Family History Societies

Don’t under estimate Local Resources. Many of us are familiar with the standard search engines, websites (Scotland’s People, Ancestry, GenesReunited) and online resources (Rootsweb, Genuki) but many of us forget to contact the local societies for information relevant to the location where our ancestors resided. Often, the local family history societies will have parish census records, church records, monumental inscriptions, old maps and information related to local businesses, schools and families.  In addition, other societies like our Scottish SIG will also have useful resources.

A list of Scottish family history societies and other family history societies which are interested in Scottish genealogy can be found on the website of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies.  These Societies can occasionally be difficult to navigate. A member of the SIG has prepared a schedule based upon the 33 historic counties of Scotland (the ones used for records on Scotlands People), and identified which local Scottish Family History societies cover that county.  The information was taken from the listing of family history societies that are members of the SAFHS – and checking the websites of the individual local family history societies to see what areas they cover.  Access the schedule HERE.

It should be noted that not all family history societies in Scotland, or elsewhere in the world, are not active members of the SAFHS.  Using a search engine can fill in the gaps for your research in those areas.  And, why not reach out via social media to the family history societies that you are interested in?  Many have active Facebook groups and pages where you can connect with researchers who may be local to the area or who may be interested in the same area as you.

If you do reach out the family history societies in Scotland, or anywhere else that your research interests may lie, we encourage you to consider making a donation or joining the society.  Your active participation can help enrich everyone’s experience!