Statutory Births Deaths and Marriages
Since 1855, all births, deaths and marriages in Scotland have needed to be officially registered.
This system of Statutory Registration provides the basis for Scottish genealogical research after 1855. These records are the building blocks of genealogical research. Find out more about the information that these records contain...
Census
A census is an official survey to provide information about the population of the country. The first census in Scotland was in 1801, and they have been conducted every 10 years since. For the genealogist the first four censuses are not terribly useful, as in only a very few cases were individuals named. Since 1841, however, the census has attempted to list every person in Scotland, along with such information as age, birthplace and occupation. Census records are kept private for 100 years: the returns presently available to examine are 1841-1911.
Old Parochial Registers
These were registers kept by local parishes of the Church of Scotland. The oldest registers date back to the 16th century, but records for some parishes begin in the 17th century. Baptisms, Burials and Marriages were recorded in these church books which may or may not have survived today. The information given in the registers varies greatly over time and from parish to parish, but is generally much less than the later Statutory Registers.
Records from other religious groups may have survived. These groups also kept similar registers, which again vary with time, location and according to the group concerned.
Since 1855, all births, deaths and marriages in Scotland have needed to be officially registered.
This system of Statutory Registration provides the basis for Scottish genealogical research after 1855. These records are the building blocks of genealogical research. Find out more about the information that these records contain...
Census
A census is an official survey to provide information about the population of the country. The first census in Scotland was in 1801, and they have been conducted every 10 years since. For the genealogist the first four censuses are not terribly useful, as in only a very few cases were individuals named. Since 1841, however, the census has attempted to list every person in Scotland, along with such information as age, birthplace and occupation. Census records are kept private for 100 years: the returns presently available to examine are 1841-1911.
Old Parochial Registers
These were registers kept by local parishes of the Church of Scotland. The oldest registers date back to the 16th century, but records for some parishes begin in the 17th century. Baptisms, Burials and Marriages were recorded in these church books which may or may not have survived today. The information given in the registers varies greatly over time and from parish to parish, but is generally much less than the later Statutory Registers.
Records from other religious groups may have survived. These groups also kept similar registers, which again vary with time, location and according to the group concerned.
