With millions of records on Scotland’s People and thousands more added this year, there’s never been a better time to trace your Scottish heritage.
Whether you're just starting your family history research or trying to find missing connections, these tips can help.
Less is more
Your ancestors might not appear under expected names. People were sometimes registered with different spellings, nicknames, or completely different names.
If your initial search fails, try removing details. Remove middle names and initials, or leave the forename field blank.
This simple approach often reveals records that detailed searches miss.
Search tools
The "Refine search" options are game changers. Each tool works differently, so experiment with all of them.
- Fuzzy matching finds similar spellings – essential when dealing with inconsistent historical records.
- Names that begin with catches variations you might not consider. Searching for 'Douglas' will also find 'Douglass' entries.
- Wildcard lets you add an asterisk (*) in a name to catch missing or variable letters. Searching 'Ne*l' captures "Neal", 'Neil', 'Neill', ‘Newall’, and ‘Newell’.
Tricky spellings
Historical spelling could be wonderfully creative. Elizabeth might appear as Elspaithe, Elezebeth, or Elizabeyth.
Don't let unusual spellings throw you off track. Combine wildcard searches with fuzzy matching to cast a wider net.
Reading handwriting
Struggling to decipher Victorian penmanship? Look across the entire record for similar letters. Compare how the writer formed each character. This detective work often reveals the intended spelling.
Sibling clues
Hunting for all children from a particular marriage? Search birth records using the married surname, add a year range, and include the mother's maiden name. Siblings will be listed together.
Visit us in person
Book a seat at the Scotland's People Centre in Edinburgh to view an unlimited number of records during our opening hours.
Expert staff are on hand to help you overcome stumbling blocks in your research.