This Week On My Family History Calendar

May 24~
Benjamin Thomas Thames (1854-1931), my paternal great great grandfather, was born 166 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina. He was the son of Thomas Lemuel Thames (1827-1863) and Rebecca Hannah (Stukes) Thames (1830-1870).

Benjamin Thomas Thames
(1854-1931)
About 1910
©Cheri Hudson Passey     
  

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 
Share by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section or you may also put a link to a blog post telling about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for this week: 
Teaching people how to begin researching their ancestors is one of my passions.
Having my new class available on ReseachWriteConnect.com has me celebrating!
It doesn't really matter if you are brand new to genealogy or have been researching for awhile. We all can benefit from classes that teach step by steps the principles used to help us become the best at any endeavor!  The class is available at any time. We have set up a Facebook group to help answer questions and create a safe environment for sharing experiences.  I am so excited about this new project! Want to join us? Use the coupon code:
Cheri20 to get #20 off! Hope to see you in class! We can do the dance together!

What had you doing the Happy Dance this week?

                                                                      

                                                                                              Share your discovery!

                                                                                  
                                                                                         Let the dancing commence!

Share the fun! Click below to tweet this post! 

Looking forward to reading about your Happy Dance moment!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

South Carolina Places~The South Carolina Historical Society Archives

Addlestone Library, College of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina
©Cheri Hudson Passey

Located on the third floor of the College of Charleston's Addlestone Library, is the South Carolina Historical Society Archives. 

Special Collections & South Carolina Historical Society Archives

The Special collection and Archives  Department is a treasure! 
What types of records can you find?
Books, pamphlets, vertical files, manuscripts, photos, and artifacts.

Journals held at within the special collections at the South Carolina Historical Society Archives

The website has a search tool to help to prepare for a visit.  Search in the catalog for your topic, name, or place or look through the list of vertical files. 

Archive information:
Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Address: 205 Calhoon St., Room 351, Charleston, SC 29401
Email:library@schonline.org
Website:https://schistory.org/archives/

Metered parallel parking is available along the side streets and parking garages are a few blocks away.

Entrance to the Special Collections and Archives
©Cheri Hudson Passey

 Once in the library, stairs to the right or an elevator found in the rear can be used to take you to the third floor.  The doors to the Archives stay locked but when the staff sees you waiting to come in they will buzz the door open.  If it's your first time there, you will be asked to sign in. pl
Tables are available to place a laptop, notebooks but you will have to use a free locker to place purses or other bags. You may keep your phone or other scanners with you.

Archival Box of Family Papers
©Cheri Hudson Passey

If you have prepared ahead of time, simply fill out the request form or forms found at the front desk with the file number of the records you need and hand it to a member of the staff. They will retrieve the file or box for you and bring it to the front. It will either be placed on the cart or if not much is going on, bring it to you at your table. You will be asked to only use pencils to fill out the form or when taking notes. This is to stop accidental marking of the records and other materials, Pencils can be found on the front desk.
If you need to access the catalog once there, wifi is available to search from your computer or use the one provided within the archives.

Inside the Archives
©Cheri Hudson Passey

Once you have the items you have requested, and enjoy! Remember to keep a log of what you've requested. Take a photo or scan the unopened file, any papers, documents, or photos inside you need, and then the back of the file. Why the front and the back? It helps you to "bookend" where one file starts and another begins.  It also serves as a way to help you remember where you found each item and craft a source citation. Do the same with books and file boxes.

Make sure you take the time when you return home to go back over all the things you discovered on your research trip! Transcribe, analyze, and input the data into your tree.
Did your visit help you to answer a research question? What do you need to do next?

Special collections like those found at the South Carolina Historical Society Archives are repositories for unique records found nowhere else.

Have you taken advantage of this or other special collections? What have you found?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,