The Walker Local History Room is located on the third level of the Richland Library’s Main Library. Anne, Debbie and Margaret are available to guide your research during regular library hours.

Our library had modest beginnings. “Lend-a-Hand” was the first name for the Richland Library, which, in 1896, was located in City Hall and run by a single librarian, Martha Cramer. It was begun through the efforts of the local women’s group, the “Union of Practical Progress.” Later the Columbia Library Association was chartered and provided a limited operating budget. Members were charged an annual fee to use the library and many books were provided through private donations.

Researching your family history?

• Stop by the Walker Local and Family History Center for:
  • Family history document beginner packets.
  • Advise and recommendations to further your research efforts.
• Search the online local obituary index and request retrieval of archived obituaries.
• Search the genealogy databases listed below. Free to Richland Library card holders.
• The Local History digital collection includes several resources including Columbia City Directories and the newly discovered Confederate rolls.
   

Need an obituary from the Columbia area?

Accessible Archives

Searchable online database with early American newspapers, magazines and county histories

This database contains obituary and death notice information from the Columbia, SC newspapers:

Richland Library has a large collection of historic materials and genealogy records for the state of South Carolina with a concentration on the Midlands. We also have access to national news and obituary resources, because genealogy research doesn’t always stay within state lines!