Archives

Burgh records

You can explore a wide range of historic burgh records from across South Lanarkshire. These records can help you research local history, family history or the development of your community. We hold records for Biggar, East Kilbride, Hamilton and the Royal Burgh of Lanark. Records for the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen are available at Glasgow City Archives.

Burgh records cover many areas of local life, including housing, licensing, local courts, building control and property valuation.

East Kilbride Burgh records

Available at our Archives and Records Centre:

minutes from 1963 to 1975
Licensing Court records from 1967 to 1973
Burgh Court records from 1963 to 1975
Dean of Guild Court register from 1964 to 1975
annual accounts from 1964 to 1974
administrative records from 1959 to 1975

Hamilton Burgh records

Available at our Archives and Records Centre:

Town Clerk’s records from 1843 to 1926
treasurer’s records, including valuation and assessment rolls, from 1909 to 1961
Burgh Surveyor’s records from 1857 to 1953
Waterworks Superintendent Records from 1900 to 1946
water official notices register from 1930 to 1943
Common Good day books from 1928 to 1951
roads and bridges accounts and day books from 1925 to 1952
works department cash and day books from 1927 to 1946
Water Works records from 1910 to 1951
lighting department accounts from 1935 to 1953
Air Raid Precaution records from 1939 to 1950
plans from 1933 to 1947

Biggar Burgh records

These are held at Lanark Library:

Commissioner of Police minutes from 1863 to 1906
Town Council minutes from 1906 to 1962
valuation and assessment rolls from 1939 to 1940 and 1964 to 1965

Royal Burgh of Lanark

Available at our Archives and Records Centre:

minutes from 1488 to 1674
letter books from 1845 to 1956
accounts and financial records from 1721 to 1974
valuation and assessment rolls from 1938 to 1973
Commissioners of Police minutes from 1855 to 1900
Magistrates’ minutes from 1902 to 1940

Royal Burgh of Rutherglen

These records are held by Glasgow City Archives:

minutes from 1619 to 1975
burgh charters from 1542 to 1617
court records from the 1600s to the 1900s
building records from 1870 to 1975
financial records from the 1600s
admissions of burgesses from 1620 to 1975
electoral registers from 1832 to 1931
valuation rolls from 1864 to 1975
Records of Weavers from 1641 to 1866
Records of Masons and Wrights from 1636 to 1758