Tracing Family History

Photo of Josephine Crouch, Susie McKeown, and Retha Mark

We may be the library’s library; however, we also serve South Carolina citizens. A grandchild of Retha Mark, the Secretary of the South Carolina Library Association in 1964, asked our reference librarians to search the collection for information about her career. Articles surfaced, including one from the Charleston Evening Post, which included this photo from her swearing-in ceremony. According to the family, Retha Mark had a famous pupil while working as the librarian at Sumter High School in the early 1970s. She tutored NFL superstar Freddie Solomon when he was a student, and they remained friends.

Upcoming Event

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Discover the State Library: Poetry Across South Carolina

April 29, 2025, 1:00 PM

Please join us to learn about the many South Carolina-related print and digital resources available for research through the South Carolina State Library. In this webinar, we'll explore the poetry of South Carolina. Hear about our award-winning poets, verses from state history, collaborations by writing groups, and more.