Story last updated at 7:05 a.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2004 Archives Dept. spins history into Web Efforts under way to make available to the Internet 300 years of historical records BY TENISHA WALDO Of The Post and Courier Staff No ride to your local library. No being hushed by librarians. You wouldn't even have to change out of your pajamas, unless you want to. Now, researching within the comfort of your own home is a couple of clicks away. The South Carolina Department of Archives and History in Columbia has begun efforts to provide more of its 300 years of historical state and local government records online. The department is updating its Internet search database of more than 300,000 older records to include links to actual images. People can now see photographs and images of original historic documents. "People like the convenience of the Internet," Liz Newcombe said. "And kids these days, that's where they want to start. They don't even want to open a book." Newcombe, a 17-year preservation technician for the Charleston County Public Library, uses the online database up to three times a week for the genealogy department. The Web site serves as a reference tool for records the library doesn't have. "That gives us access to at least 60,000 items ... because we don't have those record series here," she said. Researchers can view and print some microfilm documents from their homes. Previously, this could only be done at the library. They can also find reference numbers for certain records. Despite the convenience of online research at home, Newcombe said it's mainly a start. Researchers would eventually need to make a trip to the library. A $25,000 federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the South Carolina State Library allows the department to scan the most in-demand records onto the archive's Web site. Ron Tryon, state archivist and records administrator, said scanning the records has been a gradual process. They began in mid-2002. In January, they got the site up and running with photos and actual documents. "It's taken quite a while," Tryon said. "At the rate we're going now, it'll be many, many years before we get a lot of other records on there." With 50 million pages of database dating from 1671-2003 on file at the archives department, he said his staff of seven is doing their best. Currently available on the Web site are: -- Nearly 10,000 Confederate Pension Application files; -- Almost 3,000 school insurance file photographs from 1935-1952; -- National Register of Historic Places photograph files for Colleton, Fairfield, Marlboro, Pickens, Saluda and Williamsburg counties. Soon to be added are: -- Grand jury presentments to the General Assembly from 1783-1877; -- National Register photograph files from other counties; -- Colonial plat books dating from 1731-1775. The files are categorized by topic, location and date. Use of the Web site is free, but Tryon encouraged Web site users to properly cite all information used. B>ON THE NET www.state.sc.us/scdah/pilotintro.htm _________________________________________________________________ MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page – FREE download! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/