Family history

Start your family history search

You can begin your family history with information you already have. Write down everything you know about your parents, grandparents and other relatives such as brothers, sisters, aunts and uncles. Family records like diaries, school reports and photographs can also help. If you have photos, make sure you know who is in them.

Keep a note of where each piece of information came from. This will help you check details later. Many people find it useful to sketch a simple family tree to keep relationships clear.

Try to confirm any information you are told verbally, as dates and details can be easy to mix up over time.

Using records after 1855

Birth and marriage certificates

Start with your own birth certificate. It shows when and where you were born, your parents’ names if known and usually their occupations if known at the time.

Next if applicable, get a copy of your parents’ marriage certificate. This gives their ages, jobs, addresses, parents’ names and other useful details. If not then their birth certificates will have similar information. You can buy copies of birth, death and marriage certificates by ordering them online.

We also offer assisted searches at the Registration office. Our staff can help you find the records you need. Contact us to make an appointment.

Before your appointment, write a list of the documents you want to view and the specific information you hope to find.

Death certificates

Deaths after 1855 are indexed by name, including a married woman’s maiden name. Death certificates usually show the date, place and cause of death, age, occupation, spouse details and parents’ details. Staff at the Registration office can help you search if you bring what you already know.

You can also search records at Scotland's People

Census records

Censuses are carried out every ten years from 1841 then released every 100 years and can help you see whole families living together at one address. These show names, ages, birthplaces, jobs and other relatives living within the same address. They are available on microfilm in some libraries, however our staff can access most census years by computer.

Newspapers

Local newspapers often reported community events, prize winners, society members and obituaries. Your library may be able to help you search these indexes.