Resources Available at the Records Center | Charleston, SC - Official Website
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The Charleston, SC Records Center, located at 2 George Street, houses municipal records created by city departments and divisions documenting the city's organizational, social, political, and economic history. The facility maintains extensive collections including city council minutes dating to 1790, mayoral records from 1879 to present, ordinances from 1783 to 2023, departmental records spanning from the 1800s to recent decades, and general research files containing newspaper clippings and city documents. Researchers may view many records by appointment, though some requests require a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) submission; additionally, the city transferred some older collections to the Charleston County Public Library in 2002 to increase public access.
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Loading Skip to Main Content Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more. Website Sign In NEWS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS BUSINESS ONLINE SERVICES VISITORS PROJECTS HOW DO I... Search GovernmentDepartmentsClerk of CouncilRecords Management DivisionResources Available at the Records Center Resources Available at the Records Center The Records Center houses records created by departments and divisions of the City of Charleston, which may be of use for both historical and contemporary research. These records document the City’s organizational history and provide important insight into the social, political, and economic history of Charleston. In 2002, the City transferred some of its older collections to the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL) in order to make the documents more widely available. A list of these records is located on the library website at City of Charleston Records. The following gives a broad overview of the records held by the City of Charleston and available for research at the Records Center at 2 George Street. Researchers are welcome to make appointments to view many of our records; however, some research requests may require a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Please reach out to us to make an appointment! Council Records Board, Committee, and Commission Minutes, 1790 to 2015 (with early gaps) Special Committee, Subcommittee, and Public Hearing Minutes, 1886 to 2015 (with early gaps) Ledgers of City Council Minutes, 1865 to 1908 Indexes to City Council Ledgers, 1865 to 1919 Journals of the City Council of Charleston, 1865 to 2002 Ledgers of Ways and Means Committee Minutes, 1897 Executive & Legislative Files Mayoral Records, 1879 to present Mayoral Scrapbooks, 1931 to 1999 Codes of Ordinances of the City of Charleston, 1783 to present Ordinances, Resolutions, and Proclamations, 1800 to 2023 (with gaps) Departmental Records, including the following collections of note: Business License Registers, Street Lists, and Applications, 1872 to 2015 Clerk of Council Easement and Encroachment Files 1933-2019 Clerk of Council Letterpress Copybooks, 1935 to 1994 (microfilm only) City Architect Records, 1972-2007 City Treasurer and Assessor Files, 1884 to 1960 City of Charleston Engineering Division Records 1867-1979 Fire Department Records, 1848 to 1979 City of Charleston Fire Department Records, 1848-1979 Public Service Records, 1916 to 1983 City of Charleston Public Service Division Records, 1964-1983 Sewerage Department Records, 1892 to 1916 Surveyor Records, 1813 to 1916 Zoning Board of Adjustment Files, A-F, ca. 1984-1999 General Research Files These files are a useful source of knowledge for anyone seeking a broad overview of a particular subject, person, or place of significance to the City. While largely a collection of newspaper clippings, the General Files also contain many original City documents. The General Files of the City Records Center contain information on: Businesses City Streets Events Relevant to the History of Charleston Historic Buildings Institutions Noteworthy Persons Institutional Records Alms House Records, 1801 to 1917 (Microfilm only. CCPL holds original records) Orphan House and Oak Grove Files, 1800 to 1967 In 2002, many Charleston Orphan House records over seventy-five years were transferred to the South Carolina Room of the CCPL, where records are processed and open to researchers. Records that were less than seventy-five years old at the time remain with the City’s Records Management Division. Depending on age, the records on file at the Records Center are subject to the following restrictions: To protect the privacy of former residents, access to these files is restricted until the records reach seventy-five years of age. Contact Records Management for more information on accessing these records. The records may be viewed at Records Management, or redacted photocopies may be obtained: By a former resident, upon presentation of a photo ID By a relative of a deceased former resident, upon presentation of a photo ID and a copy of the death certificate of the former resident By a relative of a living former resident, upon presentation of a photo ID and a power of attorney from the former resident By other persons with a court order allowing access to the records upon presentation of a photo ID and a copy of the court order Land & Property Records Building Permits, 1932 to 2016 Certificates of Occupancy, 1978 to 2015 Elevation Certificates, circa the 1980s to present Elevation Certificates are now available online through the City's Mapnet system Information on how to search for and access the certificates is available here Housing Photographs, 1989 Maps and Plats, 1698 to 1989 Through the courtesy of the Charleston County Register of Deeds (ROD), digital images of more than 800 archival maps and plats, many drawn by the City Surveyor or City Engineer, are available online at City of Charleston Archival Maps and Plats. Please note that the City does not retain architectural drawings for private property longer than one year after an issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Publications & Printed Material City of Charleston Yearbooks, 1880 to 1951 Pamphlet Collection, 1782 to 1991 Plans and Studies, 1895 to 2009 Records Not held by the City of Charleston Many of the public records frequently requested from the City Records Center are actually issued by other government agencies. The South Carolina Department of Public Health, Vital Records: Issues birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and reports of divorce. Phone: 843-953-0032 The Charleston County Clerk of Court: Issues divorce decrees. Phone: 843-958-5000 The Charleston County Register of Deeds (ROD): Retains deeds, mortgages, and plats for real property located in the City of Charleston. Phone: 843-958-4800 Contact Us Records Management Division Email Physical Address 2 George Street Charleston, SC 29407 Phone 843-724-7301 Records Management Division Freedom of Information Act Requests (FOIAs) Historical Collections Catalog Resources Available at the Records Center Intendants and Mayors Finding Aids to Historical City Records Mayoral Records Interns and Volunteers Historical Exhibits and Essays REC PROGRAM PERMITTING EMPLOYMENT AGENDA CENTER COMMENT CARD REPORT A PROBLEM NOTIFY ME GIS APPS CITIZEN SERVICES DESK 843-724-7311 Report a Concern Questions? 80 Broad Street Charleston, South Carolina 29401-0304 FAQs How do I obtain a residential garbage container? What is the holiday garbage and trash pick-up schedule? Quick Links Home FAQs News Website Support Request Disability Accessibility Grievance Form Calendar Site Links Translate Page Site Map Copyright Notices Mobile Accessibility Government Websites by CivicPlus®
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