Tracing your family history

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Some tips to help you start your research -

• talk to surviving family members and record all the information they can supply
• collect as many copies of birth, marriage and death certificates as possible, this will save you time and money later on
• use the information the certificates contain, starting with the most recent, to work backwards, generation by generation
• filling out a family tree chart (see below) can be a good idea, we have provided a blank one to help you.
• our useful leaflet (see below) is packed full of information and tips to help you with your research.
  
  Family tree chart (pdf-127 KB)
  Discover your family history with Renfrewshire Libraries (pdf-1.21 MB)
  

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Using recent birth, marriage and death certificates

Civil registration began in Scotland in 1855 and the same system is still in use today. This means there is a legal requirement to record births, marriages and deaths. You can obtain copies of certificates from -

• The local Registry Office
• ScotlandsPeople

Using birth, marriage and death records from before 1855

Birth, marriage and some death records, from before 1855, were recorded in the Old Parish Registers (OPRs). These registers were administered by the Church of Scotland, which was the state church. The records are not complete, as not everyone was registered or could afford the fees charged.
The records for Renfrewshire area are available -

• on microfilm in the Local Studies Library
• online from Scotlands People website
• additional records from other denominations may be held by National Archives of Scotland

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Taking your research further


Burial records and war memorials can also be a useful source for family history research.

Many of these records can also help you if you would like to trace the history of a house.

Some tips to keep you organised

Researching your family history can be great fun and you may find out many fascinating facts about your family and the way they lived. Your research can take a lot of time, and money, so it's important to keep it organised. It is a good idea to -

• keep accurate notes as it’s easy to forget sources
• use loose-leaf binders, which are portable, when working away from home. You can always transfer your results to a computer when you get the opportunity

Copying records

The Local Studies Library can provide copying services, subject to Copyright, for some of the resources in our collection. However, not all the material in our collection is suitable for copying. Staff can advise you on our copying service. Copying charges are available on the Library Charges webpage.

How we can help with your research

We welcome local history enquiries either in person, by letter, telephone, fax or email. If using email please include your street address. We are happy to assist you in answering specific questions but it is not possible for us to undertake detailed or time consuming research. If you wish to contact us in advance of a visit or would like more information we would welcome your enquiry.

We also run free family history surgeries and have published a list of useful family history websites to help you with your research.

Reduced cost access to the 'Scotlandspeople' website

Renfrewshire library members can take advantage of reduced cost access to the Scotlandspeople website. Starter account vouchers and top-up vouchers can be purchased from any Renfrewshire library. The vouchers are priced -

• 60 credit start-up account voucher, £7 each
• 30 credit top-up voucher, £4.80 each

Other sources for information

The Family History Sources in Renfrewshire booklet can provide you with a variety of additional information sources. Renfrewshire Registration Service also provide a Genealogical Search facility.

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