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

Cookbook open on a table with foodstuffs all around.

Yum!: Recipes & Resources at the SC State Library

December 15, 2025, 11:00 AM

Hungry for something new? Join us for a tasty webinar as we dig into the library’s food-focused resources—from fascinating historical finds to modern cookbooks. We might even sprinkle in a recipe or two!