Uncover every clue in the hunt for the female members of your family, with Rachel Bellerby of Family Tree magazine’s guide to the top resources for finding the women in your family tree.

Whilst it can be tempting to begin your family tree search by following your surname through the generations, if you fail to research your maternal line you’re missing out on a huge section of your ancestry.

Find the women within your family tree with our guide to the top resources for finding female ancestors.

1. Marriage certificates
The number one resource for taking your family tree back a generation, since a bride’s maiden name (and often the name of her father also) will be listed on the certificate of marriage, allowing you to search for that person’s birth record and thus the names of the parents. Remember also that a person listed as witness to a wedding might be a family members such as a sibling or cousin, perhaps pointing you in the direction of a maiden name.

2. Historical newspapers
Remember that 19th-century newspapers often identified individuals by a surname and initial only, so a search for an ancestor’s full name may not yield the full results. Notices of marriages, births & deaths, obituaries and engagement announcements can all give clues to help with your research.

3. The census
A valuable resource for tracing female ancestors through from childhood, to marriage and sometimes on to widowhood. Look for clues from the names of relatives staying with an ancestor who aren’t part of that nuclear family, since elderly mothers sometimes lives with their children, or young single women would lodge with family members.

4. Parish records
When searching for a female ancestor before civil registration be sure to check birth records for each of that person’s children since birth certificates sometimes include the mother’s maiden name, which could point you in the direction of her marriage and/or baptism record.

5. Family heirlooms
Women are often the keepers of the family archive and so check with members of your family if they have items such as old photographs, certificates, a family Bible or hand-written recipe books. Many a clue can be found on the back of a photograph, the flyleaf of a book or from newspaper clippings.

Online women’s history projects

• Women’s History Network
• English Heritage, Women who made history
• Women’s Archive of Wales
• Mapping Memorial to Scottish Women
• Women’s History Guide, National Archives of Ireland
  

 

Here is an opportunity for the #NotAtRootstech followers to pose a question. Ambassadors are given the opportunity to interview keynote speakers and celebrities who are appearing at RootsTech. Obviously there are only a certain number of opportunities and Ambassadors cannot be greedy and attempt to grab all the slots, so a system has been set up where we can apply for an opportunity to ask our chosen speakers some questions.
 
Some opportunities are described as “Sofa Chats” where a group of ambassadors sit down and chat and others “Backdrops” which someone has described as a Red Carpet style opportunity to pose a couple of questions.
 
The interview opportunities were released earlier this week and I have secured a sofa chat opportunity with Steve Redwood* CEO of FamilySearch on Wednesday 28th February and a backdrop opportunity to ask Henry Louis Gates Jr.* a couple of questions on Saturday March 3rd.
 
For those of you unable to attend Rootstech you can let me know what question you would wish to ask either of these speakers, and I will do my best to pose one of these questions on your behalf. Email me at sylvia@recoveryourroots.co.uk
 
Obviously I can’t promise to ask your question, but I would be interested to hear your ideas.
 
 
*The RoostTech website provides these helpful biographies for both speakers
 
Stephen T. Rockwood is president and chief executive officer of FamilySearch International (www.FamilySearch.org). Rockwood, who most recently served as director of the international division at FamilySearch, became president and CEO on October 1, 2015. Prior to joining FamilySearch, Rockwood specialized in creating unique service offerings for worldwide customers of such brands as MasterCard International, AT&T, Disney, Office Depot, and Citibank among others. He was also a successful entrepreneur building two companies from the ground up that were later acquired by larger companies
 
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University. Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic, and institution builder, Professor Gates has authored or co-authored twenty-two books and created eighteen documentary films, including Wonders of the African World, African American Lives, Faces of America, Black in Latin America, Black America since MLK: And Still I Rise, Africa’s Great Civilizations, and Finding Your Roots, his groundbreaking genealogy series now in its fourth season on PBS. His six-part PBS documentary series, The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross (2013), which he wrote, executive produced, and hosted, earned the Emmy Award for Outstanding Historical Program—Long Form, as well as the Peabody Award, Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award, and NAACP Image Award.

Enlist some help

Once you’ve exhausted the above options, you can widen the net by doing a little more research. A recent antique price guide such as Miller’s Antiques Handbook & Price Guide has lists of thousands of antiques, along with history, dates, identification tips and prices.

Keep an eye open for antique fairs in your area, as such events often have q&a sessions with antiques experts, or offer members of the public the chance to bring along a treasured item to be valued.

Once you’re done a bit of research and have more information such as the maker and date of your heirloom, you can look for more details online. Websites such as Live Auctioneers and The Sale Room have lots of data about items for sale at auction houses around the world, and even if you’re not intending to sell your treasure, you could pick up some valuable background information.

Discover more heirlooms

Be aware that some family heirlooms which might have made their way outside of the family; it’s surprising how many second-hand bookshops and antique shops contain family items which are labelled with a person’s name. Search eBay and other online auctions for potential items and encourage other family members to keep an eye out too. You can often set up an alert on an auction website, whereby a family surname or other detail would trigger an e-mail to you if an item which matched these details came up for sale.

If you’re helping to sort through the possessions of a deceased relative, check every box thoroughly, as heirlooms are not always stored in the way that you might think valuable possessions would be; in the past, people sometimes concealed their treasured items for fear of theft, and not all treasures are found in a jewellery box or safe. For example, photo frames might contain other photos behind the one on display, there could be items in the pocket of clothing or in a box that is labelled as something else entirely.

A new life for your heirloom

After all your detective work, remember to share and write down any information you find about the treasure in question, to help future members of the family. Consider creating a document which lists why the item’s important to the family, who it belonged to originally, how it was used, any information about its provenance, and any family stories attached to the item.

If the item is to be stored away rather than used or displayed, use acid-free storage materials where possible; or if you prefer to keep the item on display in the house, consider ‘resting’ it periodically, as museums and galleries do, to give it time away from dust, daylight and pollutants.

For lots more advice on exploring your family history, visit Family Tree.

Useful websites

LDS heirloom preservation videos.
Judith Miller’s expert antiques blog.

Further reading

Miller’s Antiques Handbook & Price Guide 2016-17 by Judith Miller (Mitchell Beazley, 2015)

Antique Marks: an indispensable guide to identifying and interpreting your antiques by Harper Collins (Collins Need To Know, 2006)

[image copyright lspider2]

Black Friday weekend is right around the corner and it is now a tradition for most of the major DNA testing companies to offer their best deal of the year at this time.  These Black Friday sales are a great opportunity to pick up DNA testing kits if you've been thinking of testing yourself or other relatives and if you want to give any as Christmas presents it's best to buy now rather than later.  The sales will be over very quickly so take advantage while you can.

​Here is a quick round-up of the DNA sales on offer over the next few days:
​

AncestryDNA has by far the largest autosomal DNA database at over 6 million testers and it is growing daily.  If you are interested in taking a DNA test for genealogy purposes then you simply cannot ignore the sheer size of this database.  Additionally if you have a DNA mystery or brick wall you are trying to solve using DNA, it is imperative to test at Ancestry to fish in the largest pond.  You cannot transfer into Ancestry as you can some of the other companies so you have to test with them direct.  They are offering their lowest price of the year for Black Friday so now is the time to buy if you've been holding off waiting for a good sale!
​
The price of the AncestryDNA test in the UK has been reduced by £30 from £79 to £49 for Black Friday
(please note that this does not include shipping which is £20 for a first kit and £10 for each additional kit in the same order - maximum ten kits per order)
*sale ends 27th November at 23:59 GMT

AncestryDNA are also running Black Friday sales in Ireland, the USA, Australia and New Zealand:

Ireland: Price reduced by €36 from €95 to €59
Shipping €20 per kit and €10 per additional kit in same order
*sale ends 27th November at 23:59 GMT

USA: Price reduced by $40 from $99 to $59
Shipping $9.95 per kit
*sale begins 23rd November at 21:00 PST and ends 27th November at 20:59 PST
UPDATED: Amazon have made AncestryDNA kits a Cyber Monday Deal of the Day! They're selling kits for $54.99 plus free shipping - best deal I've seen for Ancestry by far but US only - see HERE


Australia & New Zealand: Price reduced by A$50 from A$149 to A$99
Shipping A$29.99 for first kit and A$10 for each additional kit
*sale ends 27th November at 23:59 AEDT

Canada: Price reduced by C$50 from C$129 to C$79
Shipping C$19.95 per kit
*sale ends 27th November at 23:59 ET
​
Ancestry are also offering subscription discounts depending on your geographic location
​

If you've been thinking about taking the plunge on Y-DNA or MtDNA testing then this is the time to do it.  There is a $40 saving on the Y-37 test and a $30 saving on the Mt FMS test.  For Y-DNA it is cheapest to start at Y-37 - if you want to test to Y-67 it is better to buy the Y-37 test and then upgrade to Y-67.  

In addition to the regular sale prices FTDNA also send out special holiday reward codes to existing customers during their holiday sale; you will receive one holiday reward code per kit each week on a Monday up until the end of the year.  These codes can be used in addition to the sale prices bringing the cost down even lower.  If you have existing FTDNA kits then all you have to do is sign in and click on "Holiday Reward" on your homepage:

​The reward codes look like this:

If you don't want to use your gift code you can share it with someone else or add it to the FTDNA Coupons 2017 Spreadsheet.  I will be publishing a selection of codes from my own kits on my Genes & Genealogy Facebook page each week so keep an eye out for those if you're looking for a particular code.

Here are my codes from this week (valid until 26th Nov):

If you use one of my codes please comment on the original post HERE so others know it has been taken

Also if you have been thinking of upgrading to a Big Y test this Holiday sale offers the best deal I've ever seen!  Firstly there is $100 off the regular price ($475 instead of $575) and you can also use a reward coupon on top of that - there are a few $100 and $50 off coupons so if you're very lucky you could get it for $375.  The best bit though is that anyone who orders a Big Y during the sale will have their Y-STR test upgraded to Y-111 for free!  In order to take advantage of this offer you have to already have taken a Y-STR test but if you haven't done that you could buy one in the sale and upgrade once it registers on the system.  For full details on how much this deal could save you check out Maurice Gleeson's calculations on his blog post HERE.

Don't forget that FTDNA also have an autosomal transfer option so if you have tested at Ancestry, 23andMe (V3 and V4 only) or MyHeritage you can transfer into FTDNA and get all of your highest confidence matches for free.  If you would like access to all tools and FTDNA's ethnicity estimate you can get those by paying a small $19 fee.

MyHeritage have also announced a Black Friday sale.  Their autosomal DNA kit has been reduced to just £39 in the UK (shipping costs £12 for one kit and is free if you buy two or more).  The price in Ireland is even lower at €39 (shipping costs €12 for one kit and is free for two or more) and the price in the US has been reduced to $49 (shipping costs $12 for one kit and free if you buy two or more).

It is also still possible to transfer into MyHeritage for free from any of the other major companies - HERE is a link to upload your results to their site.  MyHeritage is one of the newer offerings on the market but as more people test with them their database will grow and you will begin to see unique matches there.  It will, therefore, start to become more important for everyone, especially those with mysteries to solve, to be in this database in addition to the others.  Be aware, however, that there is a serious problem with MyHeritage's matching algorithm and this means the amount of DNA shared with matches on there has to be treated with great caution for now.  MyHeritage are aware of the problem and promise it will be rectified soon.  For further information on this issue see CeCe Moore's recent post HERE.
​

​​23ANDME​

23andMe was the only major company not to be offering a Black Friday deal but on the Friday morning this changed so I've updated this article to include their offering.  In the UK it is a Christmas sale that runs through until 26th December that is being offered; £20 off either the Ancestry only service or the Health + Ancestry service.  Shipping costs £9.99 per kit (Standard 7 working days) or £19.99 per kit (Express 2-3 working days).  

A similar Christmas sale has sprung up for the European site (these kits are sold in Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden and The Netherlands).  The sale runs until 26th December and offers €30 off the regular price of both the Ancestry only service bringing it down to €69 and the Ancestry + Health service bringing it down to €139.  Shipping costs €9.99 per kit (10 business days) or €19.99 Express Shipping (2-3 business days).

​In the US they are offering a Black Friday deal which ends on Sunday 26th November: $30 off the Ancestry only service bringing it down to $69 and $50 off the Ancestry + Health service bringing to down to $149.  Shipping costs $14.95 per kit (Standard 5-8 days) or $41.95 (Express 2-3 business days).  If you are in the US and want to get the Health + Ancestry test, however, there's an even better deal for Black Friday on Amazon - they're selling it for $99! This is just a 24 hour flash sale for Black Friday; you can see the deal HERE.

There is also a Christmas sale now up for Canada and it also runs until 26th December; C$30 off per kit for both the Ancestry only service bringing it down from C$129 to C$99 and the Health + Ancestry service bringing it down from C$249 to C$219.  Shipping costs C$19.95 (Standard 5-8 days) or C$29.95 (Express 2-3 business days).

While many of us begin our family tree research at home, there’s a whole world of family history information available offline. Rachel Bellerby of Family Tree magazine explains how to use the wealth of resources held at archives, record offices and libraries around the country.

Today’s family tree researchers are fortunate to be able to access so many digitised records from the comfort of home, with a wealth of data available online which can save us hours of research in a record office or library. However, as you progress beyond beginner stage, your search for ancestors is sure to lead you to the rich resources held by the UK’s record offices, archives and libraries, and this is where your family tree moves to the next level as you access a whole new wealth of information.

A key rule of family history is always to double check any information that you find online, and record offices, archives and libraries are the places where you can do this, exploring historical documents which mention your ancestors, such as the census, parish records, old newspapers and trade directories. Expanding your research will also bring you into contact with the UK’s family tree community and you can meet others with the same interests at family history societies and genealogy fairs around the country.

Read on to discover why you should take your research beyond your own home, how to find out what information’s held where, and what you need to know before making a trip to an archive.

Archives, record offices and libraries

Britain’s local and county record offices, archives and libraries are the custodians of millions of records relating to our ancestors, and these form the building blocks of family history research. By using information from parish records, the census, newspapers, businesses and councils, you can explore what life was like for your ancestors and build your research into so much more than just names and dates on a family tree chart.

Many records such as business archives, church and school records and workhouse information can only be found in a record office or archive. The UK is home to millions of historic records which cover centuries of history and it hasn’t been possible to make all of this information available online. Handling records which carry an ancestor’s handwriting, or hold information about their lives, is one of the highlights of family tree research. Staff at these centres are one of its key resources; they are trained to help visitors make the most of their day, and discover resources of which you might not even be aware.

So, how can you work out what information is relevant to your ancestors, and where you can find it? Discovery, from The National Archives is a UK-wide catalogue which brings together listings of records held by more than 2,500 repositories across the country. More than 32 million records are listed, 9 million of which are accessible online.

You can also explore the holdings of the town or county record office for the area where your ancestors lived. Most UK archives have an online catalogue which lists the archive material that they hold, and you can browse a list of these repositories via the National Archives Discovery catalogue mentioned above. The catalogue also includes archive collections held by museums, universities and charitable trusts, which can be a valuable source of information for ancestors who worked in a particular occupation, or were part of a club or society.

Preparing for your visit

Once you’ve identified what documents you’d like to see and where they’re kept, there are a few simple preparations you can make ahead of your visit, to make the most of your research trip. Firstly, take a copy of your family tree (or the relevant section) so that you have crucial dates relating to your ancestors to hand. If you’ve been able to find catalogue reference numbers for the records you’re going to be looking at, take a note of these; you may even be able to order the documents beforehand to be waiting when you arrive.

Find out whether the archive you’re visiting allows the use of laptops and cameras, and if it’s your first visit, you’ll probably need to bring along a couple of forms of ID (such as a passport and utility bill) so you can be issued with a reader’s ticket. Also pack a couple of pencils and a notebook, as most archives don’t allow the use of pens, to protect the documents in their care.

Finally, once you’re at the archive, be sure to take a note of what facilities are available to researchers. Many places offer free of charge access to family tree websites such as Ancestry and Find My Past, and many have libraries of local history books which can be hard to find elsewhere. During your visit, be sure to take a note of which documents you consulted, even if that document proved not to be a help; this will save you needlessly repeating the search at a later date.

Why join a family history society?

Whatever stage you’re at with your family history, consider joining a family history society. The UK is home to hundreds of societies dedicated to tracing ancestors in different parts of the country, or those which specialise in specific surnames or ancestors who belonged to a particular religion or nationality.

Most societies publish a regular journal with articles written by society members, as well as holding meetings with talks by specialist speakers. Society members can often access the members-only section of the society’s website and are usually entitled to use the society’s specialist library or research facilities.

If you’d like to get involved, a good starting point is to visit the Federation of Family History Societies website where you can explore a list of British and overseas societies. Consider joining two societies – one in your own area, where you’ll be able to easily attend meetings and meet other enthusiasts, as well as a society in the region where the majority of your ancestors were based, to give you access to specialist knowledge of an area of the country which might not be familiar to you.

Family history society members are usually very willing to share their knowledge and expertise with others, and by attending meetings and getting involved with projects the society runs, you’ll have the chance to become more involved in the family history community and improve your own knowledge and research skills.

Your out & about essentials

Be well prepared for your research trips with this essentials tool kit:

• Sharpened pencils and a notebook
• A copy of your family tree
• Essential names and dates relating to the ancestor you’re researching
• Camera and laptop (if the archive allows these)
  
• Reference numbers for documents you’d like to look at (or pre-order these beforehand)

 
image copyright copyright Bibliothek Wissenschaftspark Albert Einstein

For more advice and tips on family history research visit the Family Tree website.

23andMe is one of the major DNA testing companies and up until today it has been substantially more expensive to test with them for genealogical purposes in the UK.  Unlike other leading companies who sell tests solely for genealogy, it has only been possible to buy a combined health and ancestry test from 23andMe for £149 including shipping.  

For some time, however, they have offered an Ancestry only test without the health reports in the US at a much reduced price ($99) and I have long wished they would also offer this here in the UK.  The good news is that today an Ancestry Only test for the UK, Canada and selected EU countries (Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and The Netherlands) was finally launched bringing 23andMe's price more in line with the other companies. 

I'm delighted that customers in the UK and other countries who also have not had access to the more affordable test before can now buy 23andMe tests for family history without having to pay for the health reports as well.  The test is being sold for £79 + £9.99 shipping in the UK, €99 + €9.95 shipping in the five EU countries and C$129 + C$19.95 shipping in Canada.  There is also an international price of $99USD + shipping for countries in which 23andMe is unable to sell their health test; you can see a list of these countries HERE.  Shipping costs will vary between countries and custom charges could apply.

This is excellent news for anyone who wants to test at 23andMe in the UK without paying £149 to also get the health information and it makes 23andMe much more affordable for genealogy.  It is especially helpful for those with a mystery to solve who should try to get in all of the major databases.  My recommendation for those with unknown ancestor mysteries has previously been to test at 23andMe last due to the cost and to wait for sales but now I will be recommending the Ancestry only test as it is a more viable way to get into 23andMe's database.

The Ancestry Only test includes ancestry composition (23andMe's ethnicity estimate), Y-DNA (males only) and MtDNA haplogroups, information on how much Neanderthal DNA you inherited and, most importantly, your DNA cousin match list and tools to work with it.  Be aware that you have to opt in to DNA Relatives to receive your matches.

Other autosomal tests, apart from LivingDNA, do not give you Y-DNA or MtDNA haplogroups and these can sometimes be helpful when trying to work out how someone matches you.  If you are looking for Y-DNA and MtDNA matching databases, however, only FTDNA's standalone Y-DNA and MtDNA tests offer this service.

If you have not yet taken an autosomal DNA test I would still recommend testing at AncestryDNA first due to the sheer size of their matching database (over 5 million at the last count).  23andMe, however, have the second largest autosomal database at over 2 million testers as of April this year.  This new more affordable test means you could get into both databases at a much reduced cost.  I recommend transferring your AncestryDNA and older 23andMe tests to FTDNA but be aware that you will only get your highest confidence matches due to chip incompatibilities so it is still worth considering doing a full Family Finder test at FTDNA if you want the lower confidence matches.  Another thing to take into account is 23andMe recently moved to the new GSA chip that is not compatible with being uploaded to FTDNA or regular GEDMatch but can be uploaded to GEDMatch Genesis.

This is a step in the right direction from 23andMe and very welcome for the UK testing market and genetic genealogy community!

Bring a whole new perspective to your family history research by visiting the village that your ancestors called home. By Rachel Bellerby of Family Tree magazine.

Imagine walking down the streets your ancestors once trod, stepping into the church where they celebrated baptisms and weddings, and maybe even finding the old family home. All of these could be a reality when you visit the village where your ancestor once lived.

Before your visit

If your research has led you to identify your ancestor’s home village, consider taking a trip to that location – both to discover more about your ancestor, and for the sheer pleasure of seeing the places that would have been so familiar to them.

To make the most of your visit, see what you can find discover before your trip. For example, what old buildings which your ancestor might have known (such as a village church, pub or schoolhouse) are still in existence? If the street where your ancestor lived no longer seems to exist, could it simply have changed its name over the years? Compare a historic and a modern map to see what you can discover. Even if you can’t find the actual house or street, there are likely to be some landmark buildings still in existence close by, such as the village shop, market cross or war memorial.

You could also try to get an idea of how the village would have looked when your ancestor lived there. Old paintings or postcards can show local landmarks such as the high street, village church, etc, that bygone villagers would have known – Francis Frith has a great selection: www.francisfrith.com. Also check whether there are any trade directories in existence for the years your ancestor was there (local history libraries usually have copies) to see what businesses, schools and churches served the local community; perhaps you might even be able to identify where your ancestor worked if you’ve found his or her occupation on the census.

Research notes

Next, prepare a working file for use during your trip. This could include a copy of your family tree;  notes on the relevant ancestor(s) such as date of birth, street where they lived etc; information on street names or landmarks you’re hoping to see; the dates your ancestor was resident in the village and notes on any questions you’re hoping to answer during your visit.

You could also find out the location of the nearest museums, archives and local history libraries which could form part of your research trip. Whilst you’re in the area you could take the opportunity to discover resources which aren’t available to you online. Are any of the older parish records for the village still kept at the church? If so, make contact with the minister and request an appointment to explore these.

Try an online search to find out whether the village has a local history group or civic society and if so, try e-mailing a request for information about the ancestor(s) in question, explaining that you’ll be visiting the area and hope to find out more.

In the same vein, you could find out whether there are any history talks or meetings that you could attend whilst you’re in the area; perhaps a nearby family history society or local history group is holding a meeting which would coincide with your visit, giving you the chance not only to enjoy the talk but also the opportunity to meet local family history enthusiasts.

Making the most of your trip

Once you’re in the village, look out for blue plaques and information boards and talk to locals in the village shops and pub. Nearby museums may have displays of artefacts relating to local crafts and industries, and maybe even a library or photo collection. Local bookshops and museums often stock history books about the surrounding area that are difficult to find elsewhere.

Remember that some of the buildings your ancestors would have known may not now be fulfilling their original use. For example, the schoolhouse may now be a café, or the village hall could be the office of a small business. Your earlier background research using old photos and maps should help you here, as will a careful look at any buildings which appear to be from the period your ancestor was in the area.

If you’re staying in a family-run bed & breakfast or hotel, remember that your hosts will most likely have an in-depth knowledge of the area and its local families and may well point you in the direction of more information.

And most of all, enjoy your time in your ancestral home village – take in the atmosphere, the views, the buildings around you… you’re standing in the place your ancestors did, looking at the scenery they saw and the buildings that they passed on their way to work or school. What a special experience.

Top tips

• Do your homework beforehand to maximise your chances of discovering information during your visit;
• Take photos of relevant buildings for your research file;
• Photograph information boards in the village for later use;
• Explore the surrounding towns and hamlets – your ancestor may have worked in these, or visited for market day, local festivals. etc.

For more tips on making the most of your family history research, visit Family Tree’s website.

(image copyright DS Pugh)
 
 
 

Find out more about the food that our ancestors would have enjoyed with Family Tree magazine’s guide to using cookery books in family history.

Think back over the decades and, chances are, food and cooking play a big part in your memories. Events such as weddings, christenings and even a humble tea around the kitchen table are part of the fabric of family life. Things were no different for our ancestors, wherever they lived and whatever their circumstances, and you can bring your research to life by finding out more about the foods that your ancestors would have eaten and the recipes they might have used.

Discovering old recipes, and even perhaps cooking them in the modern day is a great way to find out about traditions, regional food variations and what sort of food was available in a particular era. Events such as rationing, the changing seasons and even the weather could affect what food was available; something which is easy to forget in this age of 24-hour supermarkets and international cuisine.

How to get started

The ideal find for family historians is an heirloom hand-written recipe book containing recipes collected by family members over the years. However, for those of us not lucky enough to possess such a treasure, there are plenty of other options.

If you own old commercially produced recipe books previously used by an older family member, be sure to check through the pages carefully, as some cooks wrote notes beside well-loved recipes, perhaps suggesting alternative ingredients or even noting events at which a particular recipe was used.

Interpreting recipe books

Don’t worry if your quest for personal family recipes isn’t as fruitful as you hoped; old recipe books provide plenty of information on what our ancestors would have been cooking and baking. Two long-lived and widely-read such volumes are Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management and The Be-Ro Book, both of which have been reprinted dozens of times over the decades.

Each of these books, which can be obtained from online booksellers or second-hand bookshops, contains family recipes using ingredients which were in widespread use at the time of publication. The cooking methods, preparation details and notes on how to serve the food are a fascinating glimpse into kitchen life in years gone by.

Online recipes

The internet is a great source of old family recipes, with thousands of enthusiasts sharing their recipes and tips. You could search for recipes that you remember from your own childhood, or dishes which feature in family folklore. Even if you have just a rough idea of what ingredients would have been included, you might strike lucky and find the dish online.

Look for websites with connections to the regions where your ancestors lived; there are hundreds of American sites featuring international recipes from the homeland of those who emigrated to the US and wanted to keep a taste of home.

Enjoy taking a trip into your family’s culinary past and be sure to keep your own favourite recipes for future generations to enjoy.

Historic recipe websites

• Pinterest - Heirloom recipes and ideas for organising your old recipes
• Recipes Past and Present – A community website with recipes from Victorian times to the 1970s
• Old and Vintage Cook Books – Over 4,000 old cookbooks for sale

Find out more about the lives and times of your ancestors in every issue of Family Tree magazine.

(Image © Tuck DB Postcards)
 

During our live Twitter chat last week, Fergus Soucek-Smith of 'Old Scottish' and #AncestryHour's righthand man in Edinburgh, posted a link to one of his many fantastic blogs.  This particular article is jam-packed with publications which are all available online and is just too good for researchers of Scottish history to miss!  In case you are one of them, here it is again.  Many thanks Fergus for sharing such a great resource!

We've written before about the National Library of Scotland's (NLS) massive ongoing digitisation project - the NLS plans to digitise literally millions of items from their collection, and make them available online for free. Well as part of that project, earlier this week they launched their digital versions of the publications of the Scottish History Society. This is great news, unless, like me, you have most of these in the original print form, in which case your book collection has just gone down in value!

The Scottish History Society (SHS) was founded in 1886 with the aim of publishing original sources of Scottish history. It forms part of a rich tradition of publishing clubs in Scotland (and we will be writing about some of the others in another post in the near future), and has become one of the longest-running and most successful of them. Over the last 130 years, the SHS has published over 170 books, covering a very wide range of historical topics. The NLS has now put the complete run on its website. We've added a list of all of the titles available from the SHS below, but we thought we'd highlight some of our favourites.

Arthur Mitchell's monumental work "Contribution to the bibliography of Scottish topography" is a superb reference work. It was published in two volumes: the first is arranged geographically (by county, then by parish), while the second is arranged by subject area. The books list many thousands of articles, books, pamphlets and chapters, and is indispensable for local historians, and extremely useful for family historians as well. Our copy was so heavily used I had to send it to my bookbinder for repairs!

There are two particularly useful titles for those interested in Jacobite history: List of persons concerned in the rebellion, published in 1890, and Prisoners of the '45, published in three volumes in 1928-1929, edited by Sir Bruce Gordon Seton and Jean Gordon Arnot. While certainly not comprehensive, and in many ways superseded by more recent research, they are both very useful starting points.

An intriguing, explicitly genealogical title, albeit one that is not always entirely reliable, is Genealogical collections concerning families in Scotland, made by Walter Macfarlane, 1750-1751. Families covered by this volume include Balfour, Bethune, Munro, Moncrief, Morton of Cambo, Kinnaird of that Ilk and Inchture, Mackenzie, Grant, Maclean, Mackintosh, Leslie, Bisset, Fraser of Lovat, Oliphant, Maule, Lawmond [Lamond], Carnegy, Martine, Schevez, Forbes, Strang, Knox, Spang, Douglas, Robertson of Strowan, Fraser of Dores, Fullarton, Urquhart, Gordon, Rose of Kilravock, Stirling and Kinninmond of that Ilk. As ever with printed genealogies, any information should be treated with a great deal of caution.

As graduates of the University of St Andrews, we are both interested in the history of Scotland's oldest university, and of the town. There are no fewer than three relevant titles in this collection: Rentale Sancti Andree, being the chamberlain and granitar accounts of the archbishopric in the time of Cardinal Betoun, 1538-1546, Early records of the University of St. Andrews The graduation roll, 1413 to 1579, and the matriculation roll, 1473 to 1579, and ​Acta Facultatis Artium Universitatis Sanctiandree, 1413-1588. The first of these is a very useful source for 16th century Fife, while the latter two are among the earliest surviving education records in Scotland.

Another source for sixteenth-century Fife is the Sheriff Court Book of Fife, 1515-1522. This excellent volume includes a full index of people and places. It's worth noting that much of Kinross was at this time under the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Fife.

There are a number of other early books of court records from around Scotland:

• Court book of the Barony of Urie in Kincardineshire, 1604-1747
• Records of the Proceedings of the Justiciary Court Edinburgh, 1661-1678
• Records of the Baron court of Stitchill 1655-1807
• Minutes of the justices of the peace for Lanarkshire, 1707-1723
• Court book of the Barony of Carnwath, 1523-1542
• Court book of the Burgh of Kirkintilloch 1658-1694
• Court books of Orkney and Shetland 1614-1615

These are interesting not just for their geographical range, but also for the different types of court they cover. Each volume includes a detailed index, which is obviously very useful.

There are transcriptions and extracts from early church records in Scotland:

• Records of the Presbyteries of Inverness and Dingwall, 1643-1688
• Rentale Dunkeldense, Being accounts of the bishopric, A.D. 1505-1517, with Mylin's 'Lives of the Bishops', A.D. 1483-1517
• Stirling Presbytery records 1581-1587
• Perth Kirk Session books, 1577-1590
• Register of the minister, elders and deacons of the Christian congregation of St. Andrews comprising the proceedings of the Kirk Session and of the Court of the Superintendent of Fife Fothrik and Strathearn, 1559-1600
• Minutes of the Synod of Argyll, 1639-1651 (1652-1661)

Another group of early church records concern Scotland's relations with the Catholic Church and the Vatican. These include some of the earliest surviving references to one of my own families (Carstairs of Fife):

• Calendar of Scottish supplications to Rome, 1428-1432
• Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Clement VII of Avignon, 1378-1394
• Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Benedict XIII of Avignon, 1394-1419
• Calendar of Scottish supplications to Rome, 1418-1422 (and 1423-1438)

There are a number of volumes relating to estates, including estate surveys:

• Survey of Lochtayside, 1769 Made by John Farquharson and John McArthur
• John Home's survey of Assynt
• Argyll Estate instructions: Mull, Morvern, Tiree 1771-1805

Several other collections of local records are worth mentioning:

• Ayr Burgh accounts, 1534-1624
• Early records of the Burgh of Aberdeen 1317, 1398-1407
• Aberdeen Guild Court records 1437-1468
• Selections from the records of the regality of Melrose, 1605-1661 (1662-1676, 1547-1706)
• Records of the Earldom of Orkney, 1299-1614

Scotland has a long tradition of links to Poland, stretching back hundreds of years. As well as trade, many thousands of Scots settled, particularly in northern Poland. In more recent times, tens of thousands of Poles have moved to Scotland (and indeed I myself lived in southern Poland for a while in the early 1990s). In that context, Papers relating to the Scots in Poland 1576-1793 is a very useful starting point. Research in this area continues to the present day by among others Dr David Worthington of the University of the Highlands and Islands.

The final volume I want to mention is an unusual one. Alexander Webster was a Church of Scotland, born in Edinburgh, although his father was a Covenanting minister from Fife. In 1742, he proposed a pensions scheme for widows of Church of Scotland ministers which, with some adaptations, was eventually adopted, and was one of the pioneering works in actuarial studies. His work drew the attention of the government, which in 1755 commissioned him to produce data for the first population census of Scotland. Unlike later censuses, Webster's work did not include names, but was just a count of the population in each parish. It includes the number of Catholics, the number of Protestants, and the number of "fighting men" in each parish. Webster's work is reproduced, together with population counts for subsequent censuses, in Scottish population statistics. Although not very useful for genealogists, it does provide the earliest population count for most of the parishes in Scotland, and is therefore very useful for historical demographers.


​Scottish History Society Publications

Tours in Scotland 1747, 1750, 1760
By Richard Pococke ... From the original MS and drawings in the British Museum. edited with a biographical sketch of the author by Daniel William Kemp. [With a portrait.]
Published 1887

Diary and general expenditure book of William Cunningham of Craigends ... kept chiefly from 1673 to 1680
edited from the original manuscript by ... James Dodds.
Published 1887

Grameid: an heroic poem descriptive of the campaign of Viscount Dundee in 1689, and other pieces
By James Philip ... edited ... with translation, introduction and notes by ... Alexander D. Murdoch.
Published 1888

Diary of the Reverend John Mill, minister of the parishes of Dunrossness Sandwick and Cunningsburgh in Shetland, 1740-1803. With selections from local records and original documents relating to the district
edited, with introduction and notes by Gilbert Goudie. [With illustrations and a map.]
Published 1889

Narrative of Mr. James Nimmo, written for his own satisfaction to keep in some remembrance the Lord's way, dealing and kindness towards him, 1654-1709
edited from the original manuscript with introduction and notes by W.G. Scott-Moncrieff. [With a genealogical table.]
Published 1889

List of persons concerned in the rebellion, transmitted to the Commissioners of Excise by the several supervisors in Scotland in obedience to a general letter of the 7th May 1746, and a supplementary list with evidences to prove the same
With a preface by the Earl of Rosebery and annotations by ... Walter Macleod.
Published 1890

Book of record - a diary written by Patrick, First Earl of Strathmore, and other documents relating to Glamis Castle, 1684-1689
edited from the original MSS. at Glamis, with introduction and notes by A.H. Millar. [With plates, including a portrait.]
Published 1890

History of Greater Britain, as well England as Scotland
Compiled ... by John Major ... Translated from the original Latin and edited with notes by Archibald Constable; to which is prefixed a life of the author by Aeneas J.G. Mackay.
Published 1892

Court book of the Barony of Urie in Kincardineshire, 1604-1747
edited from the original manuscript, with notes and introduction, by ... Douglas Gordon Barron. [With a plate and a map.]
Published 1892

Memoirs of the life of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, baronet, Baron of the Exchequer Extracted by himself from his own journals 1676-1755
edited from the manuscript in Penicuik House with an introduction and notes by John M. Gray. [With plates, including portraits.]
Published 1892

Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687
edited from the original manuscript, with introduction and notes, by ... Walter Macleod. [With a portrait.]
Published 1893

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (First volume)
Contents: The library of James VI. In the hand of Peter Young, his tutor, 1573-1583 / G.F. Warner - Documents illustrating Catholic policy in the reign of James VI., 1596-1598 / Thomas Graves Law - Twenty-four letters of Sir Thomas Hope, ... 1627-1646 / Robert Paul - Civil war papers, 1643-1650 / H.F. Morland Simpson - Thirty-four letters written to James Sharp, ... 1660-1677 / John Dowden - The diary of George Turnbull, minister of Alloa and Tyninghame, 1657-1704 / Robert Paul - The Masterton papers, 1660-1719 / V.A. Noel Paton - Accompt of expenses in Edinburgh by Alexander Rose of Kilravock, 1715 / A.H. Millar - Papers about the Rebellions of 1715 and 1745 / Henry Paton - General index - Index to the library of James VI.
Published 1893

Account book of Sir John Foulis of Ravelston, 1671-1707
edited from the original manuscript, with introduction and glossary, by ... A.W. Cornelius Hallen.
Published 1894

Letters and papers illustrating the relations between Charles the Second and Scotland in 1650
edited, with notes and introduction, by Samuel Rawson Gardiner. Spine title: Charles II and Scotland in 1650. 16 pages immediately following text contain List of members of the Scottish History Society, July 1894. Last 16 pages contain Report of the Seventh Annual Meeting of the Scottish History Society.
Published 1894

Scotland and the commonwealth. Letters and papers relating to the military government of Scotland, from August 1651 to December 1653
edited, with introduction and notes, by C.H. Firth.
Published 1895

Jacobite attempt of 1719 Letters of James Butler, second Duke of Ormonde, relating to Cardinal Alberoni's project for the invasion of Great Britain on behalf of the Stuarts
edited, with an introduction, notes and an appendix of original documents, by William Kirk Dickson. [With a portrait.]
Published 1895

Records of the Presbyteries of Inverness and Dingwall, 1643-1688
edited, with an introduction, from the original manuscript, by William Mackay. [With a facsimile.]
Published 1896

Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston, Lord Wariston, 1639
Editor: Paul, George Morison, 1839-1926
Contents: The preservation of the Honours of Scotland, 1651-52; Lord Mar's legacies, 1722-27; Letters concerning Highland affairs in the 18th century, by Mrs. Grant of Laggan. Wariston's diary edited by George Morison Paul.
Published 1896

Itinerary of Prince Charles Edward Stuart from his landing in Scotland, July 1745, to his departure in September 1746
Compiled from The Lyon in mourning [by Robert Forbes], supplemented and corrected from other contemporary sources by Walter Biggar Blaikie. Map in pocket: "A map to illustrate the movements of Prince Charles Edward Stuart ..."
Published 1897

Memorials of John Murray of Broughton, sometime secretary to Prince Charles Edward, 1740-1747
edited, with an introduction, notes and an appendix of original documents, by Robert Fitzroy Bell. [With plates, including portraits and a facsimile.]
Published 1898

Compt Buik of David Wedderburne, merchant of Dundee, 1587-1630. Together with the shipping lists of Dundee, 1580-1618
edited from the original manuscripts, with introduction and notes, by A.H. Millar. [With genealogical tables.]
Published 1898

Scotland and the protectorate. Letters and papers relating to the military government of Scotland from January, 1654 to June, 1659
edited, with introduction and notes, by C.H. Firth. [With a map and plans.]
Published 1899

Genealogical collections concerning families in Scotland, made by Walter Macfarlane, 1750-1751
edited from the original manuscripts in the Advocates' Library, by James Toshach Clark.
Published 1900

Journals of Sir John Lauder, Lord Fountainhall, with his observations on public affairs and other memoranda, 1665-1676
edited with introduction and notes by Donald Crawford. [With portraits.]
Published 1900

Papers Illustrating the History of the Scots Brigade in the service of the United Netherlands, 1572-1782
Extracted by permission from the Government Archives at The Hague, and edited by James Ferguson
Contents: v. 1. The war of independence, 1572-1609. The time of the twelve years' truce, 1609-1621. The thirty years' war, 1621-1648. The age of William of Orange and the British revolution, 1649-1697.-v. 2. The war of the Spanish succession, 1698-1712. The period of peace, 1713-1742. The war of the Austrian succession, 1742-1749. The last days of the Brigade, 1750-1782.-v. 3. The Rotterdam papers, 1709-82. The remembrance: a metrical account of the war in Flanders, 1701-12, by John Scot, soldier.
Published 1901

Papal negotiations with Mary Queen of Scots during her reign in Scotland, 1561-1567
edited from the original documents in the Vatican archives and elsewhere / by John Hungerford Pollen.
Published 1901

Diary of Andrew Hay of Craignethan 1659-1660
edited, with introduction and notes, by Alexander George Reid.
Published 1901

Cromwellian union Papers relating to the negotiations for an incorporating union between England and Scotland, 1651-1652, with an appendix of papers relating to the negotiations in 1670
edited, with introduction and notes, by C. Sanford Terry.
Published 1902

Loyall dissuasive And other papers concerning the affairs of Clan Chattan by Sir Æneas Macpherson, knight of Invereshie, 1691-1705
edited, with notes and introduction, from the originals at Cluny castle, by Alexander D. Murdoch.
Published 1902

Chartulary of the Abbey of Lindores, 1195-1479
edited from the original manuscript ... with translation and abstracts of the charters, illustrative notes and appendices by John Dowden. Documents in Latin with English translation. The introduction contains a history of the abbey, and a biography of the founder, David, earl of Huntingdon.
Published 1903

Letter from Mary Queen of Scots to the Duke of Guise, January 1562 Reproduced in facsimile from the original manuscript in the possession of the late John Scott, of Halkshill, Esq., C.B.
edited, with translation, historical introduction and appendix of original documents, by John Hungerford Pollen.
Published 1904

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Second volume)
Editor: Firth, C. H. (Charles Harding), 1857-1936
Contents: The Scottish king's household and other fragments from a 14th century manuscript / Mary Bateson - The Scottish nation in the University of Orleans, 1336-1538 / John Kirkpatrick - Muster-roll of the French garrison at Dunbar, 1553 / Robert S. Rait - The antiquity of the Christian religion among the Scots, 1594 / Henry D.G. Law - The apology for William Maitland of Lethington, 1610 / Andrew Lang - Some letters and correspondence of George Graeme / L.G. Graeme - A Scottish journie, being an account in verse of a tour from Edinburgh to Glasgow in 1641, by P.J. / C.H. Firth - Narratives illustrating the Duke of Hamilton's expedition to England in 1648 / C.H. Firth - Certain papers of Robert Burnet ... Gilbert Burnet ... and Robert Leighton / H.C. Foxcroft - Letters and documents relating to Robert Erskine, physician to Peter the Great, 1677-1720 / Robert Paul - The will of Charlotte Stuart, Duchess of Albany, 1789 / Francis Steuart - Index.
Published 1904

Letters of John Cockburn of Ormistoun to his gardener 1727-1744
edited, with introduction and notes, by James Colville.
Published 1904

Records of a Scottish cloth manufactory at New Mills, Haddingtonshire, 1681-1703
edited from the original manuscripts, with introduction and notes, by W. R. Scott.
Published 1905

Chronicles of the Frasers The Wardlaw manuscript entitled 'Polichronicon seu Policratica temporum, or, the true genealogy of the Frasers', 916-1674 / by James Fraser
edited from the original manuscript with notes and introduction, by William Mackay.
Published 1905

Records of the Proceedings of the Justiciary Court Edinburgh, 1661-1678
edited, with introduction and notes from a ms. In the possession of John W. Weston, esq., by W.G. Scott-Moncrieff and with additional notes by the owner of the manuscript.
Published 1905

Records of the Baron court of Stitchill 1655-1807
transcribed by George Gunn ; edited by Clement B. Gunn. "Introduction" by George Gunn: p. ix-xxxix.
Published 1905

Statutes of the Scottish Church, 1225-1559 Being a translation of Concilia Scotiae: Ecclesiae Scoticanae statuta tam provincialia quam synodalia quae supersunt.
With introduction and notes by David Patrick.
Published 1907

Ochtertyre House booke of accomps, 1737-1739
edited with introduction and a glossary by James Colville. [With a genealogical table.]
Published 1907

Charters, bulls and other documents relating to the Abbey of Inchaffray. Chiefly from the originals in the charter chest of the Earl of Kinnoull
edited by William Alexander Lindsay ... John Dowden ... John Maitland Thomson ... With map and facsimiles.
Published 1908

Selection of Scottish forfeited estates papers. 1715; 1745
edited from the original documents, with introduction and appendices, by A.H. Millar.
Published 1909

De Unione Regnorum Britanniae Tractatus
By Sir Thomas Craig. edited from the manuscript in the Advocates' Library, with a translation and notes by C. Sanford Terry.
Published 1909

Household book of Lady Grisell Baillie 1692-1733
edited, with notes and introduction, by Robert Scott-Moncrieff.
Published 1911

Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708
edited, with introduction and annotations, by James Grant.
Published 1912

Rentale Sancti Andree, being the chamberlain and granitar accounts of the archbishopric in the time of Cardinal Betoun, 1538-1546
Translated and edited by Robert Kerr Hannay. [With a facsimile.]
Published 1913

Records of the Earldom of Orkney, 1299-1614
edited with introduction and notes by J. Storer Clouston.
Contents: Early records - Decrees, and other records, of the courts - Dispositions of land in Orkney - Dispositions of tenements in Kirkwall - A few miscellaneous documents.
Published 1914

Letter-book of Bailie John Steuart of Inverness 1715-1752
edited by William Mackay.
Published 1915

Rentale Dunkeldense Being accounts of the bishopric, A.D. 1505-1517, with Mylin's 'Lives of the Bishops', A.D. 1483-1517.
Translated and edited by Robert Kerr Hannay. And a note on the cathedral church by F.C. Eeles.
Published 1915

Letters relating to Scotland in the reign of Queen Anne
By James Ogilvy, First Earl of Seafield, and others. edited by P. Hume Brown.
Published 1915

Papers relating to the Scots in Poland 1576-1793
edited with an introduction by A. Francis Steuart. A collection made by and in part edited by Miss Beatrice Baskerville; translations from Latin by J. Mackay Thomson - Preface.
Published 1915

Origins of the 'Forty-five And other papers relating to that rising
edited by Walter Biggar Blaikie.
Published 1916

Contribution to the bibliography of Scottish topography
By Sir Arthur Mitchell and C.G. Cash. Edinburgh : Printed by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish History Society, 1917. 2 volumes: 2nd series, volumes 14 and 15.
Published 1917

Papers relating to the Army of the Solemn League and Covenant, 1643-1647
edited with an introduction by Charles Sanford Terry.
Published 1917

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society
Contents: Dundee court-martial records, 1651 / edited by Godfrey Davies - The bishop of Galloway's correspondence, 1679-1685 / edited by William Douglas - The diary of Sir James Hope, 1646-1654 / edited by Sir James Balfour Paul - Instructions for the trial of Patrick Graham, 1476 / edited by Robert Kerr Hannay - The Scottish contributions to the distressed church of France, 1622 / edited by D. Hay Fleming - The Forbes baron court book, 1659-1678 / edited by J. Maitland Thomson.
Published 1919

Diary of George Ridpath, minister of Stitchel, 1755-1761
edited with notes and introduction by Sir James Balfour Paul.
Published 1922

Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot
edited [With introduction], from the original documents in the Public Record Office, the Yelverton MSS. ... by John Hungerford Pollen.
Published 1922

Papers from the collection of Sir William Fraser
edited by J.R.N. Macphail.
Published 1924

Papers relating to the ships and voyages of the company of Scotland trading to Africa and the Indies, 1696-1707
edited by George Pratt Insh.
Published 1924

Early records of the University of St. Andrews The graduation roll, 1413 to 1579, and the matriculation roll, 1473 to 1579
transcribed and edited by James Maitland Anderson.
Published 1926

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Fourth volume)
Editor: Campbell, Herbert and Seton, B. G. (Bruce Gordon), Sir, 1868-1932
Contents: Commentary on the expedition to Scotland made by Charles Edward Stuart, Prince of Wales / by Guilio Cesare Cordara ; edited by Sir Bruce Seton - The manuscript history of Craignish / by Alexander Campbell ; edited by Herbert Campbell - Miscellaneous charters, 1165-1399, from transcripts in the collection of the late Sir William Fraser / edited by William Angus.
Published 1926

Scottish correspondence of Mary of Lorraine Including some three hundred letters from 20th February 1542-3 to 15th May 1560
edited by Annie I. Cameron.
Published 1927

Journal of Thomas Cuningham of Campvere, 1640-54, with his thrissels-banner and explication thereof
edited by Elinor Joan Courthope. [With plates, including a facsimile.]
Published 1928

Sheriff Court Book of Fife, 1515-1522
Transcribed and edited, with an introduction, notes, and appendices, by William Croft Dickinson.
Published 1928

Minutes of the justices of the peace for Lanarkshire, 1707-1723
Transcribed and edited by Charles A. Malcolm.
Published 1931

Warrender papers
edited by Annie I. Cameron ... with an introduction by Robert S. Rait.
Published 1931

Flodden papers
Diplomatic correspondence between the courts of France and Scotland 1507-1517. edited by Marguerite Wood.
Published 1933

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Fifth volume)
Editor: Greig, J. Y. T. (John Young Thomson), 1891-1963; Dickson, William Kirk, 1860-1949; Marchmont, Hugh Hume, Earl of, 1708-1794; Dunlop, Annie I., 1897-1973; and Tayler, Henrietta, 1869-1951
Contents: Miscellaneous charters, 1315-1401, edited from transcripts in the collection of the late Sir William Fraser / William Angus - Bagimond's roll for the Archdeaconry of Teviotdale, from a thirteenth-century transcript in the Vatican archives / Annie I. Cameron - Letters from John, Earl of Lauderdale, and others, to Sir John Gilmour, President of session / Henry M. Paton - Letters to John MacKenzie of Delvine from the Rev. Alexander Monro / William Kirk Dickson - Jacobite papers at Avignon / Henrietta Tayler - Marchmont correspondence relating to the '45 / G.F.C. Hepburne Scott - Two fragments of autobiography, by George Keith, 10th Earl Marischal of Scotland / J.Y.T. Greig.
Published 1933

Warrender letters Correspondence of Sir George Warrender, Bt., Lord provost of Edinburgh, and member of Parliament for the city, with relative papers, 1715
transcribed by Marguerite Wood ... ; edited with an introduction and notes by William Kirk Dickson.
Published 1935

Commentary on the rule of St. Augustine
By Robertus Richardinus. edited by G.G. Coulton. [With facsimiles.] Text based on a transcript from the original 1530 edition. Transcription of original t.p.: Exegesis in canonem diui Augustini rece[n]s aedita, per Fratre[m] Robertum Richardinum, celebris Ecclesiase Cambuskenalis canonicum. Lvtetiae, In aedibus Christiani VVechel sub scuto Basiliensi. 1530.
Published 1935

Survey of Lochtayside, 1769 Made by John Farquharson and John McArthur
edited with an introduction by Margaret M. McArthur. [With maps.] "The documents published in this volume represent the written part and two of the plans of a survey of the Breadalbane estates lying on the north side and the south side of Loch Tay, made in 1769 by John Farquharson and John McArthur."-Page vii.
Published 1936

Early letters of Robert Wodrow, 1698-1709
edited ... with notes and extracts from the answers to these letters ... by L.W. Sharp.
Published 1937

Ayr Burgh accounts, 1534-1624
Transcribed and edited, with an introduction, by George S. Pryde.
Published 1937

Court book of the Barony of Carnwath, 1523-1542
edited with an introduction by William Croft Dickinson.
Published 1937

Scottish Chronicle known as the Chronicle of Holyrood
edited by Marjorie Ogilvie Anderson ... With some additional notes by Alan Orr Anderson.
Published 1938

Jacobite court at Rome in 1719 From original documents at Fettercairn House and at Windsor Castle
edited by Henrietta Tayler. [With a portrait.]
Published 1938

Charters of the Abbey of Inchcolm
edited by D.E. Easson ... and Angus Macdonald. [With folding maps.]
Published 1938

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Sixth volume)
Editor: Dunlop, Annie I., 1897-1973; Easson, David Edward, 1897-; Paton, Henry M.; and Dickson, William Kirk, 1860-1949
Contents: Bagimond's Roll : statement of the tenths of the Kingdom of Scotland / edited by Annie I. Dunlop. -Foundation-charter of the Collegiate Church of Dunbar / edited by D.E. Easson. -Letters from John, Second Earl of Lauderdale, to John, Second Earl of Tweeddale, and others / edited by Henry M. Paton. -Memories of Ayrshire about 1780, by the Reverend John Mitchell, D.D. / edited by William Kirk Dickson. Includes report of the 52nd annual meeting of the Scottish History Society.
Published 1939

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Seventh volume)
Editor: Meikle, Henry W. (Henry William), 1880-1958; Stewart, Helen Catherine; and Hamilton, Marion F.
Contents: Diary of Sir William Drummond of Hawthornden, 1657-1659 / edited by Henry W. Meikle - The exiled Stewarts in Italy, 1717-1807 / edited by Helen Catherine Stewart - The Locharkaig treasure / edited by Marion F. Hamilton.
Published 1941

Two missions of Jacques de la Brosse An account of the affairs of Scotland in the year 1543 (by Jacques de la Brosse and Jacques Menage); and, the journal of the Siege of Leith, 1560
edited by Gladys Dickinson. [With a facsimile.]
Contents: Consists of two documents, in the original French with English translation. The first, Discours des affaires du Royaume descosse, by Jacques de La Brosse and Jacques Menage, is printed from ms. fonds francais no. 17890, folios 29-34, in the Bibliotheque nationale, Paris. The second, the Journal, by an unidentified author, is printed from Memoires et documents, Angleterre, reg. 15, folios 154-182, in the Archives of the Foreign office, Paris. cf. Pref.
Published 1942

Selections from the Monymusk Papers, 1713-1775
Transcribed and edited by Henry Hamilton. [With maps.]
Published 1945

Charters of the Abbey of Coupar Angus
Transcribed and edited by D.E. Easson. 2 volumes.
Published 1947

Accounts of the collectors of thirds of benefices, 1561-1572
edited by Gordon Donaldson.
Published 1949

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Eighth volume)
Editor: Easson, David Edward, 1897-; Mackie, J. D. (John Duncan), 1887-1978; Pryde, George S. (George Smith); Tayler, Henrietta, 1869-1951; and Armstrong, C. A. J. (Charles Arthur John)
Contents: Miscellaneous monastic charters / edited by D.E. Easson. -A letter of James III to the Duke of Burgundy / edited by C.A.J. Armstrong. -The English Army at Flodden / edited by J.D. Mackie. -Lord Chancellor Glamis and Theodore Beza / edited by Gordon Donaldson. -Documents relating to Prince Charles Edward's grandson / edited by Henrietta Taylor. -Papers relating to a Refrewshire farm, 1822-30 / edited by George S. Pryde.
Published 1951

Scottish population statistics, including Webster's Analysis of population, 1755
By James Gray Kyd.
Published 1952

Letters of James the Fourth, 1505-1513
Calendared by Robert Kerr Hannay ; edited, with a biographical memoir, and an introduction by R.L. Mackie ; assisted by Anne Spilman. "Report of the sixty-fourth annual meeting of the Scottish History Society": 8 p. at end.
Published 1953

Early records of the Burgh of Aberdeen 1317, 1398-1407
edited by William Croft Dickinson.
Published 1957

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Ninth volume)
Contents: Papers relating to the captivity and release of David II.-Accounts of Sir Duncan Forestar, comptroller, 1495-99.-Report by De la Brosse & D'Oysel on conditions in Scotland, 1559-1560.-Diary of Sir James Hope, 1646.-Proceedings from Prince Charles' landing to Prestonpans.
Published 1958

Wigtownshire Charters
edited by R.C. Reid. [With a genealogical table.]
Published 1960

John Home's survey of Assynt
edited by R.J. Adam, with a map drawn by K.M. MacIver.
Contents: Introduction.-The survey of Assynt.-Home's accounts.-Appendix A. Tenants and inhabitants of Assynt.-Appendix R. Alexander Mackenzie of Ardloch's accounts as factor of Assynt, 1764-1773.
Published 1960

Court book of the Burgh of Kirkintilloch 1658-1694
edited by George S. Pryde.
Published 1963

Argyll Estate instructions: Mull, Morvern, Tiree 1771-1805
edited by Eric R. Cregeen. With a portrait and maps. The maps are in a pocket on the back cover. Includes the report of the 77th annual meeting of the Scottish History Society.
Published 1964

Acta Facultatis Artium Universitatis Sanctiandree, 1413-1588
edited by Annie I. Dunlop. 2 volumes. "First published for the University Court of the University of St. Andrews (St. Andrews University publications no. LVI)-by Oliver and Boyd, 1964."
Published 1964

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society
Editor: Murray, Athol L. (Athol Laverick) and Burns, Charles
Contents: E.W.M. Balfour-Mellville (1887-1963), a memoir / by D.B. Horn. - Bagimond's roll for the diocese of Moray / edited by Charles Burns - Accounts of the King's Pursemaster, 1539-1540 / edited by Athol L. Murray. - Papers of a Dundee shipping dispute, 1600-1604 / edited by W.A. McNeill - A scottish liturgy of the reign of James VI / edited by Gordon Donaldson - Lists of schoolmasters teaching Latin, 1690 / edited by Donald J. Withrington - Letters of Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun and his family, 1715-1716 / edited by Irene J. Murray - Sir John Clerk's observation on the present circumstances of Scotland, 1730 / edited by T.C. Smout - A Renfrewshire election account, 1832 / edited by William Ferguson.
Published 1965

Letters of John Ramsay of Ochtertyre, 1799-1812
edited by Barbara L.H. Horn.
Published 1966

Court books of Orkney and Shetland 1614-1615
Transcribed and edited by Robert S. Barclay.
Contents: [Illustrated.] Includes Scottish History Society, 1886-1966: a commemorative record.
Published 1967

Minutes of Edinburgh Trades Council, 1859-1873
edited by Ian MacDougall.
Published 1968

Dundee textile industry, 1790-1885 From the papers of Peter Carmichael of Arthurstone
edited by Enid Gauldie.
Published 1969

Calendar of Scottish supplications to Rome, 1428-1432
edited by Annie I. Dunlop and Ian B. Cowan.
Published 1970

Papers on Sutherland Estate Management 1802-1816
edited by R.J. Adam. 2 volumes. Map in pocket of Volume 1.
Published 1972

William Melrose in China, 1845-1855 The letters of a Scottish tea merchant
edited by Hoh-cheung Mui and Lorna H. Mui.
Published 1973

Papers on Scottish electoral politics, 1832-1854
edited by J.I. Brash.
Published 1974

Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Clement VII of Avignon, 1378-1394
edited [and translated from the Latin] by Charles Burns. Annie I. Dunlop (1897-1973) : a memoir / by Ian B. Cowan. Includes the annual report of the Society.
Published 1976

Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Benedict XIII of Avignon, 1394-1419
edited [and translated from the Latin] by Francis McGurk. Includes the annual report of the Society.
Published 1976

Scottish industrial history A miscellany
edited by Rae, Thomas I. And Smout, T. C. (T. Christopher)
Published 1978

Papers on Peter May, land surveyor, 1749-1793
edited by Ian H. Adams. Includes bibliographic references and index..
Published 1979

Autobiography of John McAdam (1806-1883) With selected letters
edited by Janet Fyfe.
Published 1980

Stirling Presbytery records 1581-1587
edited by James Kirk.
Published 1981

Government of Scotland under the Covenanters, 1637-1651
edited by David Stevenson.
Contents: Introduction - Conventions, abbreviations and glossary - Calendars. Committee of Estates, October to November 1645 - Committee of Estates, May 1648 - Committee for Dispatches, January to March 1649 - Committee for Dispatches, May to August 1649 - Committee for Managing the Affairs of the Army, April to May 1651 - Appendices. Sessions of Parliament and the Convention of Estates - Presidents of Parliament - General Executive Committees (Committees of Estates and for Dispatches) - Army Committees of Estates - Financial Committees - Session General Preparative Committees -Clerks of the Committee of Estates etc. - Financial officials - Committee records.
Published 1982

Knights of St John of Jerusalem in Scotland
edited by Ian B. Cowan, P.H.R. Mackay and Alan Macquarrie.
Published 1983

Scottish firm in Virginia 1767-1777 W. Cuninghame and Co
edited by T.M. Devine.
Published 1984

Jacobean Union Six tracts of 1604
edited by Bruce R. Galloway and Brian P. Levack
Contents: Introduction - Of the union of Britayne / by R. Pont - A treatise about the union of England and Scotland - A treatise of the happie and blissed unioun / by J. Russell - A brief consideracion of the unyon of twoe kingedomes / by J. Doddridge - Of the union / by Sir H. Spelman -Historicall collections / by Sir H. Savile - Appendix: Tracts and treatises on the union, 1603-1605. The Regal Union of England and Scotland took place in March 1603 when James VI of Scotland acceded to the English throne. In order to strengthen the regal union James set out to reduce these differences. As a result, a large number of tracts were written on "the union" in both countries. The main purpose of this volume is to expand the amount of readily accessible material by printing six of the more important treatises - Introd.
Published 1985

Acts of the lords of the Isles, 1336-1493
edited by Jean Munro and R.W. Munro.
Published 1986

Scottish texts and calendars An analytical guide to serial publications
by David and Wendy B. Stevenson.
Published 1987

Government and social conditions in Scotland, 1845-1919
edited by Ian Levitt.
Published 1988

Letters of George Lockhart of Carnwath, 1698-1732
edited by Daniel Szechi.
Published 1989

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society, Volume 11
Editor: Scott, Andrew Murray
Contents: Thomas Ian Rae, 1926-1989, a memoir / by Ian B. Cowan - A plea roll of Edward I's army in Scotland, 1296 / edited by C.J. Neville - Letters of John Graham of Claverhouse / edited by Andrew Murray Scott - Some late seventeenth-century building contracts / edited by J.G. Dunbar and Katherine Davies - Correspondence relating to Millburn Tower and its garden, 1804-1829 / edited by Clare Taylor.
Published 1990

Calendar of Fearn Text and additions, 1471-1667
edited by R. J. Adam. Includes the Society's 104th annual report, Dec. 8, 1990.
Published 1992

Scottish Office Depression and reconstruction 1919-1959
edited by Ian Levitt.
Published 1992

History of the union of Scotland and England
By Sir John Clerk of Penicuik ; extracts from his MS "De Imperio Britannico" translated and edited by Douglas Duncan.
Published 1993

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society, Volume 12
edited by A.A.M. Duncan and others.
Contents: A question about the succession, 1364 / edited by A.A.M. Duncan - Autobiography, 1626-1670, of John Hay, 2nd earl of Tweeddale / edited by Maurice Lee, Jr. - Letters of Lord Balmerino to Harry Maule, 1710-1713, 1721-1722 / edited by Clyve Jones - Strike bulletins from the General Strike in Scotland, 1926 / edited by Ian MacDougall.
Published 1994

George Buchanan The political poetry
edited with translation and commentary by Paul J. McGinnis and Arthur H. Williamson. Edinburgh : Printed for the Scottish History Society by Lothian Print, 1995. Text in English and Latin on facing pages; notes and commentary in English.
Published 1995

Campbell letters 1559-1583
edited by Jane E.A. Dawson.
Published 1997

Religious controversy in Scotland 1625-1639
edited by David George Mullan.
Published 1998

Scotland and the Americas, c. 1650 - c. 1939 A documentary source book
edited by Allan I. Macinnes, Marjory-Ann D. Harper & Linda G. Fryer.
Published 2002

Mid and East Lothian Miners' Association minutes 1894-1918
edited by Ian MacDougall.
Published 2003

Miscellany of the Scottish History Society XIII
Contents: Eight thirteenth-century texts / edited by W.W. Scott - Dunfermline gild court book, 1433-1597: missing folios / edited by E. Patricia Dennison - A memorandum on the customs, 1597 / edited by Athol L. Murray - The trial of Geillis Johnstone for witchcraft, 1614 / edited by Michael B. Wasser & Louise A. Yeoman - An early seventeenth-century Scottish conversion narrative / edited by David G. Mullan - Fiscal Feudalism in seventeenth-century Scotland / edited by Julian M. Goodare - Witchcraft cases from the register of commissioners of the privy council of Scotland, 1630-1642 / edited by Louise A. Yeoman - John Hay, earl of Tweeddale, 'Relatione of the wrangs done to the Ladie Yester, 1683' / edited by Maurice Lee, Jr - Colin Maclaurin's Journal of the 'Forty-five / edited by Bruce A. Hedman.
Published 2004

Aberdeen Guild Court records 1437-1468
edited by Elizabeth Gemmill.
Published 2005

Chronicle of Melrose Abbey A stratigraphic edition. Vol. 1, Introduction and facsimile edition
Dauvit Broun & Julian Harrison.
Published 2007

Perth Kirk Session books, 1577-1590
edited by Margo Todd.
Published 2012

Travels in Scotland 1788-1881 A selection from contemporary tourist journals
edited by Alastair J. Durie. Woodbridge, Suffolk: Scottish History Society in association with The Boydell Press, 2012.
Contents: Introduction: Tourist travels in Scotland ; Elizabeth Diggle: Journal of a tour from London to the Highlands of Scotland, 19 April to 7 August 1788 ; Adam Bald: Journal of travels and commonplace book, 1790-99 ; Anon: Tours to the Highlands, 1817 and 1818 ; Thomas Adam: Journal of an excursion to Loch Maree, 24 June to 13 July 1857 ; Henry Underhill: Tour in Scotland, Autumn 1868 ; Mary Allison: Uncle and Aunt's trip to Butterbridge, July 1881.
Published 2012

Register of the minister, elders and deacons of the Christian congregation of St. Andrews comprising the proceedings of the Kirk Session and of the Court of the Superintendent of Fife Fothrik and Strathearn, 1559-1600
Transcribed and edited from the original manuscript with preface and notes by David Hay Fleming.
Published 1889-1890

Records of the Commissions of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland holden in Edinburgh in the years 1646 and 1647[-1652]
edited from the original manuscript by Alexander F. Mitchell and James Christie ... With an introduction by the former. 3 volumes. [The third volume edited by James Christie, with an introduction by Lord Guthrie.]
Published 1892-1909

Lyon in mourning, or, A collection of speeches, letters, journals etc. relative to the affairs of Prince Charles Edward Stuart
By Robert Forbes. edited with a preface by Henry Paton.
Published 1895-1896

Diplomatic correspondence of Jean de Montereul and the brothers de Bellievre, French ambassadors in England and Scotland, 1645-48
edited, with an English translation, introduction and notes, by J.G. Fotheringham.
Published 1898-1899

Geographical Collections relating to Scotland
Made by Walter MacFarlane. edited from Macfarlane's transcript in the Advocates' Library by Sir Arthur Mitchell. In three volumes. Illustrations, folded facsimile.
Published 1906-1908

Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston, 1650-1654
edited from the original manuscript, with notes and introduction, by George Morison Paul, (David Hay Fleming, James D. Ogilvie). 3 volumes: Series 1, volume 61, Series 2, volume 18; Series 3. volume 34. (See also DOD ID 125651999 and DOD ID 125885870.)
Published 1911-1940

Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston, 1655-1660
edited from the original manuscript, with notes and introduction, by George Morison Paul, (David Hay Fleming, James D. Ogilvie). 3 volumes: Series 1, volume 61; Series 2, volume 18; Series 3, volume 34. (See also DOD ID 125651999 and DOD ID 126513633.)
Published 1911-1940

Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston 1632-1639
edited from the original manuscript, with notes and introduction, by George Morison Paul. 3 volumes: Series 1, volume 61; Series 2, volume 18; Series 3, volume 34. (See also DOD ID 126513633 and DOD ID 125885870.)
Published 1911-1940

Selections from the records of the regality of Melrose, 1605-1661 (1662-1676, 1547-1706)
edited from the original volumes in the Register House, Edinburgh, and in the hands of Mr. James Curle (the Earle of Haddington, and others) by Charles S. Romanes.
Published 1914-1917

Highland papers
edited by J. R. N. MacPhail. Edinburgh : Scottish History Society, 1914-1934. 4 volumes: 2nd series, volumes 5, 12 and 20; 3rd series, volume 22.
Published 1914-1934

Highland papers
edited by J.R.N. Macphail.
Published 1914-1934

Register of the consultations of the ministers of Edinburgh and some other brethren of the ministry
edited by Rev. William Stephen.
Published 1921-1930

Foreign correspondence with Marie de Lorraine, Queen of Scotland, from the originals in the Balcarres papers
edited by Marguerite Wood.
Published 1923-1925

Prisoners of the '45
edited from the state papers by Sir Bruce Gordon Seton ... and Jean Gordon Arnot. 3 volumes: 3rd series; volumes 13-15.
Published 1928-1929

Calendar of Scottish supplications to Rome, 1418-1422
edited by E.R. Lindsay and A. I. Cameron. (1423-1428. edited by Annie I. Dunlop.).
Published 1934-1956

Minutes of the Synod of Argyll, 1639-1651 (1652-1661)
edited by Duncan C. MacTavish.
Published 1943-1944

Account of the proceedings of the Estates in Scotland, 1689-1690
edited by E.W.M. Balfour-Melville.
Published 1954-1955

British Linen Company, 1745-1775
edited by Alastair J. Durie.

Journal of my life and everyday doings 1879-81, 1885-92
By James Wilson, farmer in Banffshire ; edited by Peter Hillis.
Contents: James Wilson's foreword - Vol. 1, Jan. 1879-Dec. 1881 - Vol. 3, June 1885-May 1888 - Vol. 4, May 1888-Jan. 1892 - Appendix 1. A selection of poems by James Wilson - Appendix 2. Lectures and essays given to the Deskford and Ballindalloch Mutual Improvement Associations - Appendix 3. A short story by James Wilson.

Protestant piety in early-modern Scotland Letters, lives and covenants, 1650-1712
edited by David George Mullan.

Scottish planned villages
edited by Douglas G. Lockhart.
​
Scottish schools and schoolmasters 1560-1633 John Durkan
edited and revised by Jamie Reid-Baxter
Contents: Schools before the Reformation - The impact of the Reformation - Schools after the Reformation - Schoolbooks, grammarians and schoolmaster poets - Subjects other than grammar - Schoolmasters and their status - Schooling in the Highlands - considerations and conclusions. Appendices: Scottish university matriculations 1560-1633 - Pointers for local history research - List of schools and schoolmasters in Scotland 1560-1633 - Supplementary list: schools and schoolmasters 1634-1660.

Hands up if you think Fergus should make this available as a download.  All in favour say 'Aye'!

​Rachel Bellerby of Family Tree magazine explores how you can turn a day out into a fun research trip to help you discover more about what life was like for your ancestors.

From grand stately homes set in extensive parkland, to refurbished mill workers’ housing, the UK is home to some of the world’s finest heritage attractions. But what do these have to do with your family tree, you might ask? Well, if you choose the right site and do a little homework beforehand, not only can you enjoy a fascinating day out, you’ll also come home armed with plenty more information for your family tree.

Before you go

To begin with, work out what type of site would help fill in the gaps on your family tree. If your ancestor worked in service you could visit the stately home where they were employed, or if you don’t know which ‘big house’ it was, choose one close to there your ancestor lived. Many sites have cottoned on to the fact that people like to know about the ordinary workers on a country estate as well as the aristocrats, and have opened up the servants’ quarters and kitchen areas of the house. Castle Coole in County Fermanagh, Belton House in Lincolnshire and Berrington Hall in Herefordshire are just a few of the grand houses with ‘below stairs’ exhibitions.

Or perhaps your ancestor was a mill worker and lived close to their place of work. Taking a trip to an industrial history attraction such as the World Heritage Village of Saltaire in West Yorkshire, or the Birmingham Back to Backs will give you a great idea of what living and working conditions would have been like. There are hundreds of social history and industrial history museums around the UK so there’s sure to be one where you can find out more about your ancestor’s occupation.

To make the most of your day, consider what you’d like to find out whilst you’re there. Is there a library or visitor centre on site? If so, draw up a list of questions you can either find out for yourself during your visit, or enlist the help of a member of staff at the attraction.

If it’s more general social history information you’re after, take a look at the attraction’s website and work out which areas of the site will be of most interest to you. Approach the visit from the point of view of a researcher as well as a visitor and you may be surprised at what you’re able to find out.

Enjoying the day

On the day of your visit, take along a pencil and notebook and if possible, a working copy of your family tree, or at least some of the details of the ancestor you’re researching. If the site offers guided tours, sign up, as you’ll often find out plenty more detail from your guide than is available on information boards in the various rooms. Site volunteers are usually very knowledgeable and many live in the local area and so may have information on local families of the past.

The site’s guidebook will also have lots of information that’s not on the website and don’t forget the gift shop, as these often stock local history books that can be difficult to find elsewhere. If you can, sign up for the site’s e-newsletter, as many of these give details of upcoming talks, behind the scenes tours and living history events.

Once your visit is complete, have a think about how what you’ve seen and learnt could take its place in your family’s story. Photographs of the place could be added to the relevant ancestor’s paper file or computer record, whilst details of working conditions or job roles can be kept on file to help build up a picture of what life was like for the ancestor in question.

Resources
* Check out this interactive map of UK museums, searchable by location and subject
* Heritage Open Days let you see behind the scenes of historic buildings each September
* Find more ideas for exploring your ancestry with Family Tree magazine

(Image shows Birmingham Back to Backs and is copyright Tony Hisgett)