Local History and Genealogy Collection


The South Carolina Collection contains unique and rare genealogy and local history materials from Anderson County and surrounding areas dating back to the Revolutionary War. Staff at the Reference Desk can help you explore Anderson County’s robust collections of family histories; local histories; censuses, probate, deed, court, tax, and cemetery records; military rosters; periodicals; genealogical guides; and other reference works.

Genealogy and Local History Resource Links

Beginning your genealogy research

South Carolina Collection FAQ

Research at the Library

  • The collection is primarily for research at the Anderson Main Library.
  • No materials are available for Interlibrary Loan.
  • Microfilm readers are available; printouts are 10 cents per page.
  • Staff is happy to help patrons locate materials, make research suggestions, and aid in the use of the collection’s materials, but cannot do genealogical research for patrons.
  • Schedule one-on-one help for getting started with your family history or local history research by using our Book-A-Librarian service.

Remote record requests

  • We prefer all genealogy questions be submitted in writing, whether by mail or email, rather than by telephone. This reduces the possibility of error in orally transcribing names, dates, and places and allows staff to devote their entire attention to a question.
  • Staff will respond to mail or email requests that require checking specific document indexes for a specific name (for obituary requests, see below).
  • Examples of document indexes include but are not limited to land records/grants, marriage records, and cemetery surveys.
  • If mailing your request, please include your phone number.
  • Staff are unable to do in-depth research or make extensive numbers of copies.
  • The fee for each inquiry is $5.00 plus copy and mailing costs if requests are physically mailed.
  • Staff can email documents for a flat $5.00 research fee per request. Please provide an email address.
  • Copy fees are 10 cents per page for black and white and/or 50 cents a page for color
  • Mailing fees are $2.00 for the first 10 pages and 25 cents for each additional 5 pages or fraction thereof.
  • After staff completes research you will be contacted and told of the total charge.
  • Make checks payable to Anderson County Library. Email requests to research@andersonlibrary.org. Mail requests to:

South Carolina Collection Department
Anderson County Library
300 N. McDuffie St.
Anderson, SC 29621

Obituary requests

  • Search the Local Obituary Index or search the Department of Health and Environmental Control Death Index.
  • For copies of obituaries, email or mail your request.
  • The fee for each inquiry is $5.00 plus copy and mailing costs if requests are physically mailed.
  • Staff can email documents for a flat $5.00 research fee per request. Please provide an email address.
  • Copy fees are 10 cents per page for black and white and/or 50 cents a page for color.
  • Mailing fees are $2.00 for the first 10 pages and 25 cents for each additional 5 pages or fraction thereof.
  • You must submit at least a month and year for the death date.
  • Due to staffing limitations, we cannot copy more than five (5) obituaries per request.
  • Please do not send a second request while you have a request pending.
  • Allow two to three weeks for a reply.
  • Make checks payable to Anderson County Library. Email requests to research@andersonlibrary.org.
  • Mail requests to:

South Carolina Collection Department
Anderson County Library
300 N. McDuffie St.
Anderson, SC 29621

For more information, email the South Carolina Collection staff or call (864) 260-4500 x130.