Web-site: Scotland’s People

One of the largest online sources of original genealogical information Scotland’s People is the official Scottish genealogy resource.

Users are required to create an account and purchase credits (currently 30 credits for £7) to enable them to search the database of genealogical records such as Statutory Birth, Marriage and Death Registers, Old Parish Records, Census Records, Wills & Testaments and Valuation Rolls.

Statutory Registers – Births, Marriages and Deaths

Statutory records are available from 1855 and are searched by a combination of Surname, Forename, Sex, Year Range, County (e.g. Ayr) and District (e.g. New Cumnock).

So for example you could search for all people with the surname ‘Smith’ born in New Cumnock between the dates 1860 to 1870. This search will cost 1 credit and gives a list of people that meet that criteria.  From the list you then select the person that looks the most likely to be the person of interest – this will cost 5 credits.

Birth Certificate

• Name and Surname,
• Where and When Born
• Sex
• Name, Rank or Profession of Father
• Name and Maiden Surname of Mother
• Date and Place of Marriage
• Signature and Qualification of Informant, and Residence, if out of the House in which the Birth occurred
• When and Where Registered and Signature of Registrar

Marriage Certificate

• When, where and how married
• Signatures of the parties
• Rank and profession, Age, Residence
• Name, Rank or Profession of Father
• Name and Maiden Surname of Mother
• Signature of Minister and Witnesses
• When and Where Registered and Signature of Registrar

Death Certificate

• Name and Surname
• Rank or Profession and whether Single, Married or Widowed
• When or where died
• Sex, Age
• Name, Rank or Profession of Father
• Name and Maiden Surname of Mother
• Cause of death, Duration of disease and Medical attendant by whom certified
• Signature and Qualification of informant
• When and Where Registered and Signature of Registrar

Old Parish Records

Old Parish Records for the parish of New Cumnock are available for BAPTISMS only from 1706 until the introduction of the Statutory Registers .

Search the records by Surname, Forename, Sex, Parent Name and Date range.

So for example you could search for all people with the surname ‘Smith’ baptised in New Cumnock between the dates 1706  to 1720. This search will cost 1 credit and will give a list of people that meet that criteria.  From the list you then select the person that looks the most likely to be the person of interest – this will cost 5 credits.

In this case you will get a digital copy of the full page of the baptism register that contains the person of interest. The entrants are given in chronological order (left hand column) while the surnames of the father and mother appear in the right hand column, while the name of the new born and place of birth in the text in between.

So for example

AD 1740

• June 16′ William and Robert, twins to John McKnight and Jean Ranken in Old Miln’ McKnight & Ranken

Always take time to study the page carefully as you may find other parties of interest on the page of the Baptism Register. On occasion the date of birth (which is typically different from the date of baptism may be recorded).

Catholic Registers

Catholic Registers for ‘Births & Baptisms’, ‘Banns & Marriages’, ‘Deaths & Burials’ and ‘Other Events’ are available and can be searched by Mission and Parish e.g. Ayrshire.

Census Records

Census Records are available for 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911

Search the records by Surname, Forename, Second Person name, Age range, Census Year, County (e.g. Ayrshire) and District (e.g. New Cumnock)

So for example you could search for all people with the surname ‘Smith’ in New Cumnock that appear in the Census Records of 1891. This search will cost 1 credit and will give a list of people that meet that criteria.  From the list you then select the person that looks the most likely to be the person of interest – this will cost 5 credits.

The style of census records changes through the decades but typically include

• Civil Parish and Ward
• Name and Number of Street
• Name , Surname , Relation to the Head of Household,
• Age, Sex , Occupation and birthplace of each person

You will receive a page from the Census Records that contains the person of interest and those of neighbours that fit on the page. So always take time to study the record in case the neighbour is of interest to you, it is not uncommon that relatives often lived next door – or future spouses !

Valuation Rolls

Valuation Rolls are available for 1895, 1905, 1915 and 1920.

Search the records of the given year by Surname, Forename of 1. Tenants & Occupiers 2. Owners only or 3. All people and by County (Ayr), Parish (New Cumnock) and Place (e.g. farm name, street name). This search will cost you 1 credit and will give a list or records that meet your criteria. From the list select the record of interest – this will cost 5 credits.

The record will include

• Description and Status of Subject – e.g. farm, house, woodland, shootings, minerals etc
• Proprietor (Owner)
• Tenant
• Occupier
• Inhabitant
• Annual Value of Dwelling
• Yearly rent or value

Wills and Testaments

Wills and Testaments are available from 1513 to 1925.

Search the records by Surname and Forename, by Date range  and by Place (e.g. New Cumnock)

This search is free and will give a list of Wills and Testaments that meet your search criteria. Select the one of interest – this will cost 10 credits.