“The South Carolina Digital Library provides free access to historic materials, such as photographs, manuscripts, journals, books, oral histories, objects, etc. illustrating the history and culture of South Carolina from over 40 cultural heritage institutions across the state. Over 200,000 items have been added so far.”

Free Charleston County South Carolina genealogy collections online include:

1938 Tornado Photograph Collection “On September 29, 1938, five tornadoes swept through the South Carolina Lowcountry, two of which ravaged parts of downtown Charleston, causing several fatalities and injuries and two million dollars in damages. The tornadoes damaged or destroyed almost everything in its path, particularly on Market Street, Broad Street near Church Street, and State Street.”
Albert Simons Papers, 1908-1977 “Sketches of buildings and architectural features in Europe, Maryland, Turkey, Italy, Greece, France, South Carolina, and Spain, by Charleston architect Albert Simons. Also included are sketches during his military service in Europe during World War I. The images depict buildings of France, and soldiers and civilians of many nationalities.”
Alexander Glennie Journal, 1831-1859 “Journal kept by Alexander Glennie concerning his activities as rector of All Saints (Episcopal) Church, Waccamaw, South Carolina. Includes a list of plantation chapels (Woodbourne, Laurel Hill, Brookgreen, Oaks, Litchfield, Waverly, Midway, True Blue, Hagley, Fairfield, Sandy Knoll, Cedar Grove, and Mount Arena); the constitution (1832) and minutes (1832-1838) of All Saints Sunday School …”
Anita Pollitzer Family Papers “The Anita Pollitzer Family Papers is comprised of documents and photographs gathered by multiple members of the Pollitzer family. The collection contains correspondence, funeral programs, an issue of The Jewish Women Quarterly, Gustave M. Pollitzer’s prayer book in  the original Yiddish, marriage and birth certificates, tickets to events, and family photographs.”
Avery Research Center Oral History Collection “The Avery Research Center houses a variety of oral history interviews, largely documenting African American experiences in the Lowcountry. Oral history projects include the Avery Normal Institute documentation effort and the Sea Island Preservation Initiative.”
Barnwell Family Papers “This collection consists mostly of the correspondence, with some related materials, of the Barnwell family of Beaufort and lowcounty South Carolina. Topics covered by various family members include the solace of religion; ministering in various Episcopal Churches in South Carolina (1830s-1860s); temperance; conflict and disagreement (1830s-1860s) with the Roman Catholic Church and Father John Fielding’s …”
Beulah Glover Photograph Collection “In about 1937 Miss Beulah Glover (17 Aug. 1887 – 4 Jan. 1991) opened a photography studio in Walterboro, S.C. Being also an historian, Miss Glover shot many historical scenes in the Lowcountry. She converted some of these images to postcards and sold them in her studio, Foto-Nook. She also used images to illustrate her …”
Broadsides from the Colonial Era to the Present “Broadsides is a virtual collection of posters from many different collections at the South Caroliniana Library.”
Burton L. Padoll Papers, 1957-2009 “Sermons, addresses, photographs, publications, and other papers of Burton L. Padoll, rabbi and civil rights activist. The bulk of the collection consists of Padoll’s typed and handwritten sermons and addresses from his various rabbinates, including at Charleston’s Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim. Topics include the Sabbath and High Holy Days celebrations as well as civil rights …”
C. Wayne Weart Apothecary Trade Cards, 1870-1920
Family Bible Records “This collection contains Bible records for a number of South Carolina families. They date from the late 1700s to the late 1900s. The Bible records contain information on births, marriages, deaths, and other notable events that occurred within the families.”
C. Wayne Weart Pharmacy History Collection “The C. Wayne Weart Pharmacy History Collection features photographs of show globes, also known as carboys, as well as late-19th and early-20th century pharmacy catalogs and apothecary trade cards. These items are from the private collection of Dr. C. Wayne Weart, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the MUSC College of Pharmacy.”
Calvin Shedd Papers, 1862-1864 “Forty-four letters, 1862-1863, of Union soldier Calvin Shedd, Co. A, Seventh New Hampshire Regiment, are written primarily from locations in coastal South Carolina and addressed to his wife, S. Augusta Shedd, at Enfield, N.H., and South Reading, Mass. Shedd, a first sergeant, later second lieutenant, writes intelligently and with great detail, describing events, people, and …”
Charles Fraser Book of Precedents, 1800-1819 “Charles Fraser (1782-1860) was a lifelong resident of Charleston, South Carolina and a renowned artist known primarily for his miniatures of fellow Charlestonians. Starting in 1798, before delving full time into his art, Fraser studied law under John Julius Pringle, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney and others, and was admitted to the bar in 1806. This Book of Precedents was apparently written by Fraser as a reference work for his legal studies. Compiled mostly from 1800 -1807, the book contains copies of writs, pleas and judgments and includes cases adjudicated from 1736-1819, almost all of which were heard in Charleston district courts. “Part First” contains writs and decisions. “Part Second” contains pleas, judgments and executions.”
Charles Henry Meltzer Papers, 1839-1940 “This collection is comprised of a collection of letters and postcards between Charles Henry Meltzer and notable names of the musical community such as, Cécile Chaminade, Gustave Charpentier, Alphonse Daudet, and George Gershwin. Included in the collection is an autographed photo postcard of Cécile Chaminade.”
Charles N. Bayless Photos of Charleston “A collection of images of buildings in downtown Charleston, taken between 1979 and 1988 as part of a photographic project funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.”
Charles Stuart Vedder Papers, 1848-1912 “The papers of the Rev. Charles Stuart Vedder (1826–1917) consist primarily of letters as well as diaries spanning a period of over sixty years. Vedder moved from Schenectady, New York, to Columbia, South Carolina, to study at Columbia Theological Seminary. He was called upon to become pastor of the Summerville Presbyterian Church in June 1861.”
Charleston and Savannah Railroad Records “The main line of the Charleston and Savannah Railroad Company, which began operations in 1861, ran between Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia, with service to other locations south and west of Charleston. In January 1867 under pressure from the bondholders, the Board of Directors agreed to transfer property rights and privileges of the Charleston …”
Charleston City Directories “Very likely the earliest known printing of a directory of any American city or town, the first directory of Charleston was published as the American Revolutionary War was drawing to a close.  It appeared in the South Carolina and Georgia Almanack for the Year of Our Lord 1782 by John Tobler under the caption The …”
Charleston Earthquake, 1886 “On August 31, 1886, Charleston and surrounding towns suffered extensive damage from the largest earthquake to ever hit the southeast. The photographs in this collection show the aftermath of the earthquake shortly after it occurred. George LaGrange Cook, a prominent Charleston photographer created the series “Cook’s Earthquake Views of Charleston and Vicinity” which featured a …”
Charleston Firefighters Rosters, 1862-1864 “The collection consists of sixteen oversize sheets listing the free men of color who comprised various fire companies in the city of Charleston in the years 1863 and 1864. Nine different companies are included – Engine companies numbers 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 as well as a Hook and Ladder Company.”
Charleston in 1883 “In 1883, Arthur Mazyck published the book, “Charleston South Carolina in 1883 : with heliotypes of the principle objects of interest in and around the city and historical and descriptive notices,” which contained images of Charleston buildings and sights. The images are unique, because only three years later, Charleston was devastated by a major earthquake, …”
Charleston Museum Civil War Photographs “These images are from the Charleston Museum’s collection of civil war photographs and are primarily stereographs.”
Charleston Museum Collection “This collection highlights some of the best of the Charleston Museum Archives. Currently featured is the Charleston Signal Book. The Signal Book was kept by Union Officer Ensign LaRue P Adams during the Siege of Charleston between August and September of 1863.”
Charleston Museum Earthquake Photographs “This collection contains earthquake photographs held by the Charleston Museum, America’s first museum. Currently the collection features 204 photographs documenting the damage inflicted on Charleston by the earthquake of August 31, 1886. Primarily professional photographs, these images were sold as souvenirs of the devastating quake.”
Charleston Museum Fort Photographs “These images are from the collection of photographs relating to Charleston area forts, specifically Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie and Fort Johnson.”
Charleston Museum Illustrated Newspapers Collection “These images are from the collection of illustrated newspapers, primarily Harper’s Weekly and Frank Leslie’s, housed in the archives at the Charleston Museum.”
Charleston Naval Shipyard Photographs “This collection features hundreds of photographs of ships built or repaired at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, primarily during the World War II years.”
Charleston Slave Passes “A collection of slave passes, some found in a Book of Common Prayer donated to the College of Charleston.”
Civil War Era Maps from Fort Sumter National Monument “Collection of printed and hand-drawn maps of Charleston Harbor and Fort Wagner, South Carolina and nearby areas of North Carolina and Georgia. Of particular interest are the drawings depicting batteries and approaches on Morris Island during the Siege of Charleston, 1863.”
College of Charleston Board of Trustees Minutes “This collection consists of typed College of Charleston board meeting minutes from 1791 to 2007.”
College of Charleston Buildings and Grounds Photograph Collection “The collection contains photographs of the College of Charleston campus throughout the years. Photographs include the exteriors and interiors of buildings on the grounds. Also included in the collection are photographs chronicling the construction of campus structures.”
College of Charleston Oral Histories “The College of Charleston Oral Histories collection seeks to preserve the history and culture of the South Carolina lowcountry through recorded interviews with area residents. Currently highlighted are interviews with production managers, directors, performers and behind-the-scenes contributors from Spoleto Festival, USA in Charleston, SC.”
College of Charleston Pamphlets “The College of Charleston Pamphlets collection is a growing collection of pamphlets digitized from the College of Charleston archive. The pamphlets originate from a selection of collections, including the Thomas Smith Grimke pamphlet collection.”
College of Charleston Publications “This collection contains periodical publications by the College of Charleston and organizations within the College. Currently featured is the triannual College of Charleston Magazine, and the Carolina Lowcountry & Atlantic World Connections newsletter, published twice a year by CLAW.”
Color Slides from Fort Sumter National Historical Monument “Wide array of 35mm color slides, ranging from grounds of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Monument to images of illustrations and printed material.”
Damage of Fort Sumter “Images of the damage sustained to Fort Sumter during bombardment. These images were given as gifts to attendees of the ceremonies of restoring the National Flag by Gen. Anderson on the Ramparts of the Fort on the 14th April 1865.”
David Wyatt Aiken Papers, 1849 – 1976 “This collection contains letters and other materials surrounding the life of five-term U.S. congressman David Wyatt Aiken, who biographers have styled “South Carolina’s Militant Agrarian.” Born in 1828 in Winnsboro (Fairfield County, S.C.), Aiken served as a colonel in the Confederate Army and later went on to serve in the S.C. House of Representatives.”
Dientje Krant Kalisky Adkins Photographs, 1938-1996 “The Dientje Krant Kalisky Adkins Photographs is a collection of, mostly black and white, family photographs. The most photographed subjects include Dientje Krant, Gabriel DeLeeuw, and Roosje Krant. The last few photographs are color photos from 1950, 1967, and 1996, the latter of the entire family on Dientje’s parents 60th wedding anniversary in Charleston, South Carolina.”
Drayton Papers, 1701-2004 “This collection contains diaries, travelogues, ledgers, correspondence, inventories, plats, sketches, architectural drawings of Charles Drayton III and others, relating mainly to affairs at Drayton Hall and other family plantations. Collection also includes artwork, reflections on eighteenth century literature, deeds, newspaper clippings and photographs.”
Esau Jenkins Papers, 1963-2003 “Esau Jenkins (1910-1972) was born and raised on Johns Island, South Carolina. With very little formal education, he became a businessman and civil rights leader. Jenkins founded the Progressive Club in 1948, which encouraged local African Americans to register to vote, through the aid of Citizenship Schools, a topic he was educated in by his …”
Forgotten Books “Public domain books printed in the 16th-19th centuries including numerous titles written by Thomas Jefferson and Early English books. Browse by Topic Jeffersonian Americana Library of English Literature”
Forward Together, South Carolina in World War I “Forward Together is a multiple-venue project, developed by a consortium of historical and educational institutions, that focuses on the participation of South Carolina during World War I and its effects on the state.”
Fulbright-Hays Trip Collection “In 2008, Curtis J. Franks travelled to West Africa as a participant in the Fulbright-Hays program under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Education to explore historical and cultural connections between people of African descent in the Lowcountry and Africans in the Mano River Region (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Ivory Coast), where …”
George LaGrange Cook Photograph Collection “This collection of glass plate negatives of Charleston and Summerville was made by George LaGrange Cook in the 1880s and early 1890s. The son of the famous Civil War photographer, George Smith Cook, LaGrange learned the art of photography from his father. He lived in Charleston and then Summerville before leaving around 1892 to join …
George W. Johnson Photographs “George W. Johnson took photographs of Charleston buildings and people at the turn of the 20th century. His collection also includes a number of photographs of the 1901-1902 South Carolina Inter-state and West Indian Exhibition.”
Henry William Ravenel, Plants and Planter “Correspondences between Henry William Ravenel and fellow botanist, family, and others. 1844-1887”
Heyward Album “This Civil War-era photograph album contains cartes-de-visite photographs of members of the S. C. Secession Convention, Confederate and U.S. Governments, officers of the Confederate and U.S. Armies, S.C. governors, and officers of the South Carolina Volunteers 1st Regiment of Rifles.”
Historical Commission of South Carolina Pamphlets “Topics covered include: agriculture, Civil War regimental histories, education and schools, geology, industry, medicine, Native American tribes, nature, nullification, the Revolutionary War, the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) …”
Historic Charleston Foundation Monographs and Photographs “Various monographs and photographs from the Margaretta Childs Archives at Historic Charleston Foundation. The focus of the collection items is primarily Charleston historic buildings, streets, landmarks, and sites. The collection also includes publications related to tourism in Charleston (1879-1948), the Charleston Earthquake of 1886, and the South Carolina Inter-State and West Indian Exposition of 1901-1902.”
Historic Charleston Foundation Tours of Homes “One of the first fundraising programs developed by Historic Charleston Foundation after its incorporation in 1947 was its annual spring tours of historic houses, during which trained “hostesses” would guide visitors through several private homes in Charleston’s historic district. In addition to raising revenue to support Historic Charleston Foundation’s preservation efforts, the tours performed an …”
Holloway Family Scrapbook, 1806-1974 “This scrapbook, compiled by James H. Holloway (1849-1913), contains legal documents, personal and business correspondence, receipts, ephemera, clippings and photographs pertaining to the Holloway family, a prominent free family of color in Charleston, SC. Legal documents include deeds (1806, 1821, 1871), a conveyance (1811), slave bills of sale including one for the slave “Betty” …”
Horace Gilbert Smithy, Jr., M.D. Papers “The Horace Gilbert Smithy, Jr., M.D. Papers, 1946-1948, document Dr. Smithy’s research and publications on the groundbreaking surgical treatment (valvulotomy) he developed for scar tissue of the aortic valve. Dr. Smithy received national acclaim for this procedure, and the instrument used in the surgery, known as the valvulotome, was fabricated at MUSC.”
Hurricane Hugo Oral History Project, 2009
Isaiah Bennett Papers, ca. 1932-2002 “Isaiah Bennett (1926-2002) served as a union representative for tobacco workers at the American Tobacco Company’s “Cigar Factory” and as a leader and negotiator of the Charleston Hospital Workers’ Strike of 1969.”
James Glen Papers, 1738-1777 “The papers of colonial governor James Glen (1701-1777), who served as Governor of South Carolina from 1738 to 1756, include official government documents, papers concerning relations with Native American Indians, business papers relating to his ownership of a South Carolina rice plantation, and correspondence between Glen and South Carolina planter, John Drayton (1713-1779).”
James W. Colbert, Jr., MD, Oral History Project, 2009 “James W. Colbert, Jr., MD, joined the Medical University of South Carolina as its first Vice President for Academic Affairs on February 1, 1969. He served as Vice President until his death on September 11, 1974. This series of interviews documents the memories of Dr. Colbert’s family and colleagues about his life and his tenure …”
Jewish Heritage Collection – Personal Papers “This collection is comprised of born-digital and digitized material from individual and family collections from the Jewish Heritage Collection. Most of these digital objects are part of larger manuscript collections held in the College of Charleston’s Special Collections Department. Finding aids for these collections can be located by searching the College of Charleston online catalog.”
Jewish Heritage Collection Oral Histories “These interviews with members of Charleston’s Jewish community cover various topics including family history, life in Charleston in the mid-20th century, anti-Semitism, and experiences during World War II and the Holocaust. Both audio recordings and typed transcripts are available.”
Joe Engel Papers, 1938-2006 “The Joe Engel Papers collection is a composition of black and white photographs taken of the Engel family in their hometown of Zakroczym, Poland before the war and one month after liberation. Also in the collection are photographs of Joe Engel at the displaced persons camp of Zeilsheim and after his relocation to Charleston, South Carolina.”
Johannah Gold Collection “The Johannah Gold collection contains objects from Mrs. Gold’s family relating to the history of farming in the Lowcountry.”
John C. Calhoun Letters, 1824-1850 “In this collection are 23 letters written by John Caldwell Calhoun between the years 1824 and 1850. The majority of these letters were written during Calhoun’s second term as South Carolina’s U.S. Senator. Calhoun divulges his political concerns with confidant Henry Workman Conner, who at the time was the president of the Bank of Charleston, …”
John R. Beaty Letters “The John R. Beaty Letters is a collection of thirteen letters dated from August 18, 1860 to February 8, 1862 and four undated letters written in that same time period. Beaty was born in Conwayborough (Conway), South Carolina on August 16, 1827 and died in February, 1865. The first three letters, written in August 1860 …”
Joseph and Rachel Coards Photography Collection “The Coards Studio was a photography studio owned and operated by Joseph and Rachel Coards in Charleston, South Carolina. Coards photographed African American families and individuals in the studio and various events and groups outside of the studio, such as graduations, weddings, and other ceremonies.”
Kaminski-Prevost Collection “The Kaminski-Prevost Collection features three scrapbooks from the Kaminski family and featuring scenes from Georgetown, Pawleys Island, The Citadel, and other South Carolina locations. Many of the photos feature Edwin Washington Kaminski (1868-1948), son of Georgetown businessman, Heiman Kaminski (1839-1923).”
Kenneth Frederick Marsh Photograph Collection “Many of the over 700 photographs by Kenneth Frederick Marsh (d. 1968) available in this collection have not been published. Some were used to illustrate books by photographer Marsh and his wife, Blanche Marsh. The photographs and negatives depict historic and modern homes, public buildings, textile mills, churches, and scenes of South Carolina and Flat …”
Leah Greenberg Postcard Collection “The Leah Greenberg Postcard Collection is comprised of over 900 postcards of historic houses, parks, forts, landmarks and more in and around Charleston, South Carolina. Postcards available for viewing online depict houses on South Battery and other buildings in downtown Charleston, Magnolia Cemetery, Cypress Gardens, Hampton Park, and various wrought iron gates.”
Lincoln Farm Association South Carolina Member Cards “The Lincoln Farm Association Member Cards is a collection of over 140,000 individual and organization names who donated to build the memorial at the farmstead of Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace, which later came to be the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. In 1905, the farmstead where Lincoln was born, just outside of Hodgenville, Kentucky, …”
Lowcountry Tourism “This collection includes an illustrated pamphlet that gives a brief history of the Dock Street Theatre in Charleston, South Carolina and provides rich physical details about the building, including photographs, floor plans and cross sections. Another pamphlet highlights some of Charleston’s well known attractions.”
Lynch Family Letters, 1858-1866 “From the Catholic Diocese of Charleston Archives comes this collection of correspondence to Bishop Patrick N. Lynch, Bishop of Charleston from 1858-1882. Spanning the years 1858-1866, theses letters to the Bishop from his family touch on a variety of topics including Catholicism and convent life, the Civil War and slavery, and Southern life in the …”
Mills Atlas of the State of South Carolina “The 1825 publication of Robert Mills’ Atlas of the State of South Carolina marked an American cartographic first. This volume is the first systematic atlas of any state in the union.”
Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches in South Carolina, 1785-1920 “This digital collection from the USC’s South Caroliniana Library comprises nearly 400 volumes of Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches in South Carolina between 1785 and 1920.”
McLeod Plantation Cemetery Collection “The McLeod Plantation Cemetery Collection contains beads found in 1996 during the construction of a fire station in James Island, South Carolina. Construction of the fire station, which was to be located between Folly Road, Country Club Drive, and Wappoo Creek, was aborted when workers unearthed unmarked graves.”
Medical University of South Carolina Yearbooks “The Medical University of South Carolina Yearbooks collection contains the School of Nursing’s Tres Anni (1948-1966) and the Medical College’s Caducean (1967-1970) annuals. The collection also contains a history of the School of Nursing, titled, “The School of Nursing of the Medical College of South Carolina: its story”, and written by Ruth Chamberlin, former Dean …”
MUSC Collection of 1886 Charleston Earthquake Photographs
MUSC College of Graduate Studies Class Photos
MUSC College of Health Professions Class Photos
MUSC College of Medicine Class Photos
MUSC College of Pharmacy Class Photos
Negro Travelers’ Greenbook, 1956 “The Negro Travelers’ Green Book was a travel guide series published from 1936 to 1964 by Victor H. Green. It was intended to provide African American motorists and tourists with the information necessary to board, dine, and sightsee comfortably and safely during the era of segregation.”
Papers of the Cox and Chesnut Families, 1792-1858 “Many of the letters were written between 1792 and 1815 to Mary Cox Chesnut (1775-1864) of Camden, South Carolina, by her mother, Esther Bowes Cox (1740-1814)…”
Papers of the Smith and Wells Families, 1856-1914 “This collection from the South Caroliniana Library consists primarily of the Civil War letters of Edward Laight Wells, discussing the mood in Charleston during the secession crisis in 1860, fighting with the Hampton’s Legion 1864-1865, and the immediate aftermath of the war.”
Paul Hamilton Papers “This small collection of letters written by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton (1762-1816) documents concerns and developments during the months preceding the War of 1812.”
Personal Photographs of Sergeant Jesse Herring Jr. during WWII on Fort Moultrie, South Carolina
Philip Simmons Collection “hilip Simmons (1912-2009) was an African American blacksmith and artisan specializing in the craft of ironwork in Charleston, South Carolina.”
Photographic Record of the Cooper River Bridge “The collection consists of two scrapbooks recording the construction of the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. Completed in 1929, the bridge spanned to Cooper River Bridge to connect Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, S.C.”
Pincus Kolender Papers, circa 1915-1996 “The Pincus Kolender Papers consists of mostly black and white photographs of family members in Poland before World War II and in Germany after the war. Also included are photographs from Pincus’ marriage to Renee in Charleston, South Carolina, a group of survivors taken in Tel Aviv, Israel in the 1960s, and photographs of Pincus returning …”
Reminiscences of the Sixties “Charles Crosland (1845-1918), who served in the 19th South Carolina Cavalry Battalion, with Company H of the Confederate Army’s Hampton Legion, recounts his combat experiences, his father’s death, and the destruction of the Crosland family plantation in Bennetsville. He also references the sinking of the USS Housatonic by the Confederate submarine, the H.L. Hunley.”
Robert Gilmor Travel Account, 1806-07 “This travel journal was originally conceived of as a way to assist the friends of Baltimore merchant Robert Gilmor in their future travels, with information about mileage and taverns along various routes. The narrative follows Gilmor’s journey from Maryland to South Carolina, with locations mentioned along the way including Richmond, Va., Raleigh, N.C., and Camden …”
Roper Hospital Digital Collections “In 1856 the first Roper Hospital building, located adjacent to the Medical College of South Carolina building on Queen Street in Charleston, opened to patients.”
Samuel Lord Hyde Photographs “Samuel Hyde was a photographer and amateur historian who lived in Charleston and in Summerville, S.C. He was the “chief cemetery investigator” for the South Carolina Public Service Authority during the creation of Lake Moultrie.”
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of South Carolina “Showing cities, farms, forests, reservoirs, coastlines, and other features across the state, the indexes provide a visual overview of each project’s collection of individual aerial photographs”
Septima P. Clark Papers, ca. 1910-ca. 1990 “Septima Poinsette Clark was born in Charleston, S.C. on 3 May 1898, the daughter of Peter Poinsette, who grew up a slave on the plantation of Joel Roberts Poinsett (with conflicting data saying …”
Sketch of Company K, 23rd South Carolina Volunteers “Andrews, with the assistance of some of his fellow soldiers, recalls the Company’s combat experiences during the second Battle of Bull Run, Virginia (1862; also called Second Manassas) and the siege of Petersburg, Virginia (1864-1865), as well as his own capture and imprisonment at Point Lookout Prison Camp for Confederates in Maryland following the Battle …”
South Carolina Aerial Photograph Indexes, 1937-1989 “Spanning five decades, the University of South Carolina’s collection of aerial photograph indexes consists primarily of projects commissioned by the United States Department of Agriculture. Showing cities, farms, forests, reservoirs, coastlines, and other features across the state, the indexes provide a visual overview of each project’s collection of individual aerial photographs…”
South Carolina and the Civil War
South Carolina Book Collection
South Carolina Children’s Library Services Collection “The South Carolina State Library and the South Carolina Digital Library present the South Carolina Children’s Library Services Collection, a collection of historical and contemporary images from the 1940s-2000s relating to library services for children. The photographs are from the archives of the South Carolina State Library and many were taken by State Library field…”
South Carolina Department of Transportation County Road Maps “This is a collection of over 700 South Carolina county road maps from the 1930s to the 1990s, courtesy of the University of South Carolina Thomas Cooper Map Collection.”
South Carolina Federal Documents Collection “The South Carolina State Library maintains a print collection of federal documents as a member of the Federal Depository Library Program. Many of these documents are about South Carolina or include topics of regional interest.”
South Carolina Public Library History, 1930-1945 “The South Carolina Public Library History, 1930-1945 collection consists of photographs and documents from the archives of the SC State Library. These digital images highlight public libraries, bookmobiles, librarians, and patrons from around the state. Many photographs and documents relate to the federal Works Project Administration (WPA) Library Project in South Carolina, which provided statewide library services…”
South Carolina Library Buildings Collection
South Carolina Historical Society Oral Histories “Interviews with Charlestonians of various backgrounds, recorded in the 1970s and 1980s. The subjects talk about growing up in Charleston and cover such topics as preservation, race relations, the Exposition of 1901, and Charleston’s involvement in World War I and World War II.”
South Carolina Hospital Postcards “The South Carolina Hospital Postcard collection includes postcards representing hospitals throughout South Carolina. The postcards provide a visual record for hospitals that may no longer exist or have changed location, and reflect the ways that hospital architecture has changed over time.”
South Carolina Medical Association Oral History Collection “The South Carolina Medical Association oral history collection consists of oral history interviews of 24 past presidents of the South Carolina Medical Association (SCMA). The former presidents discuss their educational backgrounds, careers in medicine, and the major issues affecting the field of medicine and SCMA during their tenures as president.”
South Carolina in Postcards “This collection contains picture postcards from the early part of the twentieth century that depict scenes across South Carolina. Items in this collection are held by the Greenville County Library System’s South Carolina Room.”
South Carolina School Directories “Since 1911 the South Carolina State Department of Education has published a yearly directory of schools in the state.”
South Carolina Railroads Photograph Collection “The South Caroliniana Library has been collecting photographs of train stations, depots, rail yards, engines, and rolling stock for many years. The images come in as single items, as part of other collections, or as collections of their own. There are also photographs of railways used by the mining and lumber industries.”
South Carolina State Documents Depository Collection “These publications provide citizens with crucial information about state government, including statistics, annual accountability reports, and data on a wide variety of topics related to the state.”
South Caroliniana Library Map Collection
South Carolinians at Work “The organizations include Charleston Iron Works, American Federation of Musicians Local 502, Mechanics’ Union No. 1, Charleston Fire Department, and the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union of America.”
South Santee Plantations Scrapbook Collection “This collection of photographs from the early twentieth century shows life on two South Santee River plantations: Hampton and the Wedge. Hampton Plantation was owned by the Rutledge family, including Archibald Rutledge, Poet Laureate of South Carolina. The Wedge plantation was built by William Lucas in 1826, and remained in the Lucas family until 1929 …”
Stereographic Views of South Carolina “This group of 74 stereographs contains images of the damage to Charleston during the Civil War, along with images of Folly and Port Royal Islands. Forts, churches, hospitals and headquarters come to life in these photographs taken by war photographers such as Samuel A. Cooley and John P. Soule.”
The Citadel and the American Civil War “As a Southern military college, The Citadel and its cadets were integrally involved in the events of the American Civil War. This collection includes first-person accounts of the Civil War period, in addition to a signed copy of the U.S. War Department orders to raise the flag at Fort Sumter at the conclusion of the …”
The Citadel Oral History Program “The Citadel Oral History Program seeks to deepen understanding of the Lowcountry’s rich history and culture through the gathering and presentation of recorded memories from area residents. This collection currently houses a sample of interviews from the following series: Charleston and the Long Civil Rights Movement, Working Charleston, Women in World War II; …”
The Citadel Photograph Collection “A growing collection of photographs from The Citadel. Current photographs include interviewees of the The Citadel’s Oral History Program taken by Citadel cadets.”
The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina, 1669 “One of a number of versions, the 1669 Fundamental Constitutions was a theoretical instrument of rule. These documents, attributed to the young philosopher John Locke, provided for a feudal system in the new colony, with colonial nobility carrying hereditary titles such as “cacique” and “landgrave,” and the eight proprietors forming the highest level of rule.”
The Hospital Herald Collection, 1899-1900 “The official publication of the Association of Colored Physicians of South Carolina, the Hospital Herald was published from 1899-1900. Edited by A.C. McClennan, MD, surgeon in charge of the Colored Hospital and Training School for Nurses, the Hospital Herald was a monthly journal “devoted to hospital work, nurse training, domestic and public hygiene.” “
The James Poyas Daybook “This collection contains images from the daybook of James Poyas, a Charleston merchant. Entries begin in February 1760 and end in April of 1765. James Poyas was born in 1736 to Jean Louis (anglicized to John Lewis) Poyas and Marie Jourdan. He married Elizabeth Portall in 1755, and they had one child, a daughter, Elizabeth.”
Thomas J. Tobias papers, 1790-1970 “The Thomas J. Tobias Papers contain six diaries written by three members of the same family, in the mid-19th century. The Joseph Lyons diary (1833-1834), written when he was between the ages of 19-21, contains Lyons’ ruminations on his future career, his beliefs on state’s rights, some poetry, and his thoughts on his Jewish faith.”

Topographical Maps of South Carolina, 1888-1975

U.S. Military in Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, 1900-1945 “Images of military use of Fort Moultrie, South Carolina mostly during World War I and World War II.”

Walter Pantovic Artifact Collection “Historically known as “The Walter Pantovic Slavery Collection,” these artifacts span the African American experience from slavery to the Civil Rights era to the rise of African Americans in popular culture. Walter Pantovic was born in Yugoslavia in 1965 and immigrated to the United States at the age of two. He became interested in African-American …”

Ware Family Manuscripts “Selected manuscripts from The Ware Family Collection housed in the Furman University Special Collections and Archives. The materials primarily represent Thomas Edwin Ware’s business interests in the 19th century. The collection includes land grants, plats, liens, deeds, receipts, and slave documents. Learn more about The Ware Family Collection.”

Waring Historical Library Inaugural Theses “…The Waring Library has scanned and transcribed 133 of its inaugural medical theses, for the period of 1825-1829.”

Waring Historical Library Manuscript Collections “The Waring Historical Library Manuscript collection consists of the first group of original documents transferred from the Medical Society of South Carolina to the Medical College of the State of South Carolina Library in 1933.”

Wilkinson-Keith Family Papers “The Wilkinson-Keith Family Papers consist of correspondence and other documents among the Wilkinson, Keith, Siegling, Haskell, and Marshall families and their friends dating from 1785 to 1920. The bulk of the correspondence dates from 1820 to 1890, a large portion of which chronicles Willis Keith’s experiences as a Confederate soldier in 1862-1863.”

William Ancrum Papers, 1757-1789 “Formerly owned by wealthy Charleston merchant William Ancrum (ca. 1722-1808), this single volume (171 pages, bound in vellum) contains both a letter book and financial accounts that reflect the financial impact of the American Revolution on this South Carolina businessman and planter.”

William Gilmore Simms Digital Edition “Welcome to one of the largest single author collections on the web, the William Gilmore Simms Digital Edition. Writing from Charleston and Barnwell District, South Carolina, as well as on trips across the South and to the North, he did more than anyone to frame white southern self-identity, nationalism, and historical consciousness.”

William Henry Jackson Photochrom Collection, 1898-1905 “William Henry Jackson, in partnership with the Detroit Photographic Company, took black and white photographs that were reproduced into color photochroms for sale as postcards or prints. The majority of the images in this collection are landscapes of Colorado, Montana and New York State, particularly in Yellowstone National Park and the Adirondack region.”

William Henry Johnson Scrapbook “This scrapbook by William Henry Johnson is part of a collection of three, which document the history of a large array of Lowcountry plantations and places of interest. In this book – compiled, 1928-1932 – Johnson focuses on the Cooper River region and in the Parishes of St Stephen, St James Goose Creek, St James …”

William Tennent III, Journal and Album, 1744-1777 “The journal covers Tennent’s trek though the S.C. back-country, at times in the company of William Henry Drayton and Rev. Oliver Hart in an effort to persuade Loyalist Tories to join the Patriot cause.”

Willy Adler Papers, 1913-1938, 1982-2010 “The Willy Adler Papers contain three black and white photographs of Willy Adler’s parents (1920), 2nd grade class (1927), and family (1936).”

WPA Federal Writers Project Materials on African American Life in South Carolina

WPA Photograph Collection

Zionist Organization of America Records – Charleston Chapter “This organization consisted of Jewish residents of Charleston who supported the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The organization is known alternately in the minutes as Bnei Zion and the Charleston Zionist Society. The records cover the meetings held from 1917 through the 1940s, and document fundraising efforts on behalf of both international Zionist …”

Broadsides from the Colonial Era to the Present “Broadsides is a virtual collection of posters from many different collections at the South Caroliniana Library.”

Family Bible Records “This collection contains Bible records for a number of South Carolina families. They date from the late 1700s to the late 1900s. The Bible records contain information on births, marriages, deaths, and other notable events that occurred within the families.”

Charles N. Bayless Photos of Charleston “A collection of images of buildings in downtown Charleston, taken between 1979 and 1988 as part of a photographic project funded by the National Endowment for the Arts.”

Charleston Museum Civil War Photographs “These images are from the Charleston Museum’s collection of civil war photographs and are primarily stereographs.”

Charleston Museum Collection “This collection highlights some of the best of the Charleston Museum Archives. Currently featured is the Charleston Signal Book. The Signal Book was kept by Union Officer Ensign LaRue P Adams during the Siege of Charleston between August and September of 1863.”

Charleston Museum Fort Photographs “These images are from the collection of photographs relating to Charleston area forts, specifically Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie and Fort Johnson.”

Charleston Museum Illustrated Newspapers Collection “These images are from the collection of illustrated newspapers, primarily Harper’s Weekly and Frank Leslie’s, housed in the archives at the Charleston Museum.”

Charleston Naval Shipyard Photographs “This collection features hundreds of photographs of ships built or repaired at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, primarily during the World War II years.”

Charleston Slave Passes “A collection of slave passes, some found in a Book of Common Prayer donated to the College of Charleston.”

College of Charleston Board of Trustees Minutes “This collection consists of typed College of Charleston board meeting minutes from 1791 to 2007.”

College of Charleston Pamphlets “The College of Charleston Pamphlets collection is a growing collection of pamphlets digitized from the College of Charleston archive. The pamphlets originate from a selection of collections, including the Thomas Smith Grimke pamphlet collection.”

Color Slides from Fort Sumter National Historical Monument “Wide array of 35mm color slides, ranging from grounds of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Monument to images of illustrations and printed material.”

Damage of Fort Sumter “Images of the damage sustained to Fort Sumter during bombardment. These images were given as gifts to attendees of the ceremonies of restoring the National Flag by Gen. Anderson on the Ramparts of the Fort on the 14th April 1865.”

Forgotten Books “Public domain books printed in the 16th-19th centuries including numerous titles written by Thomas Jefferson and Early English books. Browse by Topic Jeffersonian Americana Library of English Literature”

Forward Together, South Carolina in World War I “Forward Together is a multiple-venue project, developed by a consortium of historical and educational institutions, that focuses on the participation of South Carolina during World War I and its effects on the state.”

George W. Johnson Photographs “George W. Johnson took photographs of Charleston buildings and people at the turn of the 20th century. His collection also includes a number of photographs of the 1901-1902 South Carolina Inter-state and West Indian Exhibition.”

Henry William Ravenel, Plants and Planter “Correspondences between Henry William Ravenel and fellow botanist, family, and others. 1844-1887”

Historical Commission of South Carolina Pamphlets “Topics covered include: agriculture, Civil War regimental histories, education and schools, geology, industry, medicine, Native American tribes, nature, nullification, the Revolutionary War, the Reconstruction Era (1865-1877) …”

Isaiah Bennett Papers, ca. 1932-2002 “Isaiah Bennett (1926-2002) served as a union representative for tobacco workers at the American Tobacco Company’s “Cigar Factory” and as a leader and negotiator of the Charleston Hospital Workers’ Strike of 1969.”

Johannah Gold Collection “The Johannah Gold collection contains objects from Mrs. Gold’s family relating to the history of farming in the Lowcountry.”

Mills Atlas of the State of South Carolina “The 1825 publication of Robert Mills’ Atlas of the State of South Carolina marked an American cartographic first. This volume is the first systematic atlas of any state in the union.”

Papers of the Cox and Chesnut Families, 1792-1858 “Many of the letters were written between 1792 and 1815 to Mary Cox Chesnut (1775-1864) of Camden, South Carolina, by her mother, Esther Bowes Cox (1740-1814)…”

Paul Hamilton Papers “This small collection of letters written by U.S. Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton (1762-1816) documents concerns and developments during the months preceding the War of 1812.”

Philip Simmons Collection “hilip Simmons (1912-2009) was an African American blacksmith and artisan specializing in the craft of ironwork in Charleston, South Carolina.”

Photographic Record of the Cooper River Bridge “The collection consists of two scrapbooks recording the construction of the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge. Completed in 1929, the bridge spanned to Cooper River Bridge to connect Charleston and Mt. Pleasant, S.C.”

Roper Hospital Digital Collections “In 1856 the first Roper Hospital building, located adjacent to the Medical College of South Carolina building on Queen Street in Charleston, opened to patients.”

Samuel Lord Hyde Photographs “Samuel Hyde was a photographer and amateur historian who lived in Charleston and in Summerville, S.C. He was the “chief cemetery investigator” for the South Carolina Public Service Authority during the creation of Lake Moultrie.”

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of South Carolina “Showing cities, farms, forests, reservoirs, coastlines, and other features across the state, the indexes provide a visual overview of each project’s collection of individual aerial photographs”

Septima P. Clark Papers, ca. 1910-ca. 1990 “Septima Poinsette Clark was born in Charleston, S.C. on 3 May 1898, the daughter of Peter Poinsette, who grew up a slave on the plantation of Joel Roberts Poinsett (with conflicting data saying …”

South Carolina Department of Transportation County Road Maps “This is a collection of over 700 South Carolina county road maps from the 1930s to the 1990s, courtesy of the University of South Carolina Thomas Cooper Map Collection.”

South Carolina Federal Documents Collection “The South Carolina State Library maintains a print collection of federal documents as a member of the Federal Depository Library Program. Many of these documents are about South Carolina or include topics of regional interest.”

South Carolina in Postcards “This collection contains picture postcards from the early part of the twentieth century that depict scenes across South Carolina. Items in this collection are held by the Greenville County Library System’s South Carolina Room.”

South Carolina School Directories “Since 1911 the South Carolina State Department of Education has published a yearly directory of schools in the state.”

South Carolina State Documents Depository Collection “These publications provide citizens with crucial information about state government, including statistics, annual accountability reports, and data on a wide variety of topics related to the state.”

South Carolinians at Work “The organizations include Charleston Iron Works, American Federation of Musicians Local 502, Mechanics’ Union No. 1, Charleston Fire Department, and the Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers International Union of America.”

The Citadel Photograph Collection “A growing collection of photographs from The Citadel. Current photographs include interviewees of the The Citadel’s Oral History Program taken by Citadel cadets.”

Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply