**Please note that all active sacramental registers (baptism, confirmation, marriage, etc.) less than 100 years in age are maintained at the parishes. Only parishes can issue sacramental certificates. The Diocese of Charleston does not maintain a central repository for all sacramental records**
Registers 100 years or older and/or their copies that are held in Diocesan Archives are available to the general public. Researchers may personally review the sacramental registers or any other resource useful for their family history research by appointment (see Research Procedures). Archives has available microfilmed copies of many, but not all, parish sacramental registers (i.e., registers of baptism, first communion, confirmation, marriage, and death). Please note that the collection of registers is not complete, not all registers are indexed, and registers are inconsistent in the type and amount of information recorded.
Archives offers very limited service for genealogical research requests. That service mainly includes a review of available sacramental register indexes. Genealogical research requests must be submitted IN WRITING (by email or post), CONCISE, 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(s) you seek, and provide all relevant information known about the individual you seek (i.e., full name, date and place in which the sacrament was celebrated, name of parents, names of sponsors, etc.). Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish to receive photocopies of found register records. Requests submitted by email will receive PDF scans of found register records.
There are no fees for fulfilling a genealogical research request. However, we ask that you consider a donation payable to the Diocese of Charleston. The average donation has been $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.
If you cannot make a personal visit to Archives and your research needs exceed the above terms, fee-based researchers are available for hire.
