New to Scotland Research, Requesting Advice

Jennifer Davies Minor

Hello! I am a beginner when it comes to genealogical research in general but even more so in Scottish research. I have a line that ends in the early 1700s in Killeren, Gatehouse of Fleet, Scotland. I am wondering if there is any historical context that might be helpful for me to understand as I begin my research into this family line? If anyone has a good book, website, or other historical resource to share with me as I prepare to dive into Scottish records and sources, I would appreciate it! Thank you.

Jenni Minor

Paul W

The main website for those researching Scottish ancestry is ScotlandsPeople, found at https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SP%20-%20England%20-%20Generics%20-%20People&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3624BhBAEiwAkxgTOhN9dTLcCmhVl4254gIlc-b03G3JDoAycczUJ-EdlDxV2QfMlEBFgBoCju4QAvD_BwE .

There is also the National Records of Scotland website at https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/family-history

Also, Ancestry, Find My Past, and even the FamilySearch website, have indexed Scottish records.

For copies of records, there is is paywall (for most) at ScotlandsPeople, although there are some that are free to view.

I suggest you visit all these sites and, in particular, register (for free) to use ScotlandsPeople.

If you have any specific queries, do post them here. I would warn you that Scottish parish records cannot always be relied on for tracing your ancestry. Even where births / baptisms can be found, marriages records can be quite elusive and burial records very difficult to find. From 1855 (with civil registration) the situation improves, but that will not help with your 18th century searches, of course.

Just to add, I could not find KILLEREN in a Google search, but found Gatehouse of Fleet to have been in the parish of Girthon (Kirkcudbrightshire). Records of the parish start around 1700, but are only available to view through FamilySearch whilst at a FamilySearch Centre or Affiliate Library (i.e., they cannot be viewed from a public account from home).