The Scottish Genealogy Society
Going to Edinburgh is always a delightful experience and I know before I
arrive that there will probably not be enough time to do all I would
wish. I venture to suggest that is particularly so for anyone intent on
tracing their ancestors in Scotland.
You will surely be torn between visiting the many ancient and historical
sites; visiting the General Records Office to look up births, marriages
and deaths; and visiting the National Library of Scotland to read that
book that cannot be found anywhere else.
Of all the wonderful places to visit however, the Scottish Genealogy
Society and its splendid resources is a must.
Who and where are they?
Founded in 1953, the Society is a registered charity and aims to promote
research into Scottish family history. It is, however, an academic and
consultative society and does not undertake professional research
(although a list of members who are professional researchers can be
supplied).
The Society has its premises and the all important library and Family
History Centre at 15 Victoria Terrace which is in the centre of the Old
Town, close by George IV Bridge, the National Library of Scotland and
the Edinburgh Central Library - a veritable wonderland for the
researcher and all within five minutes walk.
If you have a long suffering spouse who would rather be doing something
else, well the Castle, churches, museums, galleries and shops in
Princes' Street are a short distance away. You can always arrange to
meet for lunch in the crypt cafeteria at St. Giles Cathedral where
excellent fresh food is available at a reasonable price.
The Society premises are a little out of the way, in that you need to be
aware that Victoria Terrace is literally a suspended walkway that goes
round the side of the towering old buildings and above Victoria Street.
On the way along the terrace take the opportunity to look at the
buildings and the very narrow space between them which is so typical of
the old tenement blocks.
Will they have the information I seek?
There are a number of computers, fiche readers and a high quality copier
to use with many fiche, including a major part of the Old Parish
Registers of Scotland (with index of births and marriages), the 1881
Census for all the UK; the Latter Day Saints IGI for the UK, and Glasgow
directories.
The Society is justly proud of having the largest collection of Scottish
gravestone inscriptions in the world. So if you know the Parish and kirk
where your kin are buried there may be a record here. Published
inscriptions are available for purchase and copies of unpublished lists
are available.
The Library itself contains several thousand books, many of them rare
and out of print or limited editions, on a wide range of subjects. Apart
from the usual directories, family histories and biographies there are
works about the trades in which our ancestors engaged, old trade
directories; school and university rolls; and military rolls of honor,
casualty and pensioners lists. There is too a long run of "The
Scotsman" magazine which is a treasure trove for researchers.
Understandably these books are available only at the Centre and cannot
be loaned out.
How many times have we stumbled when trying to find the ship on which
our ancestor sailed to the far shores of America, Canada or Australia?
Of particular interest to visitors from abroad will be a range of books
relating to families in other countries, from Ireland and the
Commonwealth countries that have been donated to the library.
My personal "gold mine" was the cabinet of miscellaneous
research papers donated to the Society which have not otherwise been
bound. It was exhilarating to find notes from Kirk Session records in
the 1600s, and large family trees that must have taken many years to get
together. And on the shelves there are several hundred bound works that
must be looked at, in the hope that someone has already worked on your
line.
Can I make inquiries by post or E-Mail?
Unfortunately the Society does not undertake research for
inquirers and
only has a limited service for members where the information is readily
available in the Library. As a voluntary association the Centre is
staffed by volunteers, usually two at a time, and they simply do not
have the time for research work. If you do enquire of the Society please
be patient, your enquiry will be dealt with as quickly as possible. If
writing to the Society please remember a self addressed stamped envelope
(UK) or include two International Reply Coupons if from abroad.
The contact details of the Center are:
The cost to non-members is £5 UK per day subject to space being
available.
The premises are rather crowded and the Society is actively looking for
larger premises, so a phone call can be helpful before visiting.
What can I buy?
There is a wide range of publications for sale - over 300 titles. A full
list of items, order form and credit card payment facility is at the
Society's web site http://www.scotsgenealogy.com where you will also
find details for applying for membership of the Society.
Preparing to visit, OR:
How you can help the staff help you to get the best from your visit
So far as you can, make a note of the location, county, parish and kirk
relevant to your ancestors, as well as any dates or approximate dates
for significant events such as birth, marriage and death. What sort of
job did the ancestor have? Did they own or rent land? Was their a will
leaving estate to another relative? Are there any family stories which
mention Scottish places? This will help to focus on the location, the
correct registration district and enumeration district for your ancestor
in such as the Census records, and make the best use of the resources
that are available.
Don't forget that the Society collects printed books, manuscripts,
periodicals, journals, microfilm, microfiche, CDs and welcomes gifts and
genealogical collections. If you haven't thought about it before, you
may care to remember the Society as a home for your Scottish family
history. Someone, sometime will be grateful to you.
Summary
You may have seen the look of wonderment on a child's face when she
opens up that birthday or Christmas present. It was my actual birthday
the day following my visit but when I saw the wide range of resources
available in the Centre I felt as if I had had all my birthdays at once.
I just wanted to sit down there and then read, read, read.
So be warned, there probably will not be enough time to read or examine
all you want in a short visit; a half a day possibly. But £5UK for a
full day is extraordinarily good value and you should take advantage of
it.
I would add my thanks to Ainslie Crawford who kindly showed me round on
my visit and the Council of the Society for permission to take photos
and write about the Scottish Genealogy Society.
Article and photographs contributed by Brian Orr,
Member of The Guild of One Name Studies
Email: orr@one-name.org,
http://www.scotsgenealogy.com
Reprinted with Permission.
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