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Scotland Civil Registration: Difference between revisions
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The government records of births, marriages, and deaths in Scotland | The government records of births, marriages, and deaths in Scotland are known as "Statutory Registers". These records are an excellent source of names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Since they are indexed and cover most of the population, these records are important resources for genealogical research. | ||
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== Historical Background == | == Historical Background == | ||
Prior to 1855, [[Scotland Church Records|Church Records]] are the primary genealogical source for Scotland, recording baptisms, marriages and burials. | Prior to 1855, [[Scotland Church Records|Church Records]] are the primary genealogical source for Scotland, recording baptisms, marriages and burials. These registers are often of limited detail. | ||
On '''1 January 1855''' civil birth, marriage, and death registrations began, known as "Statutory Registers". The old civil parishes became Registration Districts by which the records were organised. | On '''1 January 1855''' civil birth, marriage, and death registrations began, known as "Statutory Registers". The old civil parishes became Registration Districts by which the records were organised. Registrars were appointed in every parish in Scotland. The registrars sent one copy of the register to the General Register Office in Edinburgh annually. Divorces were not covered until 1984. <br> | ||
It was in '''2002''' that | It was in '''2002''' that [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ ScotlandsPeople] (the primary website for Scotland research where you can search civil registration, census records, parish records, and probate indexes and view the images for a fee) went online, forever changing the method of locating and obtaining these records. Previous to this time it was necessary to use microfilmed indexes, correspond with the General Register Office, or hire a researcher at the General Register Office. There was also the option of using the microfilm collection of FamilySearch which has filmed records from 1855 to 1875. Now at [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ ScotlandsPeople] one can search the indexes and obtain a digital copy of the record for a small fee within minutes. | ||
== Statutory Registers of Births, Marriages, Deaths == | == Statutory Registers of Births, Marriages, Deaths == | ||
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If the child was illegitimate, the record does not give the father’s name unless the father gave his permission and acknowledged the child. In that case, the child is registered under the father’s surname and the word “illegitimate” appears after the child’s name. The use of word "illegitimate" was ended in 1918. | If the child was illegitimate, the record does not give the father’s name unless the father gave his permission and acknowledged the child. In that case, the child is registered under the father’s surname and the word “illegitimate” appears after the child’s name. The use of word "illegitimate" was ended in 1918. | ||
=== Marriages === | === Marriages === | ||
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For more information on civil registration records and laws, see: | For more information on civil registration records and laws, see: | ||
Bisset-Smith, G.T. ''Vital Registration: A Manual of the Law and Practice''. Edinburgh, Scotland: William Green & | Bisset-Smith, G.T. ''Vital Registration: A Manual of the Law and Practice''. Edinburgh, Scotland: William Green & Sons, 1902. (available on [https://archive.org/details/b28086181 Archive.org]) | ||
You can find other guides to civil registration records in the | You can find other guides to civil registration records in the Place Search of the [https://www.familysearch.org/catalog/search FamilySearch Catalog] under the heading: SCOTLAND - CIVIL REGISTRATION. | ||
===Divorces=== | ===Divorces=== | ||
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== Accessing Scotland Statutory Registers == | == Accessing Scotland Statutory Registers == | ||
Civil registration records and indexes are available | Civil registration records and indexes are available in a few places: | ||
*[https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ ScotlandsPeople] - only website with searchable index and online images | |||
*Visit the [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/visit-us Scotlandspeople Centre] - General Register Office in Edinburgh. Records are available to search in person | |||
*The Local Registrar's Offices - records are available to search in person | |||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/79310 FamilySearch Catalog] - contains digital images for civil registration indexes and records | |||
=== ScotlandsPeople === | === ScotlandsPeople === | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| colspan="3" | | | colspan="3" | | ||
* Costs £7.50 for 30 credits | * Costs £7.50 for 30 credits or £10.00 for 40 credits<br>Free to search and view basic details such as name, year, and registration district. | ||
* Images cost 6 credits each to view. Once you have paid for an image you can view it again without additional cost. * | * Images cost 6 credits each to view. Once you have paid for an image you can view it again without additional cost. * | ||
* Credits expire after two years, but can be used across different browsing sessions | * Credits expire after two years, but can be used across different browsing sessions | ||
: * You can save an image or search to your account, or download an image to your computer | |||
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| colspan="3" | <center>ScotlandsPeople Centre at General Register House In Edinburgh</center> | | colspan="3" | <center>ScotlandsPeople Centre at General Register House In Edinburgh</center> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#F7F3B1" colspan="3" | <center>Images and Indexes Available at [ | | bgcolor="#F7F3B1" colspan="3" | <center>Images and Indexes Available at [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/visit-us ScotlandsPeople Centre]</center> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="75" | <center></center> | | width="75" | <center></center> | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| colspan="3" | | | colspan="3" | | ||
* Costs £15 per day - | * Costs £15 per day - viewing records is free, but small fee to download or save records | ||
* Also has access to many other genealogical records, see the [https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/visit-us/scotlandspeople-centre website] for details | * Also has access to many other genealogical records, see the National Records of Scotland [https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/visit-us/scotlandspeople-centre website] for more details | ||
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| colspan="3" | <center>Family History Library and Family History Centers</center> | | colspan="3" | <center>Family History Library and Family History Centers</center> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| bgcolor="#f7f3b1" colspan="3" | <center>Images and Indexes available | | bgcolor="#f7f3b1" colspan="3" | <center>Images and Indexes available digitized</center> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| width="75" | <center></center> | | width="75" | <center></center> | ||
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| '''Births''' | | '''Births''' | ||
| 1855-1875, 1881, 1891 | | 1855-1875, 1881, 1891 | ||
| rowspan="3" | | | rowspan="3" | Index to BMD registers from 1855 to 1956 <br>Images of BMD registers from 1855 to 1875, 1881, and 1891. <br>Collection may not be complete. See below. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Marriages''' | | '''Marriages''' | ||
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| 1855-1875, 1881, 1891 | | 1855-1875, 1881, 1891 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| colspan="3" | To find the records and indexes, look in the [https://www.familysearch.org/ | | colspan="3" | To find the records and indexes, look in the [https://www.familysearch.org/catalog/search Catalogue] | ||
|} | |} | ||
==== Extracted Records ==== | ==== Extracted Records ==== | ||
Some of these records have been extracted and are available to search on the [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch] [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1986318?region=Scotland Historic Records for Scotland] page. The extracted records may not be 100% complete. Some of the records were not extracted from the IGI and so must be found in the IGI. To find, search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/igi IGI] on FamilySearch and select "Community Contributed." | |||
Nonetheless, it is estimated that a high percentage of birth and marriage records from 1855 to 1875 have been extracted and appear in the databases [https://www.familysearch.org | Nonetheless, it is estimated that a high percentage of birth and marriage records from 1855 to 1875 have been extracted and appear in the databases: | ||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1771030 Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950] | |||
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1771074 Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910] | |||
==== The | ==== The Digitized Collection ==== | ||
'''Follow these steps to find the indexes and records in the catalog:''' | '''Follow these steps to find the indexes and records in the catalog:''' | ||
#Do a | #Do a "Place-names" search for "Scotland." | ||
#From the list of topics, click on 'Scotland - Civil Registration.' | #From the list of topics, click on 'Scotland - Civil Registration.' | ||
#Click on the title of ''Registers of births, marriages, and deaths, 1855-1875, 1881, 1891; and general index, 1855-1956'' and view the film notes. The collection of 4469 microfilms is arranged first by record type then by date, with the indexes listed first. | #Click on the title of ''Registers of births, marriages, and deaths, 1855-1875, 1881, 1891; and general index, 1855-1956'' and view the film notes. The collection of 4469 microfilms is arranged first by record type then by date, with the indexes listed first. All of these microfilms have been digitized and the images available online. | ||
#Start by searching the indexes for the event and date you desire. The index gives name, place, and record entry number. | #Start by searching the indexes for the event and date you desire. The index gives name, place, and record entry number. | ||
#The government has assigned every parish a number. The main page of the catalog entry gives the number for each parish, arranged in alphabetical order. Find the number for your parish of interest. | #The government has assigned every parish a number. The main page of the catalog entry gives the number for each parish, arranged in alphabetical order. Find the number for your parish of interest. | ||
#From the film notes list, look for your event and county of interest and match up the [[Parish Numbers in Scotland|parish number to]] find the correct film. | #From the film notes list, look for your event and county of interest and match up the [[Parish Numbers in Scotland|parish number to]] find the correct film. | ||
# | #Click on the camera icon to the right of the microfilm #. This will take you to the images that can then be searched to find the right entry. The parishes are arranged in alphabetical and parish number order. There may be a short index at the first of the parish. If you look for your ancestor in the index, you will see the record entry number again. | ||
You can also find the microfilm numbers by looking in the following source: | You can also find the microfilm numbers by looking in the following source: | ||
*''Register of Births, Marriages, and Deaths of Scotland''. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family History Library, 1987. (Family History Library{{FHL|593463|title-id|disp= | *''Register of Births, Marriages, and Deaths of Scotland''. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Family History Library, 1987. (Family History Library{{FHL|593463|title-id|disp=book Reg 941 V2; fiche 6035516.)}} This source is arranged first by event, then by county, then by date. At the beginning of each county is a list of the parishes giving their number. | ||
==== Civil Registration Districts and Their Numbers ==== | ==== Civil Registration Districts and Their Numbers ==== | ||
Every parish in Scotland (beginning with the parishes in Shetland in the north and working south through Wigtonshire) has had a [[Parish Numbers in Scotland|number assigned to]] it to assist with the organizing of records. | Every parish in Scotland (beginning with the parishes in Shetland in the north and working south through Wigtonshire) has had a [[Parish Numbers in Scotland|number assigned to]] it to assist with the organizing of records. When civil registration began in 1855, the civil parishes also became civil registration districts, and they had the same identification numbers. The numbers are used to identify parishes in civil, church, and census records. However, in large populated areas, it was necessary for the districts to be sub-divided, and the identification numbers were also sub-divided. For instance, the civil parish and district of Glasgow, Lanarkshire has the number of 644. When the districts were created in 1855, an area of Glasgow called High Church was created as a separate district and given the number of 644/2, indicating that it is part of the greater Glasgow area. | ||
Lists of Registration Districts available online at: | Lists of Registration Districts available online at: | ||
*[ | *[https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/statutory-registers/registration-districts Registration Districts] (Has downloadable documents) | ||
*[http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/districts-scot.html Shadows of Time] (online listing) | *[http://shadowsoftime.co.nz/districts-scot.html Shadows of Time] (online listing) | ||
== Search Guidance == | == Search Guidance == | ||
When searching the | When searching the digitized indexes on the [https://www.familysearch.org/catalog/search FamilySearch Catalog], be aware that: | ||
*Marriage indexes for females (1855-64) are arranged alphabetically by maiden surname. | *Marriage indexes for females (1855-64) are arranged alphabetically by maiden surname. | ||
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*Death indexes for females (1855-64) are arranged in alphabetical order under her married surname with her maiden surname in parentheses. | *Death indexes for females (1855-64) are arranged in alphabetical order under her married surname with her maiden surname in parentheses. | ||
*After 1864, death indexes list women under both their maiden surnames and their married surnames. | *After 1864, death indexes list women under both their maiden surnames and their married surnames. | ||
* | *A “Mc” or “Mac” surname may be found in the indexes at the end of the M section. Online, try spelling variations. | ||
*There is an additional index at the end of each filmed yearly index called the "Vide Addenda." This index lists names missed in the regular index. A cross-reference to the Vide Addenda will usually be found in the regular index. | *There is an additional index at the end of each filmed yearly index called the "Vide Addenda." This index lists names missed in the regular index. A cross-reference to the Vide Addenda will usually be found in the regular index. | ||
*Some births, marriages, and deaths were registered late. These “neglected entries” cover the period from about 1820 to 1860 and were registered between 1860 and 1868. | *Some births, marriages, and deaths were registered late. These “neglected entries” cover the period from about 1820 to 1860 and were registered between 1860 and 1868. These records are on microfilm but have been digitized and the images put on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/103538 FamilySearch Catalog]. | ||
'''If you are having trouble finding a person in the indexes on ScotlandPeople, the suggestions here may give you clues as to why they can't be found.''' | |||
If you cannot find an index entry, consider the following strategies: | If you cannot find an index entry, consider the following strategies: | ||
*Surnames are often found under unexpected spellings. Look for variations. | *Surnames are often found under unexpected spellings. Look for variations. | ||
*Events are filed by the date registered, not the date occurred. For example, a birth on 20 December may have been registered in January of the following year. | *Events are filed by the date registered, not the date that it occurred. For example, a birth on 20 December may have been registered in January of the following year. | ||
*Indexes were hand-prepared and may contain spelling and | *Indexes were hand-prepared and may contain spelling and copying errors and omissions. | ||
*A person may have been registered under a different name than was used later in life. | *A person may have been registered under a different name than was used later in life. | ||
*A woman’s surname in the marriage index may be her surname by a previous marriage. | *A woman’s surname in the marriage index may be her surname by a previous marriage. | ||
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*An illegitimate child may be registered under the mother’s maiden name. | *An illegitimate child may be registered under the mother’s maiden name. | ||
*Some children were registered as “male” or “female” when a name had not been selected at the time of registration. | *Some children were registered as “male” or “female” when a name had not been selected at the time of registration. | ||
*Not every person was registered. | *Not every person was registered.<br> | ||
'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:''' | '''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:''' | ||