The SC Department of Archives and History, including the Reference Room, will close early for building maintenance on 

Thursday November 20th and Friday November 21st at 4:00 PM

and all day Saturday November 22nd, 2025 

The SC Department of Archives and History, including the Reference Room, will be closed on November 27th, 28th, and 29th, 2025 in observance of the state holiday.

Welcome to Reference Services

The Reference Services Unit operates the Research Room and answers mail, telephone and e-mail queries concerning the records in our care. 

We encourage genealogists, scholars, students, lawyers, state agencies and the general public to use our Research Room. Your investigations will be speedier and easier with the help of our staff.

The Research Room contains - a small research library; indexes to state and local records; microfilm of many federal, state, and local documents; computers; microfilm readers; and Xerox and microfilm copy machines. Wireless internet access is provided.

Please view this video about what to expect when researching at the Archives.