2023 Scottish Research Tour

Thank you for registering for our 2023 Scottish Research Tour, which is taking place Sunday, June 18 - Sunday, June 25, 2023! 

Program Includes

• Seven-night hotel stay in the heart of Edinburgh  

• Tour and orientation to collections at national repositories

• Lectures from our genealogists and local experts 

• Three, thirty-minute consultations with our experts

• Group meals (opening and closing dinner)

• Pre-program preparatory webinar and resources

Pre-Tour Informational Presentation: 

Presented by: Kathleen Mackenzie, Education and Programming Manager, and David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist.

Pre-Tour Open Q&A Session:

PDF of Questions Not Answered During Live Session

*Schedule subject to change. 

ScotlandsPeople Centre 

1. Please create a ScotlandsPeople Centre account prior to our trip. Visit https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ and click the green "Register" button in the upper right-hand corner.
2. Explore the records at ScotlandsPeople Centre: https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/search-our-records
3. Consider buying credits if you anticipate wanting to save searches or print documents at ScotlandsPeople Centre. They can be purchased on-site, but we've been advised that it's helpful to purchase them online if possible. To do so, log into your account at https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ and click on your name in the upper right corner. Then click "My Account" and scroll down the page to "Your Credits." Click the orange button to the right labeled "Buy Credits."

National Records of Scotland

1. Be prepared to bring your passport and two passport sized color photographs to obtain a reader's ticket, as well as second form of identification proving your address. Acceptable forms of identification for this purpose are a drivers' license, official communication such as a recent polling or voting card for federal or state elections, letter from bank or credit card company (this must be a paper letter, not a printed email), utilities bill (again, in the form of a letter) etc.
2. Read the Historical Search Room pages on the NRS website to familiarize yourself with what to prepare in advance and what to expect during your visit: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/visit-us/historical-search-room
3. Explore the NRS Online Catalog and Research Guides. Consider watching online tutorials for using the catalog and more on the NRS' YouTube Channel in the Archive's playlist.
4. Request any off-site records at least a few days in advance using the NRS catalog. For an example of an off-site record, see ED18/345, where there is red wording at the top saying "Click here to place an advance order" with a link to request the document. 
5. If you plan to access the maps and plans collection held by NRS, review the guidance on this collection: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/maps-and-plans. As you will see, access depends on whether the map or plan has already been imaged, though it some cases only the original can be viewed. It may be possible to inspect the original plan at the Plans Unit at Thomas Thomson House, on Tuesdays and Thursdays  (morning and afternoon), by appointment with the Historical Search Room.

National Library of Scotland 

1. Create a National Library of Scotland Account here: https://auth.nls.uk/join/. This will allow you pre-order books online, access their e-resources immediately, and obtain a library card when we visit.
2. Familiarize yourself with the library's collections here: https://www.nls.uk/catalogues/. You can find more information about using the library here: https://www.nls.uk/using-the-library/
3. The library has limited pull times during the week and no deliveries on Saturdays, so any material should ideally be ordered in advance of our visit on Friday and Saturday. You will find details on how to order material at https://www.nls.uk/using-the-library/reading-rooms/general/preorders-guide/. Any material the group has not finished with on the Friday can be held on reserve for consultation on the Saturday too.

Travel To-Dos

1. Check that your passport is up-to-date and bring it! 
2. Pack layers
3. Consider investigating options for allowing your cell phone to function abroad. Options vary based on your cell phone company- it's best to check their website or contact them directly.

Consultation Schedule

Rhonda's Lecture Handout: Scottish Research: Civil and Parish Records 

Expert Bios and Personal Consultation Log

Group Research Interests

Participant List

ScotlandsPeople Centre Seat Bookings

Guidelines for Users of the Historical Search Room

Tessa's Monday Morning Orientation Presentation Slides

Tessa's Monday Morning Orientation Script

American Ancestors Pre-Tour Orientation Slides

Please fill out this Participant Information and Research Interests Form by Monday, May 22. Your answers on this form will assist our genealogists in preparing for your consultations! 

If you have any questions about filling out this form, please contact Education and Programming Manager, Kathleen Mackenzie at kathleen.mackenzie@nehgs.org. While using this form is preferable, if you run into any technical issues filling it out you may also submit your answers via email to Kathleen.