Paul Milner’s 2014 Course

Paul Milner’s 2014 Course

Scottish Research:  The Fundamentals and Beyond

Level: Beginner to Advanced

Time Period: 1550 – present

Prerequisites:  Prior to attending this course, read a book on the history of Scotland.  Submit a pedigree chart and family group sheet showing a family you want to learn more about.  The instructor will contact you before classes begin to request them.

Course Description:

Scottish laws, regulations and records are different from the rest of the British Isles, yet with enough similarities to create confusion for the unwary. We will address the fundamentals of all the major record groups, examining how to search the indexes, exploring what is and is not available online. Case studies will highlight the research and record evaluation processes to determine next steps. Individual consultations are available to assist each participant with their personal research.

Course Topics:

Definitions, Sources and Repositories

Scottish Emigration to North America

Finding the Right Place: Maps and Gazetteers

Civil Registration

Making Sense of the Census

Church Records

Inheritance: Wills and Executries

Inheritance: Transfer of Land

Burghs and Their Records

Occupation Records

British Military (2 sessions)

Overlooked Sources: 17th and 18th Centuries

Overlooked Sources: 19th and 20th Centuries

Planning Your Trip to Scotland