A Web Directory for
South Carolina Historical Resources
Carrie Volk
Reference Librarian
Winthrop University
June, 2008
The internet resources listed in this directory are intended to direct people interested in learning about the history of South Carolina to informative and accurate online resources. It provides access to overviews of state history, state historical agencies, primary source resources and several subject specific resources. There are numerous other relevant resources available. This directory is designed both as a starting point for people with general questions and for those interested in resources for in-depth research.
Primary Sources | Subject Directories | State Organizations | Special Interests
- Documenting the American South (DocSouth) - (http://docsouth.unc.edu)
Text and materials are primarily obtained from the Southern holdings of the University Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who sponsors this digital resource. DocSouth is described as a “digital publishing initiative,” providing the general public with access to primary resources such as audio files, texts, and images that relate to Southern history, culture, and literature dating from the colonial period up to the early decades of the 20th century. Currently available are seven thematic collections that include diaries, books, artifacts, posters, letters, songs, and oral history interviews. Very organized and easy to use, allowing many access points, from browsing individual collections, authors or subjects, to searching the entire collection by using a Google toolbar provided on each page. It also provides classroom resources and a new additions link. UNCC states its commitment towards the “long-term availability” of the collections and to the support of their online records.
- University of South Carolina Libraries - The South Caroliniana - (http://www.sc.edu/library/socar/)
Provided by the University of South Carolina, and supported by the University of South Caroliniana Committee, is one of several special collections libraries on the university campus. The South Caroliniana Society was created “an effort to halt the exodus of the state's historical resources to out-of-state repositories” and today continues to “assist the Library in its mission to acquire, preserve, and disseminate published and unpublished South Carolina-related material.” The resources are divided into four categories: manuscripts, unpublished, modern political and university archives. These can be searched through the university library’s online catalog. Site is well organized, includes links to specific areas of the catalogue, along with directions to narrow your search to South Caroliniana holdings.
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- SCIway – South Carolina’s Information Highway – History and Genealogy Resources - (http://www.sciway.net/hist)
Provided by SCIway, LLC., a privately funded James Island web information company, whose goals are to “help South Carolinians and people throughout the world find information about South Carolina quickly and easily, and to provide information about South Carolina that's not available elsewhere on the Internet, and in some cases, not even in print.” Site is organized by subject, and includes links to articles within the site on many different history topics (also organized by subject), along with the links to outside resources of many state historical organizations and resources. Has a site index, an “Ask SCIway” link, and is very comprehensive in the information provided, although it does have advertisements on the web pages.
- The SCGen Web Project - (http://sciway3.net/scgenweb/)
Provided by State Coordinator Victoria Proctor, this site is a statewide project that is maintained by many coordinators statewide and works with other state societies and organizations to “promote genealogical and historical research, both on and off the Internet.” Has numerous methods to locate information about county, city, and state history, along with interesting links to maps of “old counties” and their evolution, tax lists, notable citizens, a timeline, and some essay and special research topics such as ethnic research. Many other resources are available on this site; however some time is needed to sort through all the potential resources available.
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- State of South Carolina – Tourism - (http://www.sc.gov/PORTAL/CATEGORY/TRAVEL)
Provided by South Carolina Access Network, this state run web site provides information about South Carolina to the general public. Includes news, government, education, business, health, public safety, environment and tourism information. Under the tourism section are links to information such as state symbols, the state constitution, and a brief state history article. Other unique resources provided are the state constitution and virtual tours of the state house and historic sites such as Brattonsville and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon in Charleston. Very comprehensive site overall, easy to use, provides a site index and links to outside state historic organizations.
- South Carolina State Library - (http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/)
Provided by the South Carolina State Library, the State Library web sites provides users with the Reference Room, which gives resources for specific history and related topics and includes county histories, a list of the state governors, and a list of “historic firsts.” Also includes links to other state history and information organizations, a site index, site search, and links to the state online library catalog, the South Carolina public library directory, and a link to DISCUS, South Carolina’s Virtual Library.
- The South Carolina Historical Society - (http://www.schistory.org/)
Provided by the South Carolina Historical Society, a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to “to collect information respecting every portion of our state, to preserve it, and when deemed advisable, to publish it.” Today it is the largest private repository of materials related to South Carolina history and provides an online catalog to search (four catalogs: manuscripts, books, genealogy and visual images.) Some areas have a higher percentage of materials searchable online than others. Manuscripts make up the largest portion of the collection, and they also house the largest collection of Confederate imprints in the nation.
- South Carolina Department of Archives and History - (http://scdah.sc.gov/)
Provided by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, an independent state agency whose mission is to “preserve and promote the documentary and cultural heritage of the Palmetto State,” and extends to “historic preservation, history education, records management and records conservation. This agency maintains the South Carolina Archives, which consists of a “collection of more than 300 years of historical documents recording the rich and diverse history of the people and government of South Carolina.” Site includes well-organized links directing user to various tools, including virtual tours, “fast facts” about South Carolina, a history of the Department of Archives and History, and includes a site index, and a “How do I? FAQ” link.
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- South Carolina Library History Project - (http://www.libsci.sc.edu/histories)
Provided by the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina, and coordinated by Dr. Robert V. Williams, this site “is an ongoing, collaborative effort of the School of Library and Information Science faculty, its students, and South Carolina librarians to compile and make available the history of every library in the state.” It focuses on encouraging the public’s awareness of the value of the state’s many libraries and their history, and encourages research on them. It provides links to libraries that have been researched around the state, including university and college, private and special, public, and school media centers. Also gives a map by county, within which are lists of the numerous public and school media centers across the state, and oral histories of South Carolina librarians. Provides a link back to main pages under each section, and a very easy to navigate.
- The Official Site of the Friends of the Hunley - (http://www.hunley.org/)
Provided by Friends of the Hunley, Inc., a non-profit organization “dedicated to helping the H.L. Hunley complete her historic journey home” by helping to raise funds towards the recovery, conversation and exhibition of the vessel. Site has brief but very detailed pages on all subjects related to the H.L Hunley, including an overview of submarine history, history of her use in war, the discovery, and subsequent recovery of the vessel. Very easy to navigate, and organized – there is always a link back to your former page provided. Includes related subject links at the end of each article and a printer-friendly option as the site uses graphics and pictures heavily. Also includes classroom resources, ongoing conversation work updates, and how to contribute to the foundation.
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