Explore your Scottish ancestry with practical, beginner-friendly guides. From understanding records and regions to using sites like Scotland’s People, this category is packed with helpful content for anyone tracing Scottish family roots, wherever you are in the world.
If your family lived in Hamilton, Motherwell, Wishaw, Blantyre, Uddingston or Larkhall in the early 1900s, the Lanarkshire Tramways Company was part of their daily world. For nearly thirty years … Lanarkshire Tramways history: how trams shaped everyday lifeRead more
You’ve hit a brick wall. You’ve found an ancestor on a census, but their life that brought them to that point is a complete mystery. You have a name, maybe … How Poor Law Records helped me understand my ancestor’s storyRead more
When you think about your Scottish ancestors, you probably imagine hardworking people in bustling communities. But did you know that many miners and salt workers in Scotland lived under a … Unearthing Scotland’s hidden history of servitudeRead more
We have all struggled to track a female ancestor or wondered why the same names appear over and over again in our family tree. Scottish and Irish naming traditions can … Understanding Scottish and Irish maiden namesRead more
If you’re tracing your Scottish ancestors, one of the best places to start is with BMD records, that’s short for births, marriages, and deaths. These official records offer the key … A guide to Scottish BMD recordsRead more
If you’ve dipped your toes into Scottish family history, you may already know that census records are goldmines of information. But the 1911 Scottish census is a little different. It’s … The 1911 Scottish census: a closer look at your ancestors’ livesRead more
If you’re researching Scottish ancestors from before 1855, parish records will likely be your best (and sometimes only) source of information. But what exactly is a parish record, and what … What’s in a Scottish parish record? A beginner’s guideRead more
If you’ve ever searched the census and noticed a missing ancestor, or discovered one listed in an unexpected place, you might have come across a prison record without even realising … Was your ancestor in prison? How to spot it in the censusRead more
If you’ve started tracing your Scottish ancestors, you’ll quickly come across census records. And while all census years are helpful, the 1901 Scottish census holds a special charm. It gives … The 1901 Scottish census: a window into everyday lifeRead more
How to get the most from Scotland’s People without spending a penny (yet) If you’re just getting started with Scottish family history, chances are you’ve heard of Scotland’s People. It’s … Scotland’s People on a budget: free ways to use a paid siteRead more
