Good Scottish genealogy research is much more than finding vital records and census returns at Scotland’s People. Scotland has a rich history and there are many sources of information to help the family historian with Scottish roots. These books can help you with your quest, whether you are new to Scottish research or a seasoned veteran.
Tracing Your Scottish Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians
If you are familiar with Robert Maxwell’s book “Tracing Your Irish Ancestors”, this one is in the same format. The first half of the book is an overview of Scottish social history which is great at giving your research some context. The second half looks at the record sets available to the researcher, both online and in physical archives. As well as looking at vital records and census returns, the book also covers land records, deeds, Church records, school records, military records, taxation records, business records as well as clans and tartans and Scottish DNA. This book is great for the person just starting their Scottish research journey.
Tracing Your Scottish Ancestors: The Official Guide Seventh edition
This is the “official” guide to Scottish ancestor research, published by the National Archives of Scotland. It takes you through the records they hold plus a section on internet research. There is also a chapter explaining, step by step, how to get the most out of records of births, marriages and wills.
The Original Scots Colonists of Early America, 1612-1783
Around 150,000 Scots emigrated to America before the War of Independence. Genealogists have found it difficult to research these settlers as records in the US from this period are sparse. However, David Dobson has gone back to Scotland and England and searched the archives there and found a lot of information on these people. The following records were used in this research: family and estate papers, testamentary and probate records, burgh muniments, sasine and deed registers, Sheriff’s Court records, Court of Session and High Court of Judiciary records, port books, customs registers, contemporary diaries and journals, contemporary newspapers and magazines, professional and university records, Privy Council and colonial records, records of Episcopalian and Presbyterian churches, monumental inscription lists, and the 1774-75 Register of Emigrants.
Discover Your Scottish Ancestry: Internet and Traditional Resources Paperback
This book looks in detail at the primary and secondary sources of information for the Scottish researcher. There are also a number of illustrative case studies which show the benefits of using certain records. Physical archives as well as online databases are looked at.
The Scots: A Genetic Journey
In this new edition of The Scots: A Genetic Journey, Alistair Moffat explores the history that is printed on our genes, and in a remarkable new approach, uncovers the detail of where we are from, who we are and, in so doing, vividly paints a DNA map of Scotland.
Tracing your Scottish Ancestry Third Edition
Packed with information and advice on basic research techniques, this book focuses on the holdings of the two principal Scottish record repositories, the General Register Office at New Register House and the Scottish Record Office, both in Edinburgh. It shows you what records are available and how to access them.
Scottish Genealogy – Bruce Durie
Bruce Durie is a leading academic and writer on Scottish genealogy. A new fourth edition of his popular work will be released on 1st April and can be pre-ordered now. He shows in detail how you can make the most of the rich resources available in Scotland. This is a must have book for anyone serious about Scottish genealogy.
The Scottish Clans – Over 300 Clans Featured
Produced by ScotClans, Scotland’s largest Clan resource ‘The Scottish Clans’ features brief histories of over 300 Clans and Armigerous families from all over Scotland. Discover the events that have shaped your Clan and hear about the people who form part of your Scottish ancestry.
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I’ve bought and reviewed copies of books about Montgomery’s only to find no ancestors. So I am a little tainted and don’t wish to buy complete books to only find that there are no ancestors. My brother (now deceased) paid a man in Scotland to do some research. My brother supplied some information back to 1650 a John Montgomery in Ayshire. When he got the research he was sent a copy of what information he, my brother had supplied. The most information I’ve found was the, I believe, the very last page of the Montgomery Manuscripts. Which my great Uncle George Montgomery supplied. No, I could not ask any of these people as all Grandparents were dead by the time I was born as were their siblings. Two brothers came to American in 1774 from Ayrshire, Scotland their Grandfather had moved there from Ireland. My dad’s second cousin said our line started with George Montgomery the #? Earl of Skelimorie. I could not find any connection and my dad’s cousin is also dead (1970) My parents dead also. I am 73 and been at this for over 50 years. Yes I belong to the Montgomery Clan Society but the information they have has been supplied by my family. I have started family trees on all the genealogy sites and gain no additional information about the related Montgomery. I would have no problem investing in another book if there was any pertinent information in it.
Thanks for your comment James
Both of my Grandmother’s were Scots .
Maternal – Stewart
Paternal – Kerr & Liddle
Went to Germany 15 yrs ago and connected with my German relatives. Would like to do that in Scotland, but not sure where to start.
A good place to start would be to try and find the birth records of your grandmothers. If they were born in Scotland after 1855, then you should be able to find their civil birth records on: https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ . These records should give you lots of useful information about their parents including where they were living.
Good luck!
I’m searching for an ancestor named Robert Wilson (or Willson) who came to America in 1767. He was born after his father died and was raised by his grandmother. He married Agnes Oliver in Maryland and then moved with her and her parents to Northern Virginia. He died in 1802 (or 1803) and I would like to know where he is buried in the Bath or Augusta County areas. He was Presbyterian and could have been interred in a cemetery at a Presbyterian Church in Northern Virginia. Please let me know if you have any identification on this ancestor..
I don’t have any information on your ancestor. I would suggest you check out the Family Search Research Wiki for Virginia to find links and information on what’s available for that state: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Virginia,_United_States_Genealogy