[Research Guidance: Scotland - Research Outline] Research Guidance Version Of Data : 6/9/2001

Table of Contents
Introduction
     Obtaining Copies Of Publications
     Using This Outline
Scottish Search Strategies
Records At The Family History Library
The Family History Library Catalog
     Records Selection Table: Scotland
Archives And Libraries
Biography
Cemeteries
Census
Church Directories
Church History
Church Records
     Nonconformist Church Records
Civil Registration
     General Historical Background
     Information Recorded In Civil Registers
     Finding Civil Registration Records
     Indexes To Civil Registration Records
Court Records
     Types Of Courts
     Finding Court Records
     For More Information
Directories
Emigration And Immigration
     General Background
     Emigration From Scotland
     Records Of Scottish Emigrants In Their Destination Countries
     Immigration Into Scotland
Gazetteers
Genealogy
Heraldry
Historical Geography
History
Land And Property
Language And Languages
Maps
Merchant Marine
Military Records
     Army
     Navy
     Militia
     Other Branches Of The Military
     Handbooks On Military History And Military Records
Names, Personal
Newspapers
Nobility
Occupations
Periodicals
Probate Records
     Determining The Court
     Finding Probate Records
     Indexes To Probate Records
     Difficulties In Finding A Probate Record
Poorhouses, Poor Law, Etc.
Schools
Societies
Taxation
Other Records For Scotland
For Further Reading
Comments And Suggestions

SCOTTISH SEARCH STRATEGIES

Step 1. Identify What You Know about Your Family

Begin your research with family and home sources. Look for names, dates, and places in certificates, family Bibles, letters, obituaries, diaries, and similar sources. Ask your relatives for any more information they may have. It is very likely that your second cousin, great-aunt, or other relative already has some family information. Organize the information you find and record it on pedigree charts Look this term up in the glossary. and family group record forms.

Step 2. Decide What You Want to Learn

Select a specific relative or ancestor born in Scotland for whom you know at least a name, the town or parish where he or she lived in Scotland, and an approximate date when he or she lived there. It is very helpful to also know his or her religion and the names of other family members born in Scotland.

If you do not have enough information on your Scottish ancestor, review the sources mentioned in “Step 1. Identify What You Know about Your Family,” above. For suggestions on finding your ancestor’s birthplace, see the “Record Selection Table” or the Tracing Immigrant Origins Research Outline (34111).

Next, decide what you want to learn about your ancestor, such as where and when he or she was married or the parents’ names. An experienced researcher or librarian can help you choose an objective that you can successfully achieve.

Step 3. Select a Record to Search

Read this outline to learn about the types of records used for Scottish research. To trace your family, you may need to use some of the records described in each section. Several factors can affect which records you search. This outline can help you evaluate the contents, availability, ease of use, time period covered, and reliability of the records. Use the “Records Selection Table” to decide which records to search.

First obtain some background information. Then survey previous research. Finally, search original documents.

Background Information Sources. You may need some geographical and historical information. You can save time and effort by understanding the events and places that affected your ancestors' lives.

Locate the town or place of residence. Examine maps, indexes to place-names, gazetteers, and other place-name finding aids to learn as much as you can about each of the places where your ancestor lived. Identify the major migration routes, nearby cities, county boundaries, other geographical features, and government or ecclesiastical jurisdictions. Place-finding aids are described in the “Maps” and “Gazetteers” sections of this outline.

Review local history. Scotland’s history has greatly affected the development of records of genealogical value. If possible, study a history of the areas where your ancestors lived. Look for clues about the people, places, religions, and events that may have affected their lives and the records about them. Records with information about migration and settlement patterns, government jurisdictions, and historical events are described in the “Church History,” “Gazetteers,” “History,” and “Emigration” sections of this outline.

Learn about Scottish jurisdictions. You will need to know about how Scotland is divided into counties and parishes. See the “Historical Geography” section of this outline.

Use language helps. The records and histories of places will usually be written in English, Latin, or the Scottish variation of English. Some helpful sources are described in the “Language and Languages” section of this outline.

Understand naming patterns. Some families in Scotland followed distinct patterns when naming their children. Understanding these customs may help you find missing ancestors. See “Names, Personal” section of this outline for more information.

Previous Research Sources. Most genealogists do a survey of research previously done by others. This can save time and give you valuable information. Look for the following types of information:

Printed family histories and genealogies
Biographies
Local histories
The International Genealogical Index
Ancestral File
Scottish Church Records

Records containing previous research are described in the “Biography,” “Genealogy,” “Periodicals,” and “Societies” sections of this outline. Remember that the information in previous research sources may contain some inaccuracies. Therefore, you will want to verify the information you find in such records with other records.

Original Records. After surveying previous research, you will be ready to begin research in original records, many of which you can find on microfilm. These documents can provide primary information about your family because they were generally recorded at or near the time of an event by a reliable witness. To do thorough research, you should search records of:

Each place where your ancestor lived.
Each parish of your ancestor’s religion in each place of residence.
The time period when he or she lived there.
All jurisdictions that may have kept records about him (town, parish, county and country.)

Many types of original documents are described in this outline.

For each record type, the paragraph heading used in this outline is the same as the topic used in the Family History Library Catalog.

Step 4. Find and Search the Record

Suggestions for Obtaining Records. You may be able to get the records you need in the following ways:

Family History Library. You are welcome to visit and use the records at the Family History Library. The library is open to the public. There are no fees for using the records. If you would like more information about its services, contact the library at the following address:

Family History Library
35 North West Temple Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400
USA
Telephone: 801-240-2331
Fax: 801-240-1584

Family History Centers. Copies of most of the records on microform at the Family History Library can be lent to Family History Centers worldwide. There are small duplication and postage fees for this service.
Photocopies. The Family History Library and many other libraries offer limited photoduplication services for a small fee. You must specify the exact pages you need. Books protected by copyright cannot be copied in their entirety. However, a few pages can usually be copied for personal research.
Archives and local churches. Most of the original documents you will need are at government, church, and local archives or in local parish offices. While the Family History Library has many records on microfilm, other records are available only at these archives. You can request searches in their records through correspondence (see the “Archives and Libraries” section for more information).
Professional researchers. You can employ a private researcher to search the records for you. Some researchers specialize in Scottish records. Lists of qualified professional researchers are available from the Family History Library. Some archives and record repositories also have lists of researchers who make searches in their offices.

When requesting services from libraries or professional researchers through correspondence, you are most likely to be successful if your letter is brief and very specific. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) when writing within your own country. When writing to other countries, enclose international reply coupons (available from large post offices) in place of stamps. You will usually need to send a check or money order in advance to pay for photocopy or research services.

Suggestions for Searching the Records. You will be most successful with Scottish research if you can examine the original records (on microfilm). In some cases, handwritten transcripts of the original records are available. These may be easier to read, but may be less accurate than the original records.

Follow these principles as you search for your ancestor:

Search for one generation at a time. Do not try to connect your family to others who have the same surname who lived more than a generation before your proven ancestor. It is much easier to prove parentage than descent.
Search for your ancestor’s entire family. The records of each person in a family may contain clues for identifying other family members. In most families, children were born at regular intervals. If there appears to be a longer period between some children, reexamine the records for a child who may have been overlooked. Consider looking at other records and in other places to find a missing family member.
Search each source thoroughly. The information you need to find a person or trace the family further may be a minor detail in the record you are searching. Note the occupation of your ancestor and the names of witnesses, godparents, neighbors, relatives, guardians, and others. Also note the places they are from.
Search a broad time period. Dates obtained from some sources may not be accurate. Look several years before and after the date you think an event, such as a birth, occurred.
Look for indexes. Some records have indexes. However, many indexes are incomplete. They may only include the name of the specific person the record is about. They may not include parents, witnesses, and other incidental persons. Also, be aware that the original records may have been misinterpreted or names may have been omitted during indexing.
Search for prior residence. Information about previous residences is crucial to continued successful research.
Watch for spelling variations. Look for the many ways a name could have been spelled. Spelling was not standardized when most early records were made. You may find a name spelled differently than it is today.

Record Your Searches and Findings. Copy the information you find and keep detailed notes about each record you search. These notes should include the author, title, location, call numbers, description, and results of your search. Most researchers use a research log for this purpose.

Step 5. Use the Information

Evaluate the Information You Find. Carefully evaluate whether the information you find is complete and accurate. Ask yourself these following questions:

Who provided the information? Did the person witness the event?

Was the information recorded near the time of the event, or later?

Is the information consistent and logical?

Does it suggest other places, time periods, or records to search?

Record Your Searches and Findings. Your family’s history can become a source of enjoyment and education for yourself and your family. Contributing your information to Ancestral File is a good way to share information. See Contributing to Ancestral File (34029) for more information. In addition, you may want to compile your findings into a family history. You can share copies of your history with family members, the Family History Library, and other archives.

If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Look this term up in the glossary. , be sure to submit information about your deceased family members so you can provide temple ordinances for them. Your ward family history consultant or a library staff member at the Family History Library or your Family History Center can assist you. You can also use A Member’s Guide to Temple and Family History Work (34697) to learn how to submit the names of your deceased ancestors.

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[FamilySearch^TM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/9/2001]