ScotlandsPeople finds a home in the Highlands
The National Records of Scotland archive and genealogy website ‘ScotlandsPeople’ is now available to people in the Highlands with the launch of a new local family history centre in Inverness.
Members of the public can access ScotlandsPeople via four computer terminals in the Family History Centre at the Highland Archive and Registration Centre in the Bught area of Inverness. Three computers can be booked in advance and one is available for drop-in visitors.
People using ScotandsPeople network at the Inverness Centre will have ready access to a wealth of historic records from across Scotland such as:
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Census Returns from 1841 to 1911;
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Old Parish Registers up to 1854; and
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Births, Marriages and Deaths (from January 1855).
Bringing ScotlandsPeople network to the Highlands is a joint project between the National Records of Scotland, The Highland Council and High Life Highland.
Provost of Inverness, Councillor Alex Graham who is a keen amateur historian welcomed the launch of the new facility he said: “I am delighted that these National Records are now accessible to people in the Highlands. This is a great boon for those who either don’t have personal computers or don’t wish to make the journey to Edinburgh to consult the records. It will be an invaluable asset to amateur and academic historians in the Highlands and also an added boost for genealogy tourists.”
Ian Murray Chief Executive, High Life Highland said: “Ancestral tourism is growing year on year and we have a wealth of information available in the Highlands. We are very pleased to be involved in a partnership that will allow local access to residents and visitors alike and expect a high level of demand in the coming months.”
Tim Ellis, Registrar General and Keeper of the Records of Scotland, said: “I am delighted that the National Records of Scotland has been able to work together with registrars and archivists to make the ScotlandsPeople network available at the Highland Archive and Registration Centre in Inverness. It means that local people now have access to national records of millions of Scots stretching back over 450 years and can also further their research by accessing local archive material.”
Specialist Highland Archive staff will be on hand to help people using the ScotlandsPeople network facilities which are open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4.30pm. A good reference collection is also available in the Family History Centre and original archive material in the Archive Search Room. Members of the Highland Family History Society can also give advice.
The cost to access the ScotlandsPeople is £15 per day or part day and copies of historic images can be printed for a small fee. For further information or to make a booking please phone 01463 256400 or email: inverness.registrars@highland.gov.uk
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