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.
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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9 June 2025 (6.30pm British Time): Genealogy for our Descendants
Cost: £10
What if your story became your greatest legacy?
• We are the first digital ancestors—but in the flood of files and photos, the essence of who we are can vanish.
• Your great-grandchildren won’t search for your resume. They’ll long to hear your voice, read your thoughts, feel your laugh.
• This is your chance to leave more than data—leave yourself.
Click here for more information.
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12 June 2025 (2pm British Time): Navigating the Maps Website of the National Library of Scotland (NLS)
Cost: £0
The online NLS maps is a major resource with more than 270,000 historical maps available to view.
Discover how to find maps and use various tools to help you measure or view them in a specific way. This online workshop is hands-on, so be ready to visit the maps website and build your skills.
Click here for more information.
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13 June 2025 (2pm British Time): Researching Your Family History 1837 – 1911
Cost: £0
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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17 June 2025 (11am British Time): Highlands and Islands Family History
Cost: £0
This is an introductory online talk covering the family history resources available at the National Library of Scotland. There will be a special focus on sources relating to ancestors from the Highlands and Islands.
Click here for more information.
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17 June 2025 (6pm British Time): Early Scottish Settlers in Ontario
Cost: £0
This is an online webinar on the Early Scottish Settlers to Ontario by the Scottish Special Interest Group of The Ontario Genealogical Society.
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