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.
8 April 2025 (630pm British Time): Exploring the Limits of Autosomal DNA
Cost: £12
Learn about the science behind DNA: this presentation will provide a clearer understanding of the facts that underpin our DNA tests.
Click here for more information.
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10 April 2025 (630pm British Time): My DNA Matches and Me
Cost: £12
In this webinar, you will learn about:
- Top tips for grouping matches.
- Case study: Confirming the identity of my Jewish great-grandfather.
- Case study: Using matches to reconnect a fractured family and identify a lost cousin.
Rather than looking at genetic genealogy through the lens of professional research, you will look at personal family history, and all the unique challenges that come with researching your own genetic lineages.
Click here for more information.
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13 April 2025 (7pm British Time): Jamaican Genealogy – Tracing Back to the 1770s
Cost: £5 – £13.70
In this event, Paul Crooks will use his personal journey as a case study to:
- Reveal how he traced his family’s Black history back to the early 1800s
- Discuss records specific to research into Black ancestry, and other valuable resources
- Share a step-by-step approach to uncovering ancestral records
- Explain challenges encountered in this research and how to overcome them
Click here for more information.
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3 June 2025 (7pm British Time): Researching Your Farming Ancestors and Relatives
Cost: £0
In this two-hour workshop, Ken Nisbet will show what resources can be used to research relatives who were farmworkers and farmers. He will look at how the history of a farm can be researched, and the difference between crofters and farms. He will explain why farm tenancy moved to farm ownership, in particular after the Great War, and how that conflict affected farm operation with a reduction in horse use.
Click here for more information.
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13 June 2025 (2pm British Time): Researching Your Family History 1837 – 1911
Cost: Free
Learn about the key sources available for tracing the lives of your ancestors living in the 19th century.
Exploring civil registration records after 1837 and illustrating the evolution of the census, this webinar will help start your journey into discovering more about your family tree.
Click here for more information.
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What My Customers Say
“Sarah researched my father’s ancestry and did such a good job! She found him relatives he didn’t know he had, and successfully set him on the path to further find out about his family history. Thank you Sarah! Highly recommended!”
Linda from Edinburgh