OD: Tracing Scottish Ancestry, May 5, 2027 11:59PM

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Description

On Demand: Tracing Scottish Ancestry: Records, Resources, and Research Strategies

Presented by David Allen Lambert and Rhonda R. McClure

This course includes five ninety-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts.

Upon purchase, you will receive an email with a link to the course page. You will also be able to access this page under “My Account”> “Digital Content.”

 

Class Topics

Class 1: Origins and Journeys: Migrations to the U.S. and Canada, Rhonda R. McClure

Millions of Americans and Canadians claim Scottish roots — but identifying the exact parish, village, or county your ancestors called home can be the greatest challenge of all. In this foundational session, you’ll explore Scotland’s complex history and the major waves of emigration that carried Scots across the Atlantic. By understanding the economic, religious, and political “push and pull” factors behind migration, you’ll begin narrowing the search for your family’s place of origin and laying the groundwork for success in Scottish research.

 

Class 2: Civil and Parish Records in Scotland, Rhonda R. McClure

Births, marriages, and deaths form the backbone of Scottish genealogical research. This session dives deeply into civil registration and parish records, explaining what details each source can reveal — from parentage and occupations to residences and witnesses. You’ll learn when these records began, how they differ from one another, and most importantly, how to locate and access them efficiently. By the end of this class, you’ll be prepared to extract every clue these essential records provide.

 

Class 3: Using the Scottish Census & Census Substitutes, David Allen Lambert

Census records offer invaluable snapshots of your ancestors’ lives. In this session, you’ll examine Scotland’s census returns, what information they contain, and how they evolved over time. You’ll also discover important census substitutes — such as valuation rolls and tax lists — that help bridge gaps when official enumerations fall short. Learn where to access digitized images and reliable transcriptions, and how to use these records to reconstruct households and trace families across decades.

 

Class 4: Other Scottish Records, Rhonda R. McClure

Once you’ve mastered the core records, it’s time to broaden your search. This class highlights the rich — and often underused — sources that add depth and dimension to your Scottish ancestors’ stories. Explore wills and testaments, land and property records, court documents, military files, and occupational sources. These records can illuminate social status, family relationships, property ownership, and personal circumstances — transforming names and dates into lived experiences.

 

Class 5: Strategies and Case Studies, David Allen Lambert

Bring it all together in this capstone session focused on strategy and real-world application. Through case studies, you’ll see how to synthesize records, resolve conflicting evidence, and overcome common research obstacles. Leave with a clear research plan—and renewed confidence in your ability to trace your Scottish story.