National Records of Scotland

The National Records of Scotland is the government body responsible for “Preserving the past, Recording the present and, Informing the future” in Scotland. On the NRS website, you can find information and links to all kinds of relevant genealogy information. There are sections related to research guides, family history, and, catalogues and indexes; in addition to various current and historical statistics and an image gallery. It is an excellent first stop when you are conducting your Scottish research.

Currently led by Janet Edgell who is the Interim Chief Executive. She fulfills the roles of two non-ministerial office holders – the Registrar General and the Keeper of the Records of Scotland.

The archival arm of the National Records of Scotland is Scotland’s People. For those of us that live outside of Scotland, the Scotland’s People website is the (only) place to look for digitized records. And, if you are lucky enough to visit Scotland, their centre in Edinburgh is a must see.