All qualified persons are welcome to use the Diocese of Charleston Archives, in keeping with the Code of Canon Law, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Document on Ecclesiastical Archives (1974), and the Association of Catholic Diocesan Archivists’ Guidelines for Access to Diocesan Archives (1991).

Researchers are encouraged to discuss their research topics or objectives with the archivist prior to scheduling their appointments.

When and where: Research is by appointment only, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a. m. and 4:00 p. m., in the Archives Reading Room at 114 Broad Street, Charleston.

Registration: Researchers must complete an Application for Research that includes a statement about their research topics and the intended use of the research (e.g., a paper, report, personal interest). Picture identification is required.

Duplication: The Archives maintains a microfilm reader-printer and a photocopying machine. Nominal charges for copies may apply.

Parking: Registered researchers receive a daily parking permit.

Fees: The Archives charges no fees for use of its collection. However, please consider making a donation payable to the Diocese of Charleston.

Students, scholars, journalists, writers and others will find valuable materials for reporting on social and polictical events of the region as well as Catholic history in the Diocese of Charleston. As the United States bishops stated in their Document on Ecclesiastical Archives, “Church historians have still not penetrated to the heart of the peculiarly American experience.” This statement holds true for the Catholic Church in South Carolina, and we welcome historical research.

A brief description of holdings

Some recent research topics

• History of land use at the site of the future College of Charleston Library
• Black Catholic burial grounds
• Irish immigrants
• Bishop John England and Catholic Republicanism
• Clergy and the Charleston Hospital Strike of 1969
• Ministering to WWII German prisoners-of-war held in twenty-one South Carolina POW camps
• Bishop Patrick N. Lynch’s pamphlet on slavery
• Patrick Keeley, architect of the Cathedral
• Black Catholics in nineteenth century Charleston
• Church buildings designed by Reverend Michael McInerny, architect
• Hispanic ministry in twentieth century South Carolina
• Clare Booth Luce and Mepkin Abbey

The Archives offers limited services for genealogical research requests. Service mainly includes a review of sacramental registers. The Archives has available microfilmed copies of many parish sacramental registers (i.e., registers of baptism, first communion, confirmation, marriage, and death). Please note that the collection of registers is not complete, registers are inconsistent in the kind and amount of information recorded, and only registers older than 100 years are available to the general public by policy of Bishop Robert J. Baker.

Genealogical research requests must be concise, submitted in writing, and limited to five names or less. In your request, include all contact information (address, telephone number, and e-mail address), state which sacramental record you seek, and provide all relevant information known about the individual you seek (i.e., full name, date and place or parish in which the sacrament(s) took place, name of parents, names of sponsors, etc.). Also, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish to receive photocopies of found register records.

There are no fees for fulfilling a genealogical research request. However, we ask that you consider including with your written request a donation payable to the Diocese of Charleston. The average donation is $15.00. Please keep in mind that whether or not this office finds the records or materials you seek, it dedicates scarce resources to conduct your research. Archives staff will perform the research whether or not you choose to make a donation.

Researchers may personally review the sacramental registers or any other resource useful for their family history research by appointment (see Research Procedures).

Archives staff will assist in answering specific queries and is more than happy to search holdings for materials relevant to a given topic for on-site research by the requesting individual. However, the Archives does not have the resources to conduct extensive research for individuals and will not respond to broad, general request (e.g., “give me everything you have on…”).

Include your name, address, phone number, and e-mail address on all written or e-mailed research requests.

Mail all written requests to:

Archives
Diocese of Charleston
PO Box 818
Charleston SC 29402

E-mail any research request other than genealogical requests to:

bfahey@catholic-doc.org