Talk:Getting Started With Your Scottish Research

This information from Research Guidance needs to be updated if needed, and integrated into the Wiki.

Scotland, How to Find Compiled Sources
Introduction When you begin family history research for one of your ancestors, you should begin by looking for compiled research. Compiled research sources contain names of individuals for whom data has been transcribed, indexed, or collected. These sources were created by individuals, groups, societies, universities, archives, and commercial corporations. Determining what research has already been done by others, including your own family members, can: • Save you valuable research time. • Help you find information in original records more quickly. • Help you avoid unnecessary duplication of work. • Provide clues for further research. What You Are Looking For You are looking for compiled sources which may give information on your ancestors. The information you find varies from record to record. These records may include: • Names of children, spouse, parents, siblings, and other family members. • Birth or baptism, marriage, and death or burial information. • Dates of other important events such as immigration or land purchases. • Age at the time of dated events. • Place or street of residence. • Occupations. • Schools attended. • Military service. • Religious affiliations. • Countries, counties, or places of origin. • Other biographical data. Scotland, How to Find Compiled Sources Research Guidance Version of Data: 02/16/01 2 Steps These 7 steps will help you find and use compiled sources. Step 1. Identify compiled sources. Compiled sources can include: • Published family histories. • Unpublished manuscript histories. • Local histories. • Computer databases. • Compiled pedigrees. • Biographies. • Record collections. • Indexes to original records (such as censuses, marriages, or monumental inscriptions). • Registries for research exchange (help you find other individuals who may be researching the same family as you). • Surname or one-name lists (help you find other individuals researching a particular surname). Step 2. Locate compiled sources. You can find compiled sources through: • The Internet. • Family History Centers. • The Family History Library. • Archives and Libraries. • Societies (family history, county, regional, and national). Step 3. Decide which compiled sources to search. You should search compiled sources that: • Deal with your specific family name. • Cover your specific place of interest. • Cover a range of years during your ancestor's lifetime. Step 4. Search compiled sources. Compiled sources are often indexed or alphabetically arranged. Search for your ancestors in the compiled sources you have found. In addition to your direct-line ancestors, search for their family members, relatives, or in-laws. Information about other relatives may give you clues to information about your direct-line ancestors. Step 5. Copy and document the information in your research notes. Copy the information from the record exactly as it was given onto the family group sheets and pedigree chart for your ancestor. Be sure to record the source of the information onto a research log. You may want to make a photocopy of the record for future use. To learn how to keep good notes, see Note taking &amp; keeping for genealogists. Scotland, How to Find Compiled Sources Research Guidance Version of Data: 02/16/01 3 Step 6. Analyze and use the information found in compiled sources. Compare any information you found in compiled sources with knowledge you already have about your ancestor. Does it: • Conflict with what you know? (If the information conflicts, use other sources to verify it.) • Support what you know? • Add to what you know? Then ask yourself: • Did the source have the information I wanted? • Is this information accurate? • Does this information suggest other sources to search? Step 7. Verify information from compiled sources with other records. When you obtain information from compiled sources, you must verify the information by searching original records. Where to Find It Internet Sources FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service Many compiled sources are available on the Internet.You can search for compiled sources through the FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service. FamilySearch Internet can search online records and web sites to see if they contain information you need. To look for compiled sources through FamilySearch Internet, go to Search for Ancestors and use either the All Resources or Web Sites search option. Websites The following are examples of websites that provide compiled sources that are searchable by surname: • Internet FamilyFinder. • Ancestry.com (fee required). • GenSeeker. Scotland, How to Find Compiled Sources Research Guidance Version of Data: 02/16/01 4 Links to Websites Many websites do not provide names and dates but link to sites that do. Examples of these are: • CyndisList. • GENUKI (Genealogy in the United Kingdom and Ireland). • GenDex. • British Isles GenWeb. • Genealogy SiteFinder. Family History Centers Family History Centers have computer databases of compiled records. In addition, a Family History Center may have some compiled sources for local families. Family History Centers can also borrow microfilms and microfiche of compiled sources from the Family History Library. The library charges a small fee to loan microfilm or microfiche to a Family History Center. If a compiled source is not available on microfilm, you may request a photocopy from the Family History Library for a small fee. You will need to fill out a Request for Photocopies form, which is available at Family History Centers. Complete the form with the library call number for the source. Send the form and the fee to the Family History Library. Note that many published sources are copyrighted and cannot be photocopied in their entirety. Family History Centers are located throughout the United States and other areas of the world. For the address of the Family History Center nearest you, see Family History Centers. Family History Library The Family History Library has one of the world's largest collections of compiled research sources and computer databases for Scotland. These include: • International Genealogical Index—available on microfiche, on computer, and on the Internet. It includes information extracted from civil registration and church records of Ireland. You may access the index here by clicking on Search for Ancestors above and then selecting International Genealogical Index. • Ancestral File—available on microfiche, on computer, and on the Internet. It includes information submitted by individuals researching their Irish ancestry. You may access the index here by clicking on Search for Ancestors above and then selecting Ancestral File. • Pedigree Resource File—index only, available on the Internet. The files are on CD and may be purchased online. You may access the index here by clicking on Search for Ancestors above and then selecting the Pedigree Resource File. • Old Parochial Records Index for Scotland—available on microfiche at the library and Family History Centers. • Scottish Church Records Index—available on CD at the library and Family History Centers. • British Isles Vital Records Index—available on CD at the library and many Family History Centers. It can also be purchased online. • Index to the 1881 census of Scotland—available on microfiche and CD at the library and many Family History Centers. It can also be purchased online. • Family History Library Catalog, Surname Search—lists published family histories. You may access the catalog here by clicking on Family History Library Catalog above and then selecting Surname Search. Search for your surname of interest. There is no fee for using the library's collection in person. Sources for Previous Research in the British Isles lists and discusses major compiled sources Scotland, How to Find Compiled Sources Research Guidance Version of Data: 02/16/01 5 available in the Family History Library. Some of these sources are available in other archives and libraries. For information about contacting or visiting the library, click on Family History Library System above. Archives and Libraries Compiled sources are available in archives and libraries throughout the world. Some major archives and libraries include: Scotland • General Register Office. • National Archives of Scotland. • National Library of Scotland. • Scottish Genealogy Society Library. • County record offices. England • The British Library. • Public Record Office. • Society of Genealogists. Australia and New Zealand • National Archives of Australia. • National Archives of New Zealand. • National Library of New Zealand. United States and Canada • The National Archives (U.S.) with regional branches throughout the country. • The Newberry Library. • The Library of Congress. • The New England Historic and Genealogical Society Library. • The National Archives of Canada. You can find addresses for archives and libraries at Ready, 'Net, Go. Select Master List of Archives. Contact the archive or library before you visit to find out what compiled sources are available. Societies Family history and genealogy societies extract and index many records and have collections of research done by their members and others. Every county in Scotland is represented by at least one family history society. Many publish indexes to records as well as journals and periodicals that include compiled research. Click here for a list of family history and genealogy societies in Scotland and links to their web sites.