Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
relating to Our Scots Genealogy Research
Q
What information do I need to send you so you can start researching my family tree?
A We need the name of someone who was born/married or died in Scotland, along with the year or date and place, if known. Any additional information you have would be useful – parents, spouse, siblings, children, whether factual or anecdotal.
Q I don’t have an exact date or place – can you still help?
A Yes – just give us all the information that you have and we will check to see if it is sufficient to start work on your Scottish ancestry.
Q What happens if you can’t find my Scottish ancestors with the information I have given you?
A We would carry out a brief check to ensure
that we could locate your ancestors, and if there was
a problem, we would advise you at no charge.
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Q My relative was born outside Scotland, but I know he was of Scottish descent. Can you trace his ancestors?
A Yes, we have friendly relationships with other professional genealogists in other countries who can undertake research for you and provide Our Scots with the necessary information to continue tracing your genealogy in Scotland.
Q What areas do you cover?
A Most of our Scottish research is carried out at New Register House in Edinburgh, where the Birth/Marriage/Death & Census records for the whole of Scotland are held.
Q How much will it cost?
A We offer packages or
bespoke research at £25.00 per hour. Copies are charged at 75p per document and we have a £21.00 set up fee which covers the cost of the Report and CD production.
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Q How do I pay you?
A We accept cheques in sterling, or credit cards via Paypal. You can also pay us using your Paypal account if you have one.
Q How long will it take you to research my
Scottish ancestry?
A It depends on how much research is required, although we can generally start work on tracing your Scots ancestry within a couple of weeks of taking your booking. After each research session, we report back to you with our findings and discuss the scope for further research. The average research request takes 6 weeks from booking to printing off the final report and would include 6 – 8 visits to consult the records.
Q What happens if you reach a dead end when
tracing my Scots ancestors?
A We would stop and consult you, especially if the work would be very time-consuming, unless we already have specific instructions. If there was no scope for continuing, we would explain why and charge you only for the actual time taken.
Q Why can’t you get a Scottish birth or death certificate prior to 1855?
A Statutory Registration (birth, marriage and death certificates, as we know them) began in Scotland in 1855. Prior to that, records of baptisms and marriage banns or proclamations were kept by the Church of Scotland – these are known as the Old Parish Registers (OPR’s)
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Q My ancestors were not members of the Church of
Scotland – is this a problem?
A No, while it means that they will not be included in the OPR’s, the other churches also kept records which we can consult, although the detail and availability varies. For example, the RC Church records are not indexed, so
it is helpful if you have quite precise details of where and when someone may have been born.
Q Why do you provide copies of all relevant
documents - birth/death/marriage/census documents?
A The source documents form the basis of your Scottish genealogy report – they are the “proof” of your lineage. Also, it is fascinating to see your relatives’ names or signatures on old documents. Wherever possible, I obtain photocopies for scanning and inclusion in your Our Scots report.
Q Can you trace living relatives?
A It can be done, and there are companies who specialise in tracing living relatives, however I do not feel comfortable undertaking this type of work. An easy way to contact living relatives is to upload your Gedcom file to one of the genealogy websites and find other people researching the same ancestors. Your Our Scots CD which comes with your family tree report will include a copy of your Gedcom file, as researched by us, ready for upload to a website.
Q Can I telephone you to discuss my Scottish
genealogy requirements?
A Absolutely – you can leave a message and we will call you back, or you can contact us between 6 and 8 pm most evenings.
Tel +44 131 654 2530. Other ways to contact
us
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Q I’m coming to Scotland and would like to try tracing my
Scots ancestry but I don’t know where to start – can you help?
A Yes, we can offer genealogy advice and training. After discussing your aims and the information that you already have, we would meet you at New Register House and take you step-by-step through the search processes. We would be there to advise and guide you as you carry out your own research.
Q
Do you offer family tree research gift vouchers?
A Genealogy gift vouchers are a great unusual present – they are available in multiples of £25.00.
See Family History Gift
Voucher
Q Can you do a family tree report as a surprise present?
A This is an increasingly popular present, especially at important times in our lives such as getting married, a “big” anniversary or having a baby. Maintaining the element of surprise can be difficult for the client as the fascinating family events of the past unfold!
Q I have old family photos – can you put them in my Our Scots
family tree report?
A We can include scans of ANY documents that you have – old letters, certificates, passenger lists and photos.
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Email us - info@ourscots.com
