Business and family archives

Many important collections relating to Scottish businesses and families remain in private hands. In some cases, it is possible to visit and view these collections, or to submit a research enquiry. A number of organisations hold information on these collections.

A good place to start is The National Register of Scotland conducts regular surveys of many privately held collections, some of which may be searched on their digital catalogue. If you hold a private collection, the National Register of Archives may also provide support and advice in listing and caring for your collection.

The National Archives includes some basic information regarding privately held archives in Scotland; these can be discovered using the “Scotland” region filter, and use archive type filters “business” and “private”.

The National Archives Discovery database of UK archives

Further details about business archives in Scotland may be found through the Ballast Trust

Ballast Trust

Exploring family history

Tracing your ancestors

Family history, or genealogy, is a fascinating way of getting to know more about your own family’s story. The papers held in archival collections are essential to sketching out your family tree, putting faces to names, or filling in those details about home, community and daily life that give a real sense of your ancestors’ experiences. You can use the Your Scottish Archives search pages to find where archives which tell your family’s history may be found.

Family History Guide

We have collected some tips, tricks and resources for starting research on the history of your family. The Your Scottish Archives family history guide offers a springboard for your research, whether you are not sure how to get started, want to know which historical sources to look for, or want to delve deeper into historical professions.

Finding your own records

Accessing your information

Under Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation you have the right to request information, including information which is held about you. Have a look at the Scottish Information Commissioner’s Office guidance: What can I ask for? | Scottish Information Commissioner (itspublicknowledge.info)

The National Records of Scotland have an excellent series of NRS research guides, which include many topics which may help you to find records about yourself, your close family or your home. NRS research guides: Buildings | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

Births, deaths and marriages

Birth, death and marriage records: Birth, Death and Marriage Records | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)

Children and young people with care experience

Records kept for young people who have care experience may be found in a number of places.

An overview on where and how to access your own records is provided by FamilyConnect: Welcome to FamilyConnect – FamilyConnect

Scotland’s Children’s Reporter Administration: Accessing your information – just ask – SCRA
Children’s Hearing Scotland: Accessing information from CHS (chscotland.gov.uk)
National Records of Scotland guidance on Adoption records: Adoption Records | National Records of Scotland (nrscotland.gov.uk)
Birthlink on guidance on adoption records and support in accessing records: Accessing your records – Birthlink

If you are interested in the history of keeping records for young people in out of home care, have a

look at our Knowledge Base articles on children in the justice system and on care of young people, children and families.

Information on historic recordkeeping within Aberlour Care Trust is available here: The ARCH Project | Archiving Residential Children’s Homes (stir.ac.uk)

Who Cares lecture series: Care Experienced History Month – Untold Stories – whocaresscotland.org

Education records

The Your Scottish Archives Knowledge Base provides information on finding your own school records and University examination results, and how to request evidence of attending school.

Replacement exam certificates: Replacement certificates – Order now – SQA

Police records

You have the right to request information police records which contain information about you. Police Scotland outline how to request this information.

If you or a relative have served in the police force, it may be possible to find their service record.

Health records

NHS Scotland provides information on how you may access your own health records: Health records | NHS inform