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National Library of Scotland

Our archives and manuscript collections cover many aspects of the lives, activities and interests of Scots at home and abroad. Some of the types of material we have that might help with family history research are:

  • Family and estate archives

  • Emigrants' correspondence

  • Labour and trade union history

  • Missionary records.

Search the archives and manuscript catalogue to find out more about what we hold. Some of the collections are digitised but many items will only be available to look at in person. Not all of our manuscript collections are catalogued online. Get in touch if you don't find what you are looking for in the catalogue.