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Frequently asked questions about research

1) Can I see original records?

No. ScotlandsPeople Centre customers will use a new computerised search engine that will provide customers with digital images of the original records. This allows faster and easier searching for family historians.

2) Can I see up to date records?

Yes. Customers can see the most up to date records, including up to the current year for statutory records such as births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships. Wills and census records up to 1901 and Coats of Arms entries up to 1908 can be viewed at the centre.

3) What records can I get copies of

Customers can get printed copies of all wills and testaments, coats of arms and census records that are available at the centre. The same applies for birth records over 100 years old, marriage records over 75 years old and death records over 50 years old. Formal extracts ("certificates") can be ordered for the more recent records.

4) Do you have records for places other than Scotland?

There are some records that relate to people of Scottish origin and events that happened abroad, such as events registered abroad by UK Consulates

5) What help can I receive if I need it?

Customers will be provided with an instruction manual. Supervisors will be on hand to give basic advice on software and the records. Customers who want more detailed help you can arrange an assisted search with a member of staff. See the Assisted search page for more details.

6) Why can’t I find an ancestor that I know should be there?

There are many reasons why you might not be able to find an ancestor. It may be that their record does not exist or they may have used a different spelling for their name. See the research hints section of each record type for ideas.

7) What can I do if an image is of poor quality?

If you are having trouble reading an image bring this to the attention of a supervisor and they will make available the microfilm copy for you to look at. There are microfilm readers in every search room apart from the Adam Dome.

8) How do I book an assisted search?

You must book an assisted search in advance and provide family details so staff can see that relevant records exist. Call 0131 314 4300 to book an assisted search. Full details of information required is on the Assisted Search page.

9) How far back can I get with my family tree?

Theoretically, customers can get back to the 1500’s. If customers know that their ancestors lived and died in Scotland then they should easily get as far back as the mid 1800’s. Records before 1855 are less reliable so there is no guarantee customers will find ancestors before this date.

10) Can I trust the information on these records to be accurate?

Certainly the more recent records are accurate. However, census records and the early statutory records and old parish registers of Scotland are subject to the correct information being given at the time to the census enumerator or to the parish clerk.

11) What advantages are there in coming to the centre over doing research on the internet?

In the Centre customers can view images of recent records (less than 100 years old) that are unavailable online. For a fee of £10 customers can view as many images as they like. There are other resources such as the library and stand alone computers can aid research. Customers also experience the wonderful surroundings of the General Register House and New Register House genealogy campus.

12) Can I order a Formal Extract at the ScotlandsPeople Centre?

Yes. We provide a standard service and a priority service. For the standard service, you simply fill out an extract order form which will be available in the search rooms. Take it to the supervisor to check and pay the fee of £8.00. The supervisor will then pass the order on to be processed. If you wish to use the priority service, you will need to take the extract order form and payment by hand to the Public Counter in New Register House. The fee is £18 and identification may be required.