I just remembered one more discovery, that I didn't find until 10 years later. At the SC Archives they have a book that list surnames and deeds for the person living in that area. DEEDS are GOLD MINES OF INFORMATION. I tend to get overwhelmed when I step into theses places of research. I have visited the Mississippi Archives in Jackson Ms. many many years ago and did not know of this book. Some of my people owned, sharecropped land there. If only I knew what to look for. But that's hindsight.
Anyway, contact the court house in the county of where your ancestor's lived during the period of time you are interested. See if there is information from the Archives or Court house records on line for the surname in question. Order the deed BEFORE and AFTER purchase. I found NEW names, was able to figure out a migratory pattern, and DEEDS will tell you the WHAT, WHEN, HOW, and WHY it was sold on that date. There were names of witnesses that I searched into and found out other info I hadn't thought about. As well there is always a fee, but it is cheaper than traveling.