Family history
Last updated
11 July 2025
Estimated reading time
1 minute
This guide will direct you to some key family history resources to get you started on your research. We're unlikely to have everything you're looking for, so throughout these pages you'll also find signposts to other organisations that may have what you need.
We offer a limited research service and can direct you to relevant resources at the Library and elsewhere.
Get started
How do I find out about my ancestors?
Tips to get you started on your family history research journey.
Find personal information
Births, deaths and marriages
Find births, deaths and marriages information about your ancestors.
eResources
Our selection of family history eResources gives you access to databases with births, deaths and marriages indexes, newspapers, and more.
Newspapers
If you're a library member with a Scottish address, you can access our online newspaper databases to search for information about your family history.
Find out where someone lived
Census records
About using census records for family history research, where you can find them, and what they can tell you.
Lists and directories
Historical lists and directories can include important information about where your ancestors lived and what kind of work they did.
Emigration records
Find out if your ancestors emigrated or moved around.
Maps
How maps can help your family history research and tell you about where your ancestors lived.
Valuation rolls
If your ancestor owned or occupied property in Scotland, valuation rolls might give you certain details of their life.
Voters' rolls
Voters rolls - or electoral registers - record the names of persons at particular addresses who are entitled to vote.
Films
Films from our Moving Image Archive collection can give you a glimpse into the lives of your ancestors.
Newspapers
If you're a library member with a Scottish address, you can access our online newspaper databases to search for information about your family history.
Find someone by occupation
Census records
About using census records for family history research, where you can find them, and what they can tell you.
Lists and directories
Historical lists and directories can include important information about where your ancestors lived and what kind of work they did.
Films
Films from our Moving Image Archive collection can give you a glimpse into the lives of your ancestors.
eResources
Our selection of family history eResources gives you access to databases with births, deaths and marriages indexes, newspapers, and more.
India Papers
Find out how the India Papers collection could be useful for your family history research.
Archives and manuscripts
Our archives and manuscript collections include letters, records and family papers which might help you find out about your family's history.
Newspapers
If you're a library member with a Scottish address, you can access our online newspaper databases to search for information about your family history.
Find out about someone's life
Census records
About using census records for family history research, where you can find them, and what they can tell you.
Films
Films from our Moving Image Archive collection can give you a glimpse into the lives of your ancestors.
Archives and manuscripts
Our archives and manuscript collections include letters, records and family papers which might help you find out about your family's history.
Newspapers
If you're a library member with a Scottish address, you can access our online newspaper databases to search for information about your family history.
Emigration records
Find out if your ancestors emigrated or moved around.
Reference books
Visit us at our General Reading Room in Edinburgh to use our family history reference book collection.
Scottish traditional culture
Find out what heraldry is and how it might be relevant to your family history.
Can't find what you need?
Send us your enquiry and someone from our team will get back to you shortly. You can also chat to us online from Monday to Saturday.