A New Scottish Research Guide

[emanday]

Now, I'm usually very good with reference books! I've always had the rule that I must read it first, sometimes popping a Postit marker in the odd page here and there, only later going back to refer to bits as I need them.

Whenever a reference is made to "See Page#" during the first read through I resolutely Postit them and move on.

This book? Not on your life! I ended up with it propped on my desk and, as another gem of advice or observation grabbed me, there I was tapping away at this or that site.

It now looks like a demented, but very colourful hedgehog with Postits everywhere!

Thank you David =D>

P.S. I have calmed down now

[DavidWW]

It now looks like a demented, but very colourful hedgehog with Postits everywhere!

But hopefully a range of different Postit colours

.....much snipped................
Thank you David =D> .....snipped.......

My pleasure

Your reaction, and the reaction of others, only reinforces my high opinion of Rosemary Bigwood's book

David

[Pandabean]

You sure you are not a student? Thats what some of my course books looks like. You get to the point where nearly everypage has a postit and you can't remember whats useful about that page.

It now looks like a demented, but very colourful hedgehog with Postits everywhere!

In general about the book, is it best to read it cover to cover or to read only certain parts that you have interest in? Right now I have several books to read, one on the Isle of Skye which I picked up and believe it or not the first page I opened it at mentioned my mapping area on the island that I spent 5 weeks doing. It also mentions the name McInnes which is in my McDonald line and that the McInnes's are mainly found in these old settlements that were cleared in the 1850s.

I also picked up "Tracing your Scottish ancestors" by the SRO, Stationery office. Has anyone heard of this book?

[LesleyB]

Hi Andy

I also picked up "Tracing your Scottish ancestors" by the SRO, Stationery office. Has anyone heard of this book?

Yes, a very helpful book, especially if you are looking for info in NAS. There is a companion volume: "Tracing Scottish Local History" which is also useful, both by Cecil Sinclair.

Best wishes
Lesley

[AndrewP]

I also picked up "Tracing your Scottish ancestors" by the SRO, Stationery office. Has anyone heard of this book?

I have a copy of that book, possibly an update on your copy, as it is by the National Archive of Scotland (the newer name for the Scottish Record Office). It is a good genealogy reference book, guiding you through the record types held by the NAS.

All the best,

Andrew

[Pandabean]

The one I have was revised in 1997. I guess it was a good find then, found it in a second hand bookshop for about £4.

I have a copy of that book, possibly an update on your copy, as it is by the National Archive of Scotland (the newer name for the Scottish Record Office). It is a good genealogy reference book, guiding you through the record types held by the NAS.

[LesleyB]

Hi all

The one I have was revised in 1997. I guess it was a good find then, found it in a second hand bookshop for about £4.

Kinda ditto - revised 1997, but I found mine in a remainder bookshop... for £3.

Best wishes
Lesley

[DavidWW]

......snipped...........In general about the book, is it best to read it cover to cover or to read only certain parts that you have interest in? Right now I have several books to read, one on the Isle of Skye which I picked up and believe it or not the first page I opened it at mentioned my mapping area on the island that I spent 5 weeks doing. It also mentions the name McInnes which is in my McDonald line and that the McInnes's are mainly found in these old settlements that were cleared in the 1850s.

Depends on your starting level of knowledge. If already reasonable, then "dipping in" is OK;but if someone is a newbie then starting at the beginning and working thru is recommended

I also picked up "Tracing your Scottish ancestors" by the SRO, Stationery office. Has anyone heard of this book?

This title is more than a wee bit misleading. It should really be "Tracing your Scottish ancestors using NAS Records", or, even better, "Records of Use to Genealogical Researchers at NAS" ................ In other words, in no way is it the equivalent of the guides by Bigwood, Cory, and Irvine.

David

[emanday]

You sure you are not a student? Thats what some of my course books looks like. You get to the point where nearly everypage has a postit and you can't remember whats useful about that page.

It now looks like a demented, but very colourful hedgehog with Postits everywhere!

In general about the book, is it best to read it cover to cover or to read only certain parts that you have interest in? Right now I have several books to read, one on the Isle of Skye which I picked up and believe it or not the first page I opened it at mentioned my mapping area on the island that I spent 5 weeks doing. It also mentions the name McInnes which is in my McDonald line and that the McInnes's are mainly found in these old settlements that were cleared in the 1850s.

I also picked up "Tracing your Scottish ancestors" by the SRO, Stationery office. Has anyone heard of this book?

I'm not a student but all of my life I have been driven to learn something new, so I suppose you could say I am a life learner

Sad to admit, but I number each postit and write down a keyword/keywords in a list I make as I go along.

I agree with David about reading most reference books through first (even if I couldn't contain myself enough to do it with this one) as I think that, even if you might not realise it, some things imprint in your memory and are often easier to find later.

[DavidWW]

.....much snipped..........I agree with David about reading most reference books through first (even if I couldn't contain myself enough to do it with this one) as I think that, even if you might not realise it, some things imprint in your memory and are often easier to find later.

It goes beyond that in my experience, in that a "logical" approach to reading such a book will often lead to a better understanding of the whole area, as opposed to the possibly lesser understanding that results from dipping in to particular sections or chapters.

In other words, the author (most often, but, sadly, not always) has laid out the material in a logical sequence, so is very often making the assumption in, say, Chapter 9, that you have read Chapters 1 to 8 !!

OK, given a high level of pre-existing experience, someone may already have developed expertise that equates to having previously read to material equivalent to Chapters 1 to 8, but, most often, I've found that there can be distinct value in "going back to the classroom"

David