Scotland Government Records Index

Scottish government records offer comprehensive genealogical detail, especially from the 19th century onward. Centralized civil registration began in 1855, supported by earlier parish and kirk session records. The Edinburgh Gazette published legal notices, appointments, and insolvency cases. Tax records like the Hearth Tax and Window Tax provide insight into property ownership and wealth. Military muster rolls, school records, and public employee directories help map individuals’ roles in the community. Scotland’s distinct legal and administrative history—alongside valuation rolls and land records—makes these sources indispensable for understanding ancestral origins and movements within the country.