Scottish Genealogy Guides & Resources
Here are some handy family history guides and useful websites to help you find your Scottish ancestry.
Family History Made Easy
Join me each month to learn more about your Scottish family history.
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Scottish Surnames
Do you have a Scottish family name and you would like to find out more about its origins, meaning, history and lots of other interesting information?
Click here to visit my growing resource on Scottish Surnames.
I’m aiming to grow this directory of surnames each month, hopefully you will find it useful.
Handy Guides
Download one of these handy free guides to help you grow your family tree:
Useful Websites
Here is a selection of websites that can help you with your Scottish family history research:
Ancestry
is one the largest genealogical database available online. Many Scottish records have been indexed and there is a 14-day free trial.
British Newspaper Archive
Many Scottish newspapers have been digitised and your ancestor may appear in an article, family notice or obituary.
Visit British Newspaper Archive here.
Family Search
is free to register and it has a huge collection of worldwide records, inluding Scottish records. Visit Family Search here.FindmyPast
With over 2 billion records, this genealogical database has indexed Scottish records that may help with your search. You can try their website for free for 14-days.
Forces War Records
Forces War Records is the military genealogy specialist website for the UK, including Scotland. Visit Forces War Records here.GENES REUNITED
Genes Reunited is an online genealogy website with a database of thousands of documents allowing you to build a family tree.
Go to Genes Reunited for more information.
NOT FORGOTTEN
Archive your memories and stories professionally. Create a unique online memorial for your loved one and secure your memories in a real library.
ScotlandsPeople
The ScotlandsPeople website is the official Scottish Government site for searching government records and archives. Visit ScotlandsPeople here.Here is a handy guide on useful websites to help you research your Scottish ancestry.
Upcoming Family History Virtual Events
Just scroll down to find a date that suits you. By the way, this is regularly updated so keep checking.
3 February 2025 (6.30pm British Time): What was going on? Find your Scottish stories
Cost: £12
Behind the names and the dates you can often find a story. In her presentation family history researcher Mary Evans will look at useful and colourful resources that can add insights to your ancestors’ lives. Who would have known, for instance, that the reporting in a local newspaper, about a group of gambling children, with a taste for gingerbread, would have led to the smashing of a family history brickwall centuries later?
Click here for more information.
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6 February 2025 (6.30pm British Time): Scottish directories: a source for people, places, trades and professions
Cost: £12
Directories include information on trades and professions in an area, listing local clubs, churches and schools. They often give names and show information on transportation and local holidays.
In short, if you want a picture of what a town or city provided to its residents, a directory is a great place to start.
Hundreds of digitized Scottish directories will be explored along with innovative online tools combining maps and directory data.
Click here for more information.
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11 February 2025 (6.30pm British Time): Caledonian Petitions Society
Cost: £12
Explore the plight of destitute children in post-Napoleonic War London through a fascinating collection of records, shedding light on their families and struggles.
Click here for more information.
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12 February 2025 (.30pm British Time): Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade, 1649–1660
Cost: £0 – £15
After the execution of Charles I, ‘dangerous’ monarchy was abolished and the House of Lords was dismissed, sending shockwaves across the kingdom. These revolutionary acts set in motion a decade of bewildering change and instability, under the leadership of the soldier-statesman Oliver Cromwell.
England’s unique republican experiment – imposed on Scotland and Ireland, too – may have been short-lived, but had a lasting impact on British monarchy, politics, religion and culture.
Click here for more information.
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26 February 2025 (6.30pm British Time): Scotland’s People: Beyond Birth, Death and Marriage records
Cost: £12
Scotland’s People is the official Scottish Government website for searching government records and archives and is run by National Records of Scotland.
The statutory registers of old parish registers of births, deaths and marriages are often the first records people search when exploring their family on the Scotland’s People site.
Click here for more information.
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6 – 8 March 2025 (all day): RootsTech Conference
Cost: Free Online
- 200+ new online sessions in over 26 languages
- Join keynote sessions live from the comfort of your own home
- Chat online with other attendees worldwide
- Get digital syllabi and class handouts
Click here for more information.
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