An Introduction To Genealogy

The study of Family History
Help with finding your Ancestors

Many people starting to look at their ancestry secretly hope that they may discover that they are descended from or related to royalty or to some romantic figure from the past. In reality, most researchers find that this is not the case but the results of their research are always extremely interesting. It makes one realise the hardships that our ancestors were subjected to.

When you look around at our present comfortable existence it makes you think that, in comparison, our ancestors had quite a hard life. You may find your ancestors were forced out of their homes during the Highland Clearances (or the Irish equivalent), the Irish Famine, or died during the many epidemics of Cholera, Scarlet Fever, Consumption etc    However you will also find stories of happiness and realise that in times of hardship there can be fun and laughter.

Budding Genealogists have plenty of choice on where to research and lots of  material to browse through. See Geneinfo page

Much can be done by yourself, using the facilities of the large network of family history centres run by the Mormon church primarily for their own members but open to everyone -  free of charge - but you will have to book.  They can borrow microfilm of the parish registers and census records you need, but not much of the statutory registers are available this way. If you live in the UK, most large libraries and some family history societies have lots of family history material for their area on microfilm. You don't always have to go to Edinburgh to see the originals.

Have a look at the Scots Origins service on the Internet - see Geneinfo. It offers on-line access to the indexes to Church of Scotland baptisms and marriages pre-1855, and to the Civil Registration indexes 1855-1897 (the cut-off date is 100 years back). The 1881 census indexes are also available.

You see only INDEXES, with less detail than on the indexes at the Mormon centres, and still have to order certificate copies at around £10.00 each.

It can sometimes be cheaper to use a local researcher who can check all the indexes, and can also get photocopies of certificates over 100 years old at a reduced rate. They can also make sure it is the right certificate if you want specific parents.

If you need certificates the best solution can be to find copies held by family members, and photocopy them!   Scottish Marriage certificates were almost unique in that they gave the parents of both parties, including the maiden surnames of both mothers. Best year for detail on certificates is 1855, worst are 1856-l860. Prior to 1855, your main source is the registers of the Church of Scotland (Old Parochial Registers), all on microfilm. Census records with people's names as a regular matter begin in l841, and the most recent open to the public is 1891 (there is a 100 year embargo on this type of information). All are available on microfilm.

Happy Hunting!!