Paisley Central Library welcomes Robin Gibb in search for ancestors

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David Weir, Heritage Officer with Renfrewshire Council, said, "The Poor Law Records list all the people who applied to the parish for poor relief – an early form of unemployment benefit.

"After the Register of Births, Deaths & Marriages and the census, Poor Law Records give the most useful information when someone is trying to track down their ancestors.

"Here in Paisley we have the actual documents. Our collection starts in 1839 and runs until the NHS was set up in 1948, although some of the records are still closed to the public because of confidentiality. They are very good and very detailed. They cover parents, children and family relationships along with dates of birth. This means you can be pretty certain you are looking at the right person.

"There was never enough money to pay all the people who needed Poor Relief and it was supposed to be confined to those with a physical disability. Strictly speaking it shouldn't have been paid to the unemployed but the authorities in Paisley recognised the hardship that followed when people couldn't get work in the local mills.

"Robin found his grandfather but you'll have to watch the programme to learn exactly what he discovered!"

Renfrewshire Council's website contains a wealth of information about how to compile a family tree and trace long lost ancestors. It gives details of the historic documents available and how to find them. Heritage staff are also happy to help with all aspects of family history.

More information can be found by visiting the Libraries page.

The Who Do You Think You Are? edition featuring Robin Gibb is being transmitted at 9pm on Wednesday 21 September on BBC1.

Press release issued: Monday 19 September 2011