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Civil registration is the government records of births, marriages, and deaths. Civil registration records are excellent sources of names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Since they are indexed and cover most of the population, civil registration records are important sources for genealogical research. | Civil registration is the government records of births, marriages, and deaths. Civil registration records are excellent sources of names, dates, and places of births, marriages, and deaths. Since they are indexed and cover most of the population, civil registration records are important sources for genealogical research. | ||
= Historical Background = | |||
Before 1855 only churches recorded birth, marriage, and death information. Civil birth, marriage, and death registrations for Scotland began on 1 January 1855. | Before 1855 only churches recorded birth, marriage, and death information. Civil birth, marriage, and death registrations for Scotland began on 1 January 1855. | ||
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The Registrar General at [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/ http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/] creates nationwide indexes after receiving the records from the local registrars. Indexes will help you find your ancestors’ civil registration records. The indexes are arranged by year and give name, place of registration, and record entry number. | The Registrar General at [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/ http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/] creates nationwide indexes after receiving the records from the local registrars. Indexes will help you find your ancestors’ civil registration records. The indexes are arranged by year and give name, place of registration, and record entry number. | ||
== Information Recorded in Civil Registers == | |||
'''Birth Record/Certificates''' | '''Birth Record/Certificates''' | ||
A birth record shows: | A birth record shows: | ||
*Name of the child | *Name of the child | ||
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'''Marriage Record/Certificates''' | '''Marriage Record/Certificates''' | ||
A marriage record shows: | A marriage record shows: | ||
*Names, ages, and occupations of the bride and the groom | *Names, ages, and occupations of the bride and the groom | ||
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'''Death Record/Certificates''' | '''Death Record/Certificates''' | ||
A death record shows: | A death record shows: | ||
*Name of the deceased | *Name of the deceased | ||
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Divorces were handled by the courts. For information, see the “[[Scotland Court Records|Court Records]]” section of this outline. | Divorces were handled by the courts. For information, see the “[[Scotland Court Records|Court Records]]” section of this outline. | ||
= Finding Civil Registration Records<br> = | |||
Civil registration records are available in at least three ways, as follows. | |||
== Records at the Family History Library == | |||
The Family History Library has microfilm copies of civil birth, marriage, and death records for the years 1855 through 1875, 1881, and 1891, as well as the indexes for 1855-1956. To find the records and indexes, look in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog]. | The Family History Library has microfilm copies of civil birth, marriage, and death records for the years 1855 through 1875, 1881, and 1891, as well as the indexes for 1855-1956. To find the records and indexes, look in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog]. | ||
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Microfilms can be loaned to a family history center. To find the location of a center in your area, go to [http://www.familysearch.org/ http://www.familysearch.org] and type your locality in the field labeled 'Find a Family History Center.' | Microfilms can be loaned to a family history center. To find the location of a center in your area, go to [http://www.familysearch.org/ http://www.familysearch.org] and type your locality in the field labeled 'Find a Family History Center.' | ||
== Records Available Online at ''ScotlandsPeople'' <br> == | |||
The civil registration records and indexes are available online at [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk]. This is a fee-based website but the miminum fee of 6 GBP (approx. $12.00) gives you access for 90 days, and you have 30 page credits with which you are able to make searches, see the results, and view then print copies of the documents. It is every much worth the cost. If you are not able to go to the Family History Library to use the microfilms, this is probably a better option for you. | The civil registration records and indexes are available online at [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk]. This is a fee-based website but the miminum fee of 6 GBP (approx. $12.00) gives you access for 90 days, and you have 30 page credits with which you are able to make searches, see the results, and view then print copies of the documents. It is every much worth the cost. If you are not able to go to the Family History Library to use the microfilms, this is probably a better option for you. | ||
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See the article on [[ScotlandsPeople|ScotlandsPeople]] for a description of the site.<br> | See the article on [[ScotlandsPeople|ScotlandsPeople]] for a description of the site.<br> | ||
== Records Available in Scotland == | |||
In Scotland, civil registration records are kept at the local registrar’s office. | In Scotland, civil registration records are kept at the local registrar’s office. | ||
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*Index reference, if available. | *Index reference, if available. | ||
= Civil Registration Districts and Their Numbers = | |||
In the beginning in 1855, the civil parishes also became civil registration districts, and they had the same identification numbers. However, in large populated areas, it was necessary for the districts to be sub-divided, and the civil parish numbers were 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. When High Church district was abolished in 1875 and the district of Camlachie was created, it was given the number of 644/2. | In the beginning in 1855, the civil parishes also became civil registration districts, and they had the same identification numbers. However, in large populated areas, it was necessary for the districts to be sub-divided, and the civil parish numbers were 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. When High Church district was abolished in 1875 and the district of Camlachie was created, it was given the number of 644/2. | ||
= Using the Indexes to Civil Registration Records = | |||
When searching the indexes, you should be aware that: | When searching the indexes, you should 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. | ||
*The husband’s surname appears in parentheses. | *The husband’s surname appears in parentheses. | ||
*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. | ||
*On film, a “Mc” or “Mac” surname may be found in the indexes at the end of the M section. Online, try spelling variations. | *On film, 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. They are on one roll of microfilm (FHL film 103538). | *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. They are on one roll of microfilm (FHL film 103538). | ||
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 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 copying errors and omissions. | *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. | ||
*Family information (particularly age at death) is often misleading. | *Family information (particularly age at death) is often misleading. | ||
*Persons with common names may be difficult to identify in the index. | *Persons with common names may be difficult to identify in the index. | ||
*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. <br><br> | *Not every person was registered. <br><br> | ||
[[Category:Scotland]] | [[Category:Scotland]] | ||