Resources for Documenting African-Americans in South Carolina

Resources for Documenting African-American Ancestors in South Carolina
Many resources exist that document the lives of African-Americans, however, few people know about them. Visit this page often to learn about proven stategies and records which will help you document your African-American progenitors.

Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
The Richland County Public Library has The Palmetto Leader on microfilm. The Palmetto Leader was an African-American newspaper. It contains articles submitted by individuals and churches from many counties across the state. Only the obituaries have been indexed and the index is available online. Obituary Index This database contains obituary and death notice information from the Columbia, SC newspapers:

1. The State (1892-1928, 1940,1950-1955,1958-1979) 2. The Palmetto Leader (1925-1928, 1930, January-April 1931); Columbia's foremost African-American paper

3. Obituary Index to The State for World War II servicemen killed in action (1941-1949)

Click here to access the index: Obituary Index

The Palmetto Leader on microfilm covers more years than are actually indexed. It is a valuable source for those who had ancestors who attended Allen University, Benedict, and for those who had ancestors who were active in AME, AME Zion, or Baptist churches. Even information about social engagements and relatives visiting from the North was documented.