Summerville Genealogy Records
Summerville genealogy research primarily draws on Dorchester County records, as the majority of Summerville falls within Dorchester County. Portions of the town also extend into Berkeley and Charleston counties, which can affect where records are held. Summerville was incorporated in 1847 and developed as a summer retreat for Charleston families, earning the nickname Flowertown in the Pines. Today it is one of South Carolina's fastest-growing communities. The Dorchester County Probate Court and Register of Deeds in St. George are the official repositories for Summerville genealogy records, and the Dorchester County Library Summerville branch is the primary local research facility.
Summerville Quick Facts
Dorchester County Records for Summerville Genealogy
The Dorchester County Probate Court at 101 Ridge Street NW, St. George, SC 29477 holds marriage licenses from July 1, 1911 through June 30, 1950 and estate records from the county's formation in 1897 forward. Phone: (843) 832-0179. Dorchester County was formed from Colleton and Berkeley counties in 1897, so genealogy researchers tracing Summerville families before 1897 will need to search records held in those predecessor counties. For Summerville marriages from July 1950 onward, contact the South Carolina Department of Public Health at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Phone: 803-898-3630.
The Dorchester County Register of Deeds at 101 Ridge Street NW, St. George, SC 29477 maintains land records for Summerville and all of Dorchester County. Phone: (843) 832-0181. Because the Summerville area was part of Colleton County before 1897, early land records for the town site and surrounding area may be found in the Colleton County records held at SCDAH. Researchers should also check Berkeley County records for properties in the portions of Summerville that fall within Berkeley County lines.
The Charleston County Probate Court and Register of Deeds in downtown Charleston hold records for the small portion of Summerville in Charleston County. For families whose records could fall in any of the three counties, checking all three sets of probate and land records may be necessary to build a complete picture of a Summerville ancestor's history.
Summerville Library and Local History Resources
The Dorchester County Library Summerville branch at 76 Old Trolley Road, Summerville, SC 29485 provides access to genealogy resources including local history collections for the Summerville area. Phone: (843) 871-1234. The library holds materials specific to Summerville and Dorchester County including local newspapers, compiled family histories, and reference works on the area's history. The Summerville branch is the most convenient starting point for Summerville genealogy research and can direct researchers to county, state, and local resources for their specific record needs.
The Summerville Preservation Society maintains records and documentation related to Summerville's historic buildings and the families who lived in them. The society's collections focus on the town's Victorian-era history when Summerville was a nationally recognized resort destination. The Dorchester County Historical Society publishes materials on the county's history and maintains research files that can help genealogists trace Summerville families through the records of Dorchester County and its predecessor counties.
Summerville's history as a resort town and its multi-county location means genealogy researchers may need to check Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston county records to trace families fully through the town's history from the mid-nineteenth century forward.
Summerville Vital Records
South Carolina required birth and death registration starting January 1, 1915. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History holds Dorchester County birth records for 1915 to 1918 online and death records for 1915 to 1963. The South Carolina Department of Public Health holds vital records from 1915 to present at 2600 Bull Street, Columbia. Phone: 803-898-3630.
The free South Carolina death index for genealogy covers Dorchester County deaths from 1915 through 1967. Records for Summerville residents are filed under the county of record, which for most Summerville residents is Dorchester County. For Summerville genealogy before 1915, church records are essential. Summerville's history as a resort community meant it attracted seasonal residents whose vital records may be scattered across multiple states and counties. Local congregations including St. Paul's Episcopal, the Presbyterian church, and various Methodist and Baptist churches maintained records that document vital events from the town's early incorporated period.
The State Library genealogy guide helps Summerville researchers navigate which county and state offices hold specific record types, particularly important given Summerville's multi-county location across Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston counties.
Nearby Cities
Summerville spans parts of Dorchester, Berkeley, and Charleston counties. Nearby communities include North Charleston and Goose Creek in the greater Charleston area.