Gullah Geechee people set out to keep their family land. Unclear titles and surging taxes are pushing them out
Summary
The Gullah Geechee people in South Carolina are at risk of losing land passed down through families because of unclear ownership documents and rising property taxes. Some families have kept their land with help from local groups, but many others face challenges from legal and financial issues as well as development and climate problems.Key Facts
- Arthur Champen’s family has owned land in Hilton Head Island since 1892 when his ancestors bought 60 acres for $600.
- The land passed down through generations without formal wills is called heirs’ property, which can cause legal confusion over ownership.
- After some family members moved or died, Champen’s family almost lost marshland to tax sale due to unpaid property taxes.
- A nonprofit group helped the family pay taxes so they could keep the land.
- Many Gullah Geechee people in Beaufort County face losing land due to unclear property titles, unpaid taxes, family disputes, development pressure, and climate impacts.
- The Gullah Geechee population on Hilton Head has decreased, with Black residents dropping from 8% in 2000 to 6% in 2020.
- There are over 41,000 heirs’ properties in South Carolina totaling more than 414,000 acres, valued over $3.4 billion in 2019.
- Researching exact land loss among Gullah families is difficult and costly because of complex legal issues.
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