Genealogy Chat

Hi everyone, we have a holiday in Edinburgh, visiting the folks. I though I would take advantage and spend a day at the records office, i was windering what to expect? Is the data available just the same as what i would be able to find by searching the online database at scotlandspeople.gov.uk or is there a lot more? Can i see certificates that i wouldnt be able to on the website without having to order them? Is the information easy to search through- dont want to book a whole day there and spend most of it trying to figure out how to do a simple search! Sorry for all the questions... just dont want to waste a days holiday looking at data i could search through from my armchair at home

Hi Alanna, I cant tell you what the record office is like, but I can give you a few tips on what not to do crossing the border. I f you are English,try not to speak with an English accent. Do not have an English flag on your car. My friend (a Scottish woman) lives in Lancashire. Last week-end she and her partner drove to Edinburgh to visit her parents.She had an English flag on her car.The moment they entered the outskirts of Edingburgh they were spat at and had abuse screamed at them. Her mother advised her to remove flag,which she did. The following day she and her parents drove fifty miles north to a place with a famous fish market. They bought fish, had lunch and a generally good day out. Returning to the car they were verbally abused by a man, calling them effing tourists, eff off, you`re not wanted here. They were all horrified by this behavior. Her mother especially. I dont know why this happened,is it sour grapes, or nationalism gone mad. Perhaps any Scots reading this can enlighten us. Regards, Sylvia.

Hi Alanna can't tell you what to expect but you are lucky devil!!!! wish I could go!!! Sorry I just had to udate my message after reading the first post. I have lived in Scotland all my life and would never have thought English people would be treated this way when visiting Edinburgh. I think that awful we are all from the same country the United Kingdom. Very very bad behaviour!! Sorry I just had to add that!! Betty

Hi Alana You will be able to search all BMD from 1855 to present date most of which you will be able to see on screen same as on Scotlands People,. You can download certificates which cost 50p. The old parish records can be viewed (with difficulty), census returns etc. Probably best to book if you can, cost £17 for the day 0900 - 1630 or £10 from I think 1300 - 16.30. There is a small area with coffee machines for when you want a break! I find it difficult to drag myself away from the computors! The staff are quite helpful and will show you how to use their data base. Enjoy your trip up North. Just like to apologise to Sylvia's friend for the behaviour of a few ignorant people - we are not all like that Jean

Hi Alanna....... Just too add onto what Jean Long has already gave you (Jean I hope you don't mind!!) You can also search dates after where the scotlandspeople site ends: Births 1905+/ Deaths 1950+ / Marriages 1930+ upto 2004 (some 2005/6) and also Divorces....you can view these certificates but not get a photocopy. It is advisable too note down a rough date as you search by year not place name in all records after 1855. Good Luck In Your Searches & Enjoy your Holiday in Edinburgh :-)))))))))) ~~~~waves too Betty Boo~~~~~~~ Oh Sylvia........ So sorry too hear your friends were given such abuse!! That is Sad!!! Scottish people on the whole are a friendly bunch......and Edinburgh has such a high number of tourists from all over the world (especially at this time off year..with the festival on the way!!) Please don't think we are all like that (because of a few small minded people). Sui x

Hiya guys, Thanks for the advice- sounds like i need a whole day and not just the afternoon then. I am Scottish but live in buckinghamshire at the moment so we dont have an England flag on the car i would remove it before crossing the border if we did otherwise my dad would never let me live it down. Its sad how the minority give us Scots a bad name we are not all anti English (my husband is English and our son was born in England) What is it about football that can bring out the worst in people.

Please take all of that with a very large pinch of salt! Not all Scots are narrow minded, and I myself have never seen such carry on, and I come from Scotland. Most of us are very proud of our country and I am sure you will have a lovely visit to Edinburgh. It is a fantastic city with lots to offer, and it will be full of tourists at the moment, especially Americans. Once this world cup nonsense dies down this will all be forgotten about. You don't just find idiots north of the border you know!! Have a fantastic time in your search, I am sure you will find out much more than you do on the Scotlands People website.