Find Anderson County Obituaries
Anderson County obituary records are extensively indexed and preserved. The county was created in 1826 from Pendleton District. Anderson serves as the county seat. The Anderson County Library maintains a comprehensive Local Obituary Index. This index covers multiple decades of newspaper obituaries. The Anderson Independent-Mail has published local death notices since 1899.
Anderson County Quick Facts
Anderson County Library Obituary Index
The Anderson County Library maintains a searchable Local Obituary Index. This index covers local newspapers from multiple time periods. Current coverage includes 1950-1955, 1971, 1980, and 2010-2018. The library continues to add new entries regularly.
Copies of obituaries from the index cost five dollars each. Copy and postage fees apply for mailed requests. Staff will process up to five obituaries per request. Contact the library at research@andersonlibrary.org or call 864-260-4500, ext. 130.
The library also provides access to the ProQuest Historical Newspapers database. This resource covers South Carolina newspapers from 1973 onward. A library card is required to access this database. The Department of Health and Environmental Control's Death Index covers 1915 to 1970.
Visit andersonlibrary.org to search the online index. The Local History and Genealogy department provides additional research assistance. Staff can help locate records not yet in the online index.
Anderson Independent-Mail Obituary Archives
The Anderson Independent-Mail serves as the primary newspaper for Anderson County. The paper has published continuously since 1899. Current obituaries are available on the newspaper's website. Historical archives are preserved at the Anderson County Library.
The newspaper maintains an online obituary section at independentmail.com. Recent death notices can be searched by name. The paper covers all of Anderson County. Funeral homes submit obituaries directly to the Independent-Mail.
The library's microfilm collection includes historical newspaper issues. These archives provide access to obituaries before digital indexing began. Researchers can view complete newspaper pages in context. Staff can assist with using microfilm readers and locating specific dates.
Anderson County Probate Court Records
The Anderson County Probate Court maintains wills and estates from 1826 to present. These records contain death dates and family relationships. Marriage licenses are also available from 1826. Probate records help establish family connections across generations.
Estate records document property transfers and list heirs. Wills name beneficiaries and executors. These documents confirm death dates and relationships. The Probate Court provides essential resources for genealogy research.
Visit the Anderson County Probate Court for record access. The court is located at the Anderson County Courthouse. Online resources may be available for recent records. Probate records complement obituary searches for complete family history.
Anderson County Obituary Records Online
Multiple online databases contain Anderson County obituary records. FamilySearch provides free access to South Carolina collections. The Deaths and Burials index covers 1816 to 1990. South Carolina Deaths from 1915 to 1965 includes certificate images.
Ancestry.com offers comprehensive databases for Anderson County. The South Carolina Death Records collection spans 1821 to 1969. These records include both indexes and original images. Visit ancestry.com to search these collections.
FamilySearch Wiki provides detailed guidance on Anderson County research. The wiki page lists available record types and repositories. Researchers can find tips for using local and state resources. Visit the FamilySearch Wiki for more information.
Note: Online indexes help locate records, but verify with original sources when possible.
South Carolina State Resources for Anderson County
The South Carolina Department of Public Health maintains death certificates from 1915. These official records provide standardized death information. Certificates less than fifty years old have access restrictions. Older certificates are available as public records.
The South Carolina State Library provides vital records research guides. These guides explain how to obtain various record types. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History preserves historical records. Death certificates over fifty years old are publicly accessible.
The Anderson County Register of Deeds maintains land records from 1826. Property transfers sometimes follow deaths and estate settlements. These records provide indirect evidence of death dates. The Register of Deeds office can be accessed through the county website.
Nearby Counties
Anderson County borders several South Carolina counties. Researchers should check neighboring counties for related obituary records. Families often lived near county borders or moved between counties.