Archives

If you’re researching your family history or want to learn more about local places and people, there are several helpful services across South Lanarkshire and beyond. You can contact your local library, book specialist support, or explore online collections.

Local libraries

Our main libraries have large collections on local and family history. You can visit or get in touch with the reference teams for help.

• East Kilbride Central Library
• Hamilton Town House Library
• Lanark Library
• Rutherglen Library

Family history support

Our Licensing and Registration Service offers a paid family history service. You can book an appointment to get help tracing your Scottish family records.

Cemetery records

Our Bereavement Services team holds records for cemeteries across South Lanarkshire. If you are looking for burial information, please contact them and provide as much background information as you can. 

Online research tools

You can explore archive collections from across Scotland through Your Scottish Archives.

You can also search national family history records, images and timelines at Scotland’s People.

Records held in Glasgow

Glasgow City Archives keeps a large collection of historic records, including some relating to South Lanarkshire. These include material from the former County of Lanark and the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen.