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Learn shortcuts to track down your Scottish ancestors in our new birth, death and marriage records.

Try maiden names

Searching for a common surname in birth certificates? 

Use the “mother’s maiden name” box to narrow down your search.

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Screenshot showing search fields for surname, forename, gender and mother's maiden name

Solve spelling uncertainty

It can be tricky to find relatives whose names were recorded with unusual spellings. 

For example, the name Elizabeth may be spelled Elspaithe, Elezebeth, Elizabeyth and Elesabethe. 

Try two simple search tools to help you track down possible matches: wild card search and fuzzy matching.

Wild card search 

Add an asterisk (*) at the start, middle or end of the name when searching. For example, Ann * will capture Ann, Anne, Annie etc.

Fuzzy matching

Click on the ‘Search Tools’ option and select ‘Fuzzy Matching’. This brings up similar names with different spellings. 

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Screenshot showing search fields on Scotland's People, with 'fuzzy matching' selected on the search tools drop-down menu

Decode handwriting

The handwriting on some of our records can be tricky to read. 

If you’re struggling with a particular word, have a look across the record to pick out similar letters and characters, to help you decipher the spelling.

Sibling search

Looking for all the children from a particular marriage? 

In the birth section, search for the married surname, add a year of birth range, and the mother’s maiden name. 

Any children born to that couple should appear in the list of results. 

Census clues

If you’re struggling to find someone’s birth details, try looking at the census after 1851 to discover where they were born.

Visit us in person

Book a seat in the Scotland's People Centre for a dedicated space for your research. 

You can view an unlimited number of our records for the day, with expert staff on hand to assist.

Start your search 

New to family history research? Our getting started page has everything you need to take your first steps.

And our guidance page provides details of our records, what you can find in them and how they can help your research. 

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