National Records of Scotland

Preserving the past, Recording the present, Informing the future

Researching People

Researching People

Thousands of researchers use the National Records of Scotland (NRS) each year to carry out research into individual people. Whether you are writing your family history, curious about the lives of famous Scots, or carrying out academic research into groups of people from a certain place or with similar characteristics, the following research guides should help.

Guides on key records on life events and residency

Birth, Death and Marriage Records

Census Records

National Registration (1915 and 1939)

Guides to records on property ownership and inheritance

Inheriting Land and Buildings

Taxation Records

Valuation Rolls

Wills and Testaments

Guide to records on time spent in care

Time in Care Records

Famous Scots

For information about famous Scots, famous residents of Scotland and famous people with Scottish connections, who feature in our records, visit the Hall of Fame.