Genealogy Resources: Steps In Time

Researching Your Scottish Ancestors

Are you running into brick walls researching your Scottish ancestors? If so, you are not alone. It has been said, though I cannot attest to the fact, that Scottish research is the most difficult of any you may undertake.

No doubt one of the great areas of difficulty is due to the 1841 census (which did not identify family relationships) and to the 1851 census (in which some years are missing altogether). Add to this the fact that some parishes did not keep death records, and you could find yourself up the proverbial creek!

It is good to begin your research by gaining an understanding of the Scottish naming system:

- The second son is named after the father

- The third son is named after the mother's father

- The first daughter is named after the mother's mother

- The second daughter is named after the mother

- The third daughter is named after the father's mother

As always exceptions exist, and generally speaking naming customs came with our ancestors. The younger sons and daughters were named after older gererations of aunts and uncles, and the same system was used by them. Naming customs used by Scottish families is of great importance in Scottish research.

There is an excellent publication "Outline - Scottish Research" available in the genealogical section of public libraries. It gives all of the problems associated with your research in easy to understand outline form. Addresses are included for helpful sources. This should be on your must-get list at the beginning, or do so now, if you have already begun.

Listed below are books which are extremely helpful in doing Scottish research:

BOOKS:

1. In Search of Scottish Ancestry by Gerald Hamilton-Edwards, Genealogical Publishing Co.,Baltimore. 1972.

2. The Clan Gordon by Jean Dunlop, Johnston and Bacon Pub., Edinburgh and London. 1965.

REFERENCE BOOKS:

1. Scottish Family History (1930) by Margaret Stewart

2. Surnames of Scotland (1946) by G. F. Black

REGISTRAR GENERAL, New Register House, Edinburgh 2:

available are records on births, deaths, marriages, and wills from 1855. Also, census records from 1841,1851, 1861, 1871, 1881 and 1891

HERALDRY and OFFICIAL PEDIGREES:

Court and Office of the Lord Lyon, H.M., Register House, Edinburgh 2. Here you may obtain official records of rights to Scottish armorial bearings and legally established genealogies. Records preferably through heralds, searchers, or solicitors, on payment of fee.

SCOTS ANCESTRY RESEARCH SOCIETY, 20 York Place, Edinburgh 1:

non-profit-making, and will assist overseas inquiries upon a registration fee of $3.00; investigation and reports costs are extra.

CHANNEL ISLANDS RESEARCH:

the Channel Islands have their own ecclesiastical land, probate, and civil registers; for information contact States Building, St. Helier, Jersey and at the Greffe, Guernsey.

ISLE OF MAN RESEARCH:

Registrar General,Government Office, Isle of Man. There is a fee

REFERENCE BOOKS:

1. The Genealogist's Guide by G.W. Marshall (1903)

2. Homes of Family Names in Great Britian by Guppy (1890)

3. A Bibliographyof Ship Passenger Lists 1538-1825 by A.H. Lancour(New York 1963)

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