NEW COURSE

Starting Your Scottish Ancestry Journey: Foundations for Family History 

“Starting Your Scottish Ancestry Journey” is designed for beginners who want to uncover their family history in Scotland. You’ll learn how to navigate key Scottish records, understand the rich historical context behind them, and discover practical techniques to trace your ancestors with confidence.

This is a Tutor Assessed course. The assignments accompanying each lecture will enable students to put theory and methodology into practice. 

It is self paced and flexible - study at your own pace.

Students may opt out of the assessments if they wish.

To Enrol

What You Will Learn

• Where to find the most useful Scottish records
• How to use ScotlandsPeople
• Practical tips for navigating major archives and online resources
• How to record your results

Statutory Registration
Scotland’s system of statutory (civil) registration began in 1855 and provides some of the most detailed records in the UK. You will learn how to use:
• Birth records
• Marriage records
• Death records

We explain what information each type contains, how it has changed over time, and how to locate entries using official resources.

Census Records
Census returns offer a snapshot of families at ten‑year intervals. This course covers:
• Census years available for Scotland
• Key details recorded about individuals
• How to track family members across multiple decades
• How to interpret occupations, addresses, and household structures
• How to How to link Statutory Registration and Census Returns

Valuation Rolls
Valuation rolls list property occupants and owners from the mid‑19th century onwards. They are invaluable for filling gaps between census years. You will learn:
• What valuation rolls record
• How they differ from other sources
• Ways to use them to trace movement, property history, and changing family circumstances

Old Parish Registers (OPRs)
Before statutory registration, Church of Scotland parish records are the main source for births, baptisms, banns, and marriages. This section explores:
• What survives and where to find it 
• Gaps and inconsistencies in the registers

By the end of the course, you will have the confidence to begin researching your own Scottish ancestors using the core records essential to family history.

Enrolment and Course Fee

The course fee is £450

Students may enrol at any time, there is no fixed timetable.

To Enrol

Timescale

There is no set timetable for your progress through the course, meaning you may complete the assignments at your own pace. However, it is advised that students aim to complete the course between six and twelve months.

The standard enrolment period is five years (see our Terms and Conditions). We are willing to consider requests to extend supervision beyond this point. Requests must be made before the end of the five-year period. If an extension is granted, an additional fee may apply, calculated proportionally based on the length of the extension requested.

Modules and Assessment of Assignments

Each module is accompanied by one assignment designed to give you practical experience of using the records. 

Each student will be allocated a personal Tutor, who will review their course assignments and discuss student queries. Completed assignments and Tutor feedback is through our course online platform.

Terms and Conditions

By enroling on the course you agree to our Terms and Conditions

Read Our Terms & Conditions