate Pension Applications for Black Soldiers

Early Settlers

WWII Honor List

Anderson County Census Records (Created 1826 from Pendleton District)

1830 Federal Census Index

1840 Census of Pensioners

1830 Federal Census Records Partial

1840 Federal Census Records Index

1850 Federal Census Index

1883 Census of Pensioners

1901 Census of Confederate Veterans

1907 Confederate Census Records

1900 Federal Census Enumeration Districts Part 1  Part 2

1930 Federal Census Enumeration Districts Part 1  Part 2  Part 3

Other Records

1843 Tax Records

1869 Militia Enrollment

Confederate Pension Applications

Confederate Pension Applications for Black Soldiers

WWII Honor List

Bamberg County Census Records (Created 1897 from Barnwell)

No known census online.  Submit a census link.

1900 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

1930 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

Other Records

1915-1920 Death Index

1917 WWI Draft Registrations

Confederate Pension Applications

Confederate Pension Applications for Black Soldiers

WWII Casualties

WWII Enlistment Records

WWII Honor List

Barnwell County Census Records (Created 1798 from Orangeburg District)

1800 Federal Census Index

1800 Federal Census Index at US Census Project

1800 Federal Census Index to Images

1800 Federal Census Images

1800 Federal Census Transcription - Pages 1-33

1800 Federal Census Transcription - Pages 34-54

1810 Federal Census Index at US Census Project

1810 Federal Census Images

1820 Federal Census Images

1830 Federal Census Images

1840 Census of Pensioners

1850 Federal Census Index

1860 Federal Census Slave Schedules and 1870 Census of African American Surname Matches

1883 Census of Pensioners

1900 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

1930 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

Other Records

1825 Mills Atlas Index

1840-1860 Double Ponds Baptist Church Records

Confederate Pension Applications

Confederate Pension Applications for Black Soldiers

Confederate Veterans List

Military Rosters of Soldiers of Barnwell District

WWII Casualties

WWII Honor List

Beaufort County Census Records (Created 1769 - Original District)

1790 Federal Census Index

1790 Federal Census Images

1790 Federal Census Records

1800 Federal Census Index

1800 Federal Census Records:

Part 1  |  Part 2  |  Part 3  |  Part 4  |  Part 5  |  Part 6

1810 Federal Census Index

1810 Federal Census Images

1820 Federal Census Index

1830 Federal Census Index

1850 Federal Census Index

1860 Federal Census Index and 1860 Census Records for Prince William Parish

1883 Census of Pensioners

1900 Federal Census Enumeration Districts Part 1  Part 2

1920 Federal Census Records - Districts 63 & 80

1930 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

Other Records

1825 Mills Atlas Index

Confederate Pension Applications

Confederate Pension Applications for Black Soldiers

Early Settlers

WWII Honor List

Berkeley County Census Records (Created 1882 from Charleston)

1883 Census of Pensioners

1900 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

1930 Federal Census Enumeration Districts

1930 Federal Census of Moncks Corner, District 4, East Part

1930 Federal Census of Moncks Corner, District 15, West Part

1930 Federal Census of Second St. Stephens, District 18 (South Part)

Other Records

1825 Mills Atlas Index

1922-1923 Pinopolis School Register

1923-1924 Pinopolis School Register for Grades 7 - 9

1925-1926 Pinopolis School Register

Confederate Pension Applications

Confederate Pension Applications for Black Soldiers

WWII Enlistment Records

WWII Honor List

Berkeley County OLD (Created 1683 - this one discontinued 1769. Extinct County.)

NOTE:  Records for Old Berkeley County are on file in Charleston.

1790 Federal Census of St. James - Goose Creek - Page 36

1790 Federal Census of St. James - Goose Creek - Page 37

1790 Federal Census of St. James Santee Parish

1790 Federal Census of St. Johns Parish

1790 Federal Census of St. Stephens Parish

1790 Federal Census of St. Thomas Parish Page 44

1790 Federal Census of St. Thomas Parish Page 45

Calhoun County Census Records (Created 1908 from Lexington & Orangeburg.)

No known census online.  Submit a census link.

Camden District (1769 - 1798 Discontinued)

1790 Federal Census Images

Carteret District (Created 1683 - Name changed to Granville in 1700).

No known census online.  Submit a census link.

Charleston County Census Records (Created 1769 - Original District)

1790 Federal Census Images

1790 Federal Census Transcription of Christ Church Parish

1790 Federal Census Transcription of St. Paul's Parish

1790 Federal Census Transcription of St. James Goose Creek Parish

1790 Federal Census Transcription of St. James Santee Parish

1861 Census Records for City of Charleston

Cheraws District (1769 - 1798 Discontinued).

1790 Federal Census Images

Cherokee County Census Records (Created 1897 from Spartanburg, Union & York)

1910 Federal Census of ED 101

1920 Federal Census Records Index

Other Records

Chester County Census Records (Created 1785 from Camden District & Craven)

1790 Federal Census Images

1790 Federal Census Records
1800 Federal Census Records

1810 Federal Census Index
1810 Federal Census Records
1820 Federal Census Records

1830 Federal Census Index
1830 Federal Census Records

1840 Federal Census Index
1840 Federal Census Records
1850 Federal Census Records

1850 Federal Census Records Transcription

1860 Federal Census Records Transcription

Chesterfield County Census Records (Created 1798 from Cheraws District)

Other Records

Military War Veterans & Soldiers

Claremont County (Created 1785.  Became part of Sumter District in 1801.

1790 Federal Census Images

Clarendon County Census Records (Created 1855 from Sumter District)

1790 Federal Census Images

1790 Federal Census

1820 Federal Census

1880 Federal Census Images

Colleton County (NEW) (Created 1798 from Charleston District)

1790 Federal Census of the Charleston District, Bartholomew Parish

1850 Federal Census Index

1850 Federal Census Transcription

1860 Census Slave Holders and Surname Matches for African Americans on 1870 Census

Other Records

1775 Revolutionary War Soldiers

1775 Muster Roll

African American Research

Colleton (OLD) (Created 1682 but discontinued 1769.  Extinct County.)

NOTE:  Records for Old Colleton County are on file in Charleston.

Other Records

1731 Jurors List

1760 Tax Records