(This page's most recent update is September 2024)
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Another underutilized genealogy resource is Church Records. We tend to focus our research on civil records but need to be aware that often church records pre-date civil records and are also a great resource. In the BMD Records section of this website, about 15,000 collections of civil records are available online. Yes, that’s a lot, but we also need to search church records.
What can we find in church or synagogue records? Here’s just a short list of what nuggets we can find:
- Baptisms and Christenings
- Marriages
- Deaths
- Burials
- Confirmations
- Membership lists
- Church Minutes
- Church Directories
- Transfer Letters
- Bar or Bat Mitzvahs
- Sunday School lists
- Church newsletters
In addition, many folks also documented important events in family bibles, so they need to be searched as well if the event information has been digitized.
Here are a couple of articles that you might find useful:
- U.S. Church Records Research Guide
- United States Church Records
- A Genealogist’s Guide to Using Catholic Records in Genealogy Research
There is a large number of Free Online Church Record collections; the links for the state are below:
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.
South Carolina Church Records
- Abbeville County, Siloam Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1834-1876
- Abbeville County, Turkey Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1785-1909
- Aiken, First Baptist Church, Church Records, 1814-1889
- Allendale County, Mount Arnon Baptist Church, Church Records, 1839-1937
- Anderson County, Eureka Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1889-1972
- Anderson County, Flat Rock Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1871-1972
- Anderson County, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1824-1896
- Anderson County, Union Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1888-1967
- Anderson County, Welcome Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1894-1972
- Anderson, Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1798-1938
- Anderson, Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1798-1956
- Anderson, Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1833-1854
- Barnwell, First Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1812-1912
- Beaufort County, Beaver Dam Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1834-1968
- Beaufort County, Stoney Creek Independent Congregational Church Births or Christenings, 1744-1756
- Beaufort County, Stoney Creek Independent Congregational Church Marriages, 1744-1756
- Beaufort County, St. Helena’s Parish Minutes of the Vestry 1726-1812
- Beaufort, Beaufort Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1840-1911, 1954-1965
- Beaufort, Sheldon Church, Prince Williams Parish, Births or Christenings, 1825-1873
- Beaufort, St. Helenas Parish, Births or Christenings, 1683-1822
- Beaufort, St. Helenas Parish, Marriages, 1683-1822
- Belton, First Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1861-1911
- Bennettsville, Bennettsville Methodist Church, Church Records, 1846-1925
- Berkeley, St. Andrews Parish, Marriages, 1714-1774
- Central, First Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1890-1957
- Charleston County, Ashley River Baptist Church, Church Records, 1736-1769
- Charleston, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Church Records
- Charleston, St. Philip’s Church Register 1720-1758
- Charleston, Ashley River Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1943-1959
- Charleston, Christ Church Parish Births or Christenings, 1694-1843
- Charleston, Christ Church Parish, Marriages, 1709-1862
- Charleston, Citadel Square Baptist Church, Church Records, 1868-1955
- Charleston, First Baptist Church, Church Records, 1821-1875
- Charleston, Independent or Congregational (Circular) Church Births or Christenings, 1732-1815
- Charleston, Independent or Congregational (Circular) Church Births or Christenings, 1732-1815
- Charleston, Independent or Congregational (Circular) Church Marriages, 1735-1815
- Charleston, Rutledge Avenue Baptist Church, Church Records, 1892-1969
- Charleston, Saint James Santee Parish, Births or Christenings, 1758-1788
- Charleston, Saint John Lutheran, Marriages, 1752-1785
- Charleston, Saint Philip, Marriages, 1720-1802
- Charleston, St. Michael’s Church, Minutes, 1758-1797
- Charleston, St. Philip’s Parish, Register, 1754-1810
- Cheraw, Baptist Church, Church Records, 1822-1934
- Cherokee County, Antioch Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1815-1959
- Cherokee County, El Bethel Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings, Membership Rolls, 1803-1950
- Cherokee County, Goucher Creek Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1810-1859
- Cherokee County, Mount Ararat Baptist Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1844-1882
- Cherokee County, Pacolet Baptist Church, Church Records, 1787-1805, 1846-1873
- Cherokee County, Skull Shoals Baptist Church, Church Records, 1787-1805
- Cherokee County, State Line Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1837-1973
- Chesnee, Arrowood Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1843-1955
- Chester County Historical Collection (includes Church Records), 1739-1997
- Chester County, Hopewell Baptist Church Minutes, 1813-1837
- Chester, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1873-1972
- Chester, Woodward Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1874-1951
- Chesterfield County, Gum Branch Baptist Church, Church Records, 1796-1963
- Chesterfield County, Macedonia Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1832-1972
- Colleton County, Corinth Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1869-1919
- Columbia, Second Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1890-1923
- Coneross, Coneross Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1833-1949
- Conway, First Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1899-1961
- Cross Anchor, New Hope Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1834-1895, 1901-1953
- Cross Anchor, New Hope Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1834-1895
- Darlington County, Swift Creek Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1852-1940
- Darlington, First Baptist Church, Church Records, 1856-1896
- Darlington, High Hill Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1886-1955
- Dillon County, Catfish Creek Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1802-1971
- Dillon, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1891-1972
- Dovesville, Black Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1798-1896
- Easley, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1873-1972
- Edgefield County, Horn’s Creek Baptist Church Minutes 1824 – 1866
- Edgefield County, Bethany Baptist Church, Church Records, 1810-1929
- Edgefield County, Sweetwater Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1832-1966
- Effingham, Elim Baptist Church, Church Records, 1847-1927
- Elko, Elko Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1896-1971
- Elko, Mount Calvary Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1856-1972
- Enoree, Antioch Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1835-1970
- Estill, Lawtonville Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1874-1959
- Eutawville, Eutawville Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1933-1972
- Fair Play, Beaverdam Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1868-1963
- Fairfield County, Crooked Run Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1834-1877, 1883-1907, 1944-1972
- Fairfield County, Little River Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1794-1820
- Fairfield County, Mount Zion Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1969-1972
- Florence County, Beulah Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1872-1899, 1921-1924
- Florence County, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Church Records, 1823-1908
- Florence County, Evergreen Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1891-1914, 1941-1972
- Florence, Calvary Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1949-1972
- Florence, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1866-1946
- Gaffney, Buffalo Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1805-1960
- Gaffney, Grassy Pond Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1879-1959
- Georgetown, Methodist Church, Births or Christenings, 1810-1842
- Georgetown, Methodist Church, Marriages, 1810-1842
- Greenville County, Milford Baptist Church, Church Records, 1832-1869
- Greenville County, Reedy River Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1799-1914
- Greenville County, Tyger Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1800-1911
- Greenville, First Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1831-1939
- Greenville, Welcome Baptist Church Minutes and Records, 1875-1961
- Greenwood County, Mount Moriah Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1855-1900
- Greenwood County, Providence Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1845-1943
- Greer, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Records, 1833-1955
- Hartsville, New Providence Baptist Church, Church Records, 1808-1922
- Hartsville, New Providence Baptist Church, Church Records, 1808-1922
- Hemingway, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1926-1928, 1941-1954
- Honea Path, Broadmouth Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1837-1966
- Honea Path, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1869-1955
- Honea Path, First Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1869-1955
- Horry County, Spring Branch Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1832-1899
- Inventory of South Carolina Church Archives
- Iva, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1906-1972
- Jasper County, Gillisonville Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1873-1898, 1950-1972
- Jefferson, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1837-1969
- Johnston, Johnston Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1875-1914
- Kershaw County, Beaver Creek Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1868-1883
- Kershaw County, Providence Baptist Church, Minutes from 1884–1910
- Lake City, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1842-1867
- Lancaster, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1894-1972
- Landrum, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1835-1972
- Latta, Latta Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1891-1972
- Laurens County, Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1825-1943
- Laurens County, Hurricane Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1893-1972
- Laurens County, Poplar Springs Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1895-1972
- Laurens County, Princeton Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1901-1972
- Laurens County, Upper Duncan’s Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1832-1899
- Lodge, Carter’s Ford Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1855-1953
- Lutheran Church Records of South Carolina
- Lydia, Mount Elon Baptist Church, Church Records, 1831-1843
- Lydia, Mt. Elon Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1831-1943
- Madison, Old Liberty Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1818-1854, 1869
- Marion County, Gapway Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1833-1867
- Marlboro County, Salem Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1797-1930
- Mullins, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1880-1972
- Newberry County, Bush River Monthly Meeting of Friends, Men’s Minutes, Women’s Minutes
- Newberry County, Newberry Station, Methodist Church – Church Records 1873-1886
- Newberry County, Cross Roads Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1839-1925
- Newberry, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1831-1972
- Ninety-six, First Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1875-1926
- North Augusta, Big Stevens Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1803-1901
- Oconee County, Mt. Tabor Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1884-1972
- Oconee County, New Hope Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1835-1953
- Orangeburg County, Antioch Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1867-1880
- Orangeburg County, Four Holes Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1849-1903
- Pamplico, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1921-1972
- Pauline, Philadelphia Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1957-1966
- Pauline, Philadelphia Baptist Church, Church Records, 1803-1957
- Pauline, Philadelphia Baptist Church, Church Records, 1803-1957
- Pelzer, Washington Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1821-1952
- Pickens County, Cross Roads Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1838-1966
- Pickens County, Griffin Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1857-1972
- Pickens County, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1860-1883, 1907-1966
- Pickens County, Secona Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1795-1938
- Pickens County, Secona Baptist Church, Church Records, 1795-1943
- Pickens, Antioch Baptist Church Minutes with Membership Lists, 1857-1889:
- Pickens, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1891-1941
- Piedmont, Mountain Springs Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1860-1923
- Richburg, Hopewell Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Records 1832-1892
- Richland County, Salem Methodist Episcopal Church, South – Church Register
- Richland County, Congaree Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1849-1963
- Ridgeland, Ridgeland Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1892-1897, 1960-1972
- Saluda County, Bethel Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1853-1915
- Saluda County, Bethel Baptist Church, Church Records, 1853-1935
- Saluda County, Chestnut Hill Baptist Church, Church Records, 1832-1891
- Saluda County, Richland Springs Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1859-1949
- Saluda, Red Bank Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1859-1914
- Society Hill, Antioch Baptist Church, Church Records, 1830-1895
- Society Hill, Welsh Neck Baptist Church Minutes
- Society Hill, Welsh Neck Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1737-1952
- South Carolina Births and Christenings, 1681-1935
- South Carolina Historical Records Survey Inventory of S.C. Church Archives
- South Carolina Hopewell Baptist Church, Church Records, 1813-1837
- South Carolina Methodist Church. Darlington Circuit Church Records, 1831-1878
- South Carolina Neal’s Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1832-1901
- South Carolina Old Mispah Baptist Church, Church Records, 1830-1862
- South Carolina Perfect Baptist Church, Church Records, 1859-1939
- South Carolina Protestant Episcopal Church State Convention Records 1804-1912
- South Carolina, St. Thomas and St. Denis Parish The Annals and Parish Register 1680 to 1884
- Spartanburg County, Buck Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1851-1966
- Spartanburg County, Fairview Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1852-1872
- Spartanburg County, Middle Tyger Baptist Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1875-1898
- Spartanburg County, Poplar Springs Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1874-1972
- Spartanburg County, Unity Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1818-1904
- Spartanburg, First Baptist Church Record Book of the Young Ladies Missionary Society, 1884-1888
- Spartanburg, Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1919-1964
- Spartanburg, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Church Records, 1850-1867
- Springfield, Springfield Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1889-1972
- St. Helena’s Parish, Minutes of the Vestry, 1726-1812
- St. Matthew’s Parish, Minutes of the Vestry, 1767-1838
- Sumter County, Graham Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1886-1924, 1952-1959
- Tillman, Tillman Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1883-1972
- Timmonsville, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1912-1972
- Timmonsville, Lake Swamp Baptist Church, Church Records, 1832-1916
- Timmonsville, Sardis Baptist Church, Church Records, 1840-1873
- Union County, Baptist Sunday School Convention Constitution and Records, 1887-1892
- Union County, Beulah Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1881-1972
- Union County, Cain Creek Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1835-1890
- Union County, Cane Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1835-1890
- Union County, Fairforest Baptist Church, Church Records, 1820-1899
- Union County, Gilead Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1838-1953
- Union County, Hebron Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1867-1887, 1937-1946
- Union County, Lower Fairforest Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1809-1925, 1934-1946
- Union County, New Prospect Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1849-1889
- Union County, Padget’s Creek Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1784-1955
- Union County, Padget’s Creek Baptist Church, Church Records, 1784-1874
- Union County, Putman’s Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1804-1905
- Union County, Unity Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1845-1934
- Union County, Unity Baptist Church, Church Records, 1845-1934
- Union County, Upper Fairforest Baptist Church, Church Minutes, 1820-1873
- Union, Union Baptist Church, Church Records, 1804-1843
- Wagener, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1887-1972
- Washington, Washington Baptist Church, Church Records, 1821-1911
- West Union, West Union Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1848-1866
- Westminster, Clearmont Baptist Church, Church Minutes and Membership Rolls, 1890-1909, 1922-1953
- Whitmire, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1841-1955
- Williamsburg County, Bethany Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1890-1921
- Woodruff, Northside Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1904-1973
- York, First Baptist Church Minutes of Meetings and Lists of Members, 1930-1972
Good Luck and Happy Hunting!