Genealogy Chat

I currently have a family line that all seem to have been born in Kilsyth. My direct ancestor was born c1838. So, any ideas on how to get ahold of parish registers etc. for that area and time period? Margaret

Nudging for Margaret

Have you looked at Scotland's People website - parish & statutory records are indexed there and many have the images available. - Karen

Thanks for the nudge Jan. Karen, I found the records on IGI and want to get copies of the entries for verification. Some of the entries I cannot find on SP - received an answer from SP re: where else I can check: 'If you are unable to find the entries you are looking for on Scotlands People that may be because they are just not there. Prior to 1855 it was not compulsory to register events and we only hold Presbyterian Church of Scotland records.' Of the records that are available, I would like to get more than just my direct line. Unfortunately not all images are available online and with the exchange rate each record for my direct line is going to cost me $25. Can't see spending that amount while I'm still trying to verify that these people are mine. How come SP certificates cost so much? I'd be quite happy with a 'non-certified copy' for a whole lot less - don't need it for legal purposes, just for the information it contains. Margaret

Margaret The extracts that SP produce cost £10 which is slightly more that the English certificates. It seems they only issue 'extracts' ie a legal copy although in fact, particularly on the Parish Records these are just a verified photo copy. They are working towards getting most images up and on line this year. It may be best waiting until they have, you can register with them so that you get an emai as soon as any are uploaded. I have researched a line of my family through SP and now am dealing with those in England and I have to say, I wish they were all in Scoland, I find SP much easier and cheaper. One other thing, as they say registration was not compulsory until 1855, but also SP only lists the Church of Scotland entries. Any others will be 'non conformists' and although available at records offices they are not included on SP at the moment. As I have rellies that fall in to 'non conformist' catergory I did ask about this and they told me that the recognised 'church' changed many times in the history of Scotland so its not always easy to establish who was a non conformist. I can't think of a way for you to view the parish registers other than in edinburgh and thats obviously not possible. If the IGI records you have are taken from the parish registers and not 'submitted' then I'd work with them until you can 'view' the images on SP. Sorry not to be of more help. Karen