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:
Starting Your Scottish Family Tree
7 helpful tips to get you started with your family research
A Guide To The ScotlandsPeople Centre
Learn how to use the official government source of genealogical data for Scotland
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.
4 August 2025 (1pm British Time): Unlocking British Military Family History Through Old Photographs
Cost: £10
Join military history expert Graham Bandy on the eve of the 80th anniversary of VJ Day for an exploration of how to trace your British ancestors’ wartime service. Discover how to identify regiments, ranks, and time periods from old family photos, and learn to decode the hidden clues in military dress and insignia,
Click here for more information.
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27 August 2025 (3pm British Time): Navigating the Maps Website
Cost: £0
The National Library of Scotland has updated their website on maps. Learn how to find and make the most of the Library’s maps in this interactive workshop.
Click here for more information.
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28 August 2025 (2pm British Time): Tracing Military Ancestors at The National Archives, London
Cost: £10
If you have soldier, sailor or airmen forebears then you will need to use the records at The National Archives. Actually, you may well have been using them already as many of the key records are already online. But, certainly, not everything. This talk looks at the sources which may never go online. Sources that could well provide additional information about your military ancestors, from physical descriptions to their wartime activities. Finally, the talk will provide an update on the transfer of the Second World War service records from the Ministry of Defence.
Click here for more information.
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2 September 2025 (8pm British Time): The Mirror of Great Britain: A Life of James VI & I
Cost: £10
James VI & I, who died 400 years ago, was one of Britain’s most consequential and interesting monarchs, not least in creating the British monarchy itself by joining the English and Scottish thrones. A major intellectual, James’s preoccupations ranged from witchcraft and theological controversy to hunting, diplomacy, poetry and sartorial fashion.
Click here for more information.
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9 September 2025 (12pm British Time): Trace your Criminal Ancestors
Cost: £10
You will learn how to build a picture of your Victorian criminal ancestors and tell their story.
The talk will cover skills and tips including:
- Using court lists, prison records and criminal registers to learn about your ancestor’s criminal past.
- Making the best use of old newspapers to reveal details of court cases.
- Using other sources to build a picture of your ancestor’s life outside crime.
- Revealing hidden family stories by using criminal tattoos.
- Research your ancestor’s criminal networks or gang membership.
- Visiting Victorian crime scene locations.
- Writing up and telling your criminal ancestor’s story.
Click here for more information.
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12 September 2025 (2pm British Time): Tracing your Railway Ancestors
Cost: £0
Discover a collection that includes maps, plans, stock registers, staff files and accident reports. You’ll also learn how to use records to gain insights into the working lives of railway workers to help you with your family history research.
Click here for more information.
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4 October 2025 (2pm British Time): Border Reivers
Cost: £5
Andrew Armstrong has researched his Border Reivers families for some 30 years, with special interest in the Armstrong families and others who lived in those areas, such as the Elliott, Crozer, Nixon, Henderson, Irving, Bell, Beattie and Little. He has an interest in what happened to the area and the change of tenants in the years following the public hangings and subsequent to the exodus of many families to the Ulster Plantations after 1609.
Click here for more information.
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1 November 2025 (2pm British Time): Scottish Regiments in the British Army
Cost: £5
Ken Nisbet’s talk will cover how the regiments evolved and where to find information about them.
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