(This page's most recent update is September 2024)
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Another type of genealogy record that provides tremendous value is criminal records. Some of our ancestors unfortunately got in trouble with the law. And records were kept from arrests through court cases to prison documents. Now, more and more of these records are being digitized or transcribed and are being made available online.
Types of Records
- Criminal court proceedings
- Police reports
- Prison and jail admission registers
- Arrest records
- Mug books
- Pardon and discharge information
- Hospital record books
- Workhouse records
Types of Information
- Name
- Age
- Birth date
- Height
- Weight
- Complexion
- Eye color
- Hair color
- Nationality
- Occupation
- Education
- Habits (alcohol use)
- Relations (parents living)
- Date incarcerated
- Court where charged
- Recommitments
- How and when discharged
Note: Some links listed take you to a FamilySearch Collection of digital images. Near the bottom of the page under Film/Digital Notes is the name of each sub-collection. If there is a camera icon at the right of the name (in the Format column) then the collections’ images are browsable. If there is a camera with a key icon, it is only available at a Family History Center or affiliated library. If there is a film reel icon, then it is only available in microfilm format, not digital. To take full advantage make sure that you are logged in to FamilySearch. The results may be different if you are signed in, rather than not.
Listed below are links to criminal records that are available for free online for the state; the first list is for multi-state collections:
South Carolina Criminal Records
United States
- Before the Needles, Executions in America Database
- Death Penalty USA, Executions 1607-1976 (by state)
- Federal Bureau of Prisons, Inmate Search 1982-
- Freedmen’s Bureau Records Relating to Murders and Outrages
South Carolina
- Anderson County, Jail Book, 1897-1907
- Charleston County, Charleston Poorhouse and Correctional House Records, 1803-1916
- Charleston County, Charleston, Correctional Records, 1868-1885
- Cherokee County, Limestone Township Jail 1930 Index of Prisoners
- Clarendon County Chain Gang, Line 65, 1930 Index of Prisoners
- Clarendon County, Criminal Dockets, 1877-1911
- Colleton County Convict Camp, 1930 Index of Prisoners
- Descriptive Roll of Inmates at the SC Penitentiary
- Descriptive Roll of Inmates at the SC Penitentiary, Executions
- Fairfield County, Jail Books, 1875-1905
- Greenwood County, Greenwood Convict Camp 1930 Index of Prisoners
- Inmates Tried in South Carolina Courts, Atlanta U.S. Federal Penitentiary Records, 1902-1922
- Lexington County, Jail Book, 1873-1900
- Limestone Township Jail, Index of Prisoners 1930
- Richland County, South Carolina Penitentiary 1880 Index of Prisoners
- Richland County, State Cemetery AKA Penitentiary Cemetery
- South Carolina Penitentiary, Index of Prisoners, 1880
- South Carolina, Alcatraz Inmates born in South Carolina
- South Carolina, Descriptive List of Inmates at South Carolina Penitentiary, Aaron – Bright
- South Carolina, Descriptive List of Inmates at South Carolina Penitentiary, Brockinton – Cuthbert
- South Carolina, Descriptive List of Inmates at South Carolina Penitentiary, Daniels – Guyler
- South Carolina, Descriptive List of Inmates at South Carolina Penitentiary, Hagood – Lynch
- South Carolina, Descriptive List of Inmates at South Carolina Penitentiary, Mack – Purvis
- South Carolina, Descriptive List of Inmates at South Carolina Penitentiary, Misc. Inmate Deaths
- South Carolina, Descriptive List of Inmates at South Carolina Penitentiary, Raiford – Turner
- South Carolina, Descriptive List of Inmates at South Carolina Penitentiary, Vanderhurst – Young
- South Carolina, Inmates Tried in South Carolina Courts and incarcerated in Alcatraz – 1902-1922
- South Carolina, Paroled Convicts
- South Carolina, South Carolina Inmate Death Search Index
- South Carolina, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, Prisoners, Insane, In Hospitals, 1917-1918
- South Carolina’s Executions – Prior to Lethal Injection, 1718-1962
- Spartanburg Convict Camp Line 15, 1930 Index of Prisoners
- Sumter County Chain Gang Lines 24-49, 1930 Index of Prisoners
- Sumter County, Probate Records, Some Lunacy Records and Records from Industrial School, 1800-1953
- Union County, Jail Book, 1883-1901
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!