WELCOME TO THE CHARLESTON LIBRARY SOCIETY'S
FINDING AID FOR NATIVE AMERICAN RESOURCES
The goal of this finding aid is to assist the public and local Native American organizations learn about South Carolina's indigenous history. All resources are available to view at the Charleston Library Society or through online links. Each tab organizes these resources by topic or source type. For more information email info@charlestonlibrarysociety.org.
“Fig Island, Aerial View.” South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, SC , www.nationalregister.sc.gov/charleston/S10817710021/pages/S1081771002101.htm.
There's a lot we don't know about the peoples and cultures that existed in America before European contact. In addition, it's often an overlooked aspect of Native American History. We have a number of resources available to help those interested in learning more about our ancient past.
"Group Catawba Indians Rock Hill, SC" 1913. South Carolina Encyclopedia. https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/catawbas/
By the time the Constitution was ratified, the population of Native Americans had become greatly reduced and widely dispersed within our state. Most of the remaining populations assimilated with the Catawba or other western tribes, while some were able to survive in the lower portions of South Carolina.
"Map created by Taylor Evans with USDA NCRS" From South Carolina Commission of Minority Affairs. Originally obtained form US, Dep. of Agriculture. https://cma.sc.gov/minority-population-initiatives/native-american-affairs/south-carolinas-recognized-native-american-indian-entities
For those wishing to learn more about Native American History in South Carolina, we have a page dedicated to various resources outside of this institution.
Princess Xualla presenting a necklace of pearls to Hernando de Soto, at Cofachiqui (South Carolina) Courtesy of Library of Congress Illus. in: The Life, travels and adventures of Ferdinand de Soto, Discoverer of the Mississippi / Lambert A. Wilmer. Philadelphia : J.T. Lloyd, 1858, p. 402 http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/91794402/
From first-contact with Europeans to their near-complete removal from South Carolina, many key moments in Native American history happened during this period. We've compiled a number of resources pertaining to the various topics of the era including primary source documents, native enslavement, general histories, and more.
Carte Particuliere de la Caroline. Pierre Mortier. 1708. New York Public Library. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/eb218090-3d8a-0135-d2c4-0099a76ae075
The Library Society has a number of maps that display information about Native American tribes and the early colonial era. Click on this page to view these maps.