Name-rich documents that you won’t find on ScotlandsPeople
Family histories
The Scottish Genealogy Society Library in Edinburgh holds a collection of published and unpublished family and clan histories, more than 100 family trees, and many boxes of donated family papers. These are all catalogued and mostly surname-indexed. Success will be more likely if your ancestor was a person of means.
Kirk session minutes
If your ancestor attended the Established Church of Scotland, you will probably find a mention of them or their family in these registers, whether renting a seat, attending communion, being a church elder or being chastised by the kirk session. The minutes are only accessible via the ‘Virtual Volumes’ at the National Records of Scotland, although there are plans to make them available online.
Land register
Find out about the history of the ownership of a property with the Registers of Scotland at the NRS in Edinburgh. There is a fee, but you will receive a history of the building from the time its title was granted. You can request a search online or by post, but it’s best to visit in person so you can sit beside the person doing the search and advise them. Find out more on the website at bit.ly/ros-search.
Testaments after 1925
For confirmations, inventories and wills between 1925 and 2000, visit the Historical Search Room at the National Records of Scotland. For 2000 onwards, head to the Commissary Department within Edinburgh Sheriff Court.