Finding Scots


The first place to search is the IGI (International Genealogical Index): http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true

Start with a bit of information, and only enter more details to narrow down your search results.

Usually the indexed baptisms and marriage information are part of the IGI. If you have searched the IGI without success for your person of interest, searching the Old Parish Register (OPR) indexes and OPRs themselves is still useful, in case they were missed. Baptisms and marriages in the OPRs can be searched using a computerized index, either on a county basis or searching over the whole country. The index gives the reference number for the relevant microfilm roll together with the frame number (page), allowing you to go directly to the record you are interested in, once you order in the OPR film.

You can access the Old Parish Registers online, by opening an account at http://www.scotsorigins.com/. However, you must find the record you want in the IGI first, then pay them to transcribe the record. Scotland's People has an index of Scottish births 1553-1903, marriages 1553-1928, deaths 1855-1953, Wills and Testaments from 1513-1901, and indexed census data 1841-1901. Again, you find your record in the indexes, then order a copy of the original record. Sometimes Scotland's People has records that were missed in the IGI, and thus not available through Scot's Origins.

Or, it costs about $5.50 to order the film you want to your local FHC. If you search the OPR yourself, you can find collateral relatives too. You can also consult the indexes to baptisms and marriages on microfiche and CD-ROM in the FHC. Be aware that the computerized versions are merely indexes, and you should always consult the film of the OPRs themselves.

The birth/baptism/christening index usually contain the individual's name, parent's name, event, date of event, parish, county, and film reference numbers. The marriage index usually contains the husband and wife's name, date of marriage, parish and county, and reference numbers. From the reference number you can order the microfilm which may or may not contain more information. The OPRs vary widely in quality and completeness. For more information about using your local FHC, see: http://valoriez.blogspot.com/2004/07/your-local-family-history-center.html

A new source of digitized death records is the McKirdy Index of Scottish Death Records 1855-1875. Rather than the church records, these are the indexed civil records. http://www.mckirdyindex.co.nz

Was he a minister? Check out Scottish Ministers Index (Fasti ecclesiae Scoticanae): http://www.dwalker.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Ministers%20Index.htm

Scottish Maps: http://valoriez.blogspot.com/2004/01/scottish-maps.html

Scotland Research Links: http://valoriez.blogspot.com/2003/12/scotland.html

Also, Using Batch Numbers and the IGI: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/11/using-batch-numbers-and-igi.html

Make the Family History Library Catalog SING for you: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/03/make-family-history-library-catalog.html


Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe. - Slim Aitken

Comments

Gordon Johnson said…
Your description of finding aids fails to mention the main reasons for people not being found.
These are:
1.The OPRs are only Church of Scotland registers. Your family may have been members of the Roman Catholic, Congregational, Scottish Episcopal, Baptist, or Quaker traditions, or one of the secession churches (offshoots of the Church of Scotland.
2. The OPRs are NOT complete. Many parishes have entire volumes missing, others have damaged pages where entries are unreadable.
3. Misreading. The indexes depend on accurate reading of the original, and this is not always the case: errors are still being found.
Similar problems exists for the Census records, and some transcriptions are notorious for their errors (e.g. Ancestry).
In all cases, try to get to read the original entries, and not just the indexes.
5:54 PM
Valorie said…
Very thoughtful of Gordon to mention why one might search the indexes, or even the microfilms, and not find some of the people you think should be there. The history of religious splits is quite complicated in Scotland, and many records have failed to survive. He correctly points out that indexes are only pointers to the original records, which must alway be consulted.
1:27 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Genealogy and Genetics

Our DNA does not fade like an ancient parchment; it is not rust in the ground like the sword of a warrior long dead. It is not eroded by wind or rain, nor reduced to ruin by fire and earthquake. It is the traveler from an antique land who lives within us all. - Dr. Bryan Sykes, in The Seven Daughters of Eve Famous DNA lists DNA Haplotypes (DNA signatures) for famous, or infamous, people: http://www.isogg.org/famousdna.htm International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG) , new non-profit promoting greater understanding of the uses of DNA within genealogy, and support network for genetic genealogists. No dues, no treasury, donated web server space and donations. Side-by-side comparison charts of Y-chromosome and mtDNA testing services: http://www.isogg.org">http://www.isogg.org . Journal of Genetic Genealogy : http://www.jogg.info/ Genetealogy - Using DNA testing to learn about your genealogy and family history : http://www.genetealogy.com/ Andy's Guide to DNA in Family ...
Read more

Elias Henry BAYSINGER, Wives and Children

Image
Elias Henry Baysinger was born 26 Dec 1832 in Breckinridge Co. Kentucky, son of Peter Baysinger and Elizabeth RICE . Warren county Iowa Advocate Tribune 9-30-1886 reports death of pioneer Peter Baysinger in Weede Co. Colorado on Sept 9, 1886. Reportedly buried Sedalia, Colorado, Bear Canyon Cemetery. Elizabeth 1840 Census 1850 Census Elias married 1. Margaret JONES, 9 July 1854 in Warren Co. Iowa (Certificate #11, William P. Jenkins, J.P.). *Does anyone have any information about Margaret Jones - who her family were, when and where she was born, where she lived after the divorce, and when and where she died?* Cousin Terri says that they were in Kansas 1854-1860, and that the couple was divorced 1858 in Kansas. Larry Payne wrote to the Baysinger list with this information, "An article in the March 2, 1858 issue of the Freeman's Champion of Prairie City, Kansas states PETITION for DIVORCE - Elias H. Baysinger vs Margaret E. Baysinger Defendant absent for more than two y...
Read more

Alsace

Alsace (Ger. Elsass) is now two French departéments, Bas-Rhin [67] (Lower Rhine) & Haut-Rhin [68] (Upper Rhine). The Territory of Belfort [90] is sometimes also included. The Territory of Belfort was formerly part of Haut-Rhin. From 1789 (French Revolution) to 1871, the Departément of the Territory of Belfort didn't exist, because it was included in the department of Haut-Rhin. After the war in 1870-1871, all of Alsace was annexed by Germany except the region of Belfort, which became the "Territory of Belfort" (departément n° 90) in France. After World War I (1918), Alsace became part of France, but the Territory of Belfort remained a separate departément. So, if you have an ancestor who lived 1789-1871 in Haut-Rhin, check for records in the Territory of Belfort. In general, the Alsace was French 1648-1871, German 1871-1918, French 1918-1940, German 1940-1945, French since 1945. A short timeline-table, called Alsace-Lorraine — an Enclave of Ethnic Germans ...
Read more