SCOTTISH aNCeSTRY RESEARCH
Alex Haley, author of ‘Roots’.
“In all of us there is a hunger marrow deep to know our heritage- to know who we are and where we came from. Without this enriching knowledge there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainment in life there is still a vacuum, an emptiness and the most disquieting loneliness.”
The Mackintosh family in 1921, my maternal line which I traced back to 1770s
What can I expect? Well how long is a piece of string? On average one can trace a Scottish family tree back to between 1750-1780. Why? Well prior to 1855 not everything was recorded or survived. Also it depends where in Scotland the family came from. Some rural area records begin in early 19th century, others 16th century.
“The result therefore, of this physical enquiry is that we find no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an end”
Each project and family story is unique and one can never know what material has been recorded or survives. Many have used the internet to access the increasingly growing number of indexes and digitised records. However, there are several resources that still require local detective work and knowledge of the area.
Genealogy is a great hobby and I learn something new everyday. Some enquiries will be seeking one particular piece of information, others have hit a brick wall and perhaps a new set of eyes can find a way through.
Perhaps you just want a family tree done for yourself or a birthday, wedding gift?
Whether a complete beginner or more experienced researcher I can offer further assistance.
Trace a family tree
Break down a family history brick wall
Locate and copy genealogy records not available on the internet.
With only a few details of an individual born, married or died in Scotland, it is possible to begin to compile a family tree. Scottish birth, marriage and death registration became compulsory in 1855 and census returns survive from 1841-1921.
