Progress?

I spent quite a bit of time (probably more than I should have) doing research today. I did discover why there are some records that I just can't find -- they don't exist. I've been trying to find birth and marriage records for my great grandparents. Turns out South Carolina didn't require marriage certificates until 1911 and birth certificates until 1915. I also found a book on the history of Edgefield. It was availble as a free download from the Library of Congress website. While I wasn't able to identify any definite ancestors, I did find my surnames among the listing of soldiers who served in Edgefield regiments during the Civil War. Since they were all listed among the enlisted men I have to conclude that the families were from the poorer class.

I did find something interesting, a death certificate for an Eldred Padgett who was born in Saluda and died in Greensboro, just like my great- great-grandmother Allie Padgett Crouch. And just like gggrandmother Allie, his father was identified as Charlie Padgett.  Unlike Allie, whose mother was unknown according to her death certificate, Eldred's mother is listed as Savannah Shaver.

I found Savannah in the 1880 Census living in Pine Grove, Edgefield, South Carolina.  Included in the household were her three children - sons Wesley and Eldred, and daughter Arafa (according to the index).  Savannah is identified as white, her children as mulatto.  Is Arafa really Allie misidentified?  When I look at the actual record, the ink has run in places and the name of Savannah's daughter is not at all clear except for the fact that it begins with an "A".  Could this really be Allie?

1880 Census

I'll keep searching.