Scottish Genealogy Society

Eileen · Post by **Eileen** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:30 pm

Hello
I'm new to here and I am hoping someone can help me.
A friend has offered to take me to Edinburgh to the SGS, just wondering what kind if information I should be looking for. I am new to this so any clues would be helpful. Have looked at website but not any the wiser.
Eileen

Post by **Pandabean** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:33 pm

Welcome to the TalkingScot.

Unfortunately I do not know much about the SGS but hopefully someone will be able to give an answer soon.

Post by **Jean Jeanie** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:01 pm

Hi Eileen

A warm welcome from me too to [talkingscot]

Can you let us know if you have made a start on your family history yet and if so what information do you have to hand.

The more information you have before your visit the better.

For example dates of birth, marriage and death for parents, grandparents etc. These dates will help you find your relatives in the census records held at the Society.

Has the friend you mentioned been involved in her/his family history. If so she/he will be a big help to you.

Take a notebook and pencil with you (pens are not allowed)

You will be able to photo copy any documents you find there for a very small charge.

We can probably help you more if you can give us an idea of what you actually want to find out.

Please come back to us with any questions you have.

Best wises
Jean

Eileen · Post by **Eileen** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:19 pm

Hi Jean
Thank you for replying. I have quite a lot of information
Paterson from Clackmannan back to gggrandparents born 1834
Dempsters gggrandparents marriage 1850 but stuck there
Ritchie gggrandparents 1810 fife
If I can get any info on them will be pleased
I was lucky parents had a lot of original certificates
I have also started my son-in-laws side which is Filshie and that really has got me hooked.
Any suggestions are very welcome
My friend should be able to help she got me interested in first place.
Eileen

Post by **Jean Jeanie** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:30 pm

Hi Eileen

You've got off to a great start.

Have you found any of your lines in the censuses (1841-1901)?

Personally, I have found these to be a great source of information. One of the great things is finding other relatives living there. They may be shown as "aunt, brother, cousin etc" or they may be down as a boarder or a lodger. It's then great fun trying to fit them in to the family

Of course a boarder or a lodger may be just that

Other great sources of information are the many MI booklets (monumental inscriptions) published by the various societies. If you know which graveyard your relies are buried in then you may get information from the headstone about other members of the family.

There are many different ways about finding out about your family history.

Please keep asking the questions and we'll do our very best to help you out.

Enjoy your visit to the SGS.

Best wishes
Jean

Post by **Pandabean** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:35 pm

Eileen,

I would be interested to hear about what you find on the Paterson's of Clackmannanshire. I have a link back to them but I will have to delve back into my tree for more information.

Eileen · Post by **Eileen** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:46 pm

Hi Jean
I have got some census returns, but will look for more, I might find the elusive ones if i'm lucky. I will let you know how I get on. Thanks again
Eileen

Eileen · Post by **Eileen** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:09 pm

Hi Pandabean
I haven't much on the Paterson's, This is what I know -
David Paterson b abt 1808 m 1/3/1828 Clackmannan to Janet Paterson b ?
S George Paterson b 18/7/1834 Clackmannan m 12/8/1856 Fife to Agnes b 1833 Fife

Parents of Agnes, James Paterson b abt 1804 Alloa m 16/2/1828 Alloa to Christina Strang b abt 1808 Glasgow?

George I am sure about as I have original death certificate for him.
I also have death certificate for Agnes so parents okay.
But i'm afraid that's all I have at moment, perhaps after my visit to SGS I will have more.
Thanks for your interest. I will let you know how I get on.

Eileen

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:21 pm

Hi Eileen
The two areas I find the SGS great for are MIs (they have the largest collection in Scotland, published and unpublished) and also the OPRs on microfilm for the whole of Scotland. Sometimes looking through a parish register on film for several births can really help get a feel of the area, much more than downloading just one page from SP can.

They have loads of other stuff - best to ask one of the helpers there if there is anything in particular you are looking for as their library is quite extensive in numbers of books and publications, though not in size, and many potentially good sources can be hard to find or you may not be aware that they are even there!

If you have a look at the shop part of their web site you will be able to see many publications for sale : these are of course also available to see when you are there, so you may be able to make at least a short list of things to look up but you'll see great many more items when there.

Hope you have a great time!
Best wishes
Lesley
p.s. ah...just realised we know one another!

It was the Paterson that did it!! And no doubt one I saw the Filshies

Eileen · Post by **Eileen** » Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:42 pm

Hi Lesley
You got it in one.
My friend was going to take me to NRO until I told her what you had said about SGS. So we are going there and to the NAC. Unfortunately I couldn't remember everything you said, so thought I would try here. What a helpful bunch can't believe how many replies I've had already.
Let you know how I get on, see you Wednesday. Thanks again.
Eileen