I thought I'd post a note specifically on Scottish Old Parish Registers (OPR) records.
As per the 1st post on this thread, the parish records are variable as there was no prescribed format given to the clerics or writers. The records were kept on a voluntary basis. I'm sure many users of Rootschat have their own experience of records they have used through libraries, family history societies or the LDS.
I can recount some of my experiences here to illustrate some expectations.
NOTE: These are all pre-1855 when statutory registration was brought into law.BaptismsThe fullest baptismal records I have experienced will include...
Father's name
Mother's maiden name
Occupation of father
Residence
Witnesses
Examples would be...
3rd June 1792- Mary Atchison lawful daughter of Andrew Achison mariner and Margaret Hill in Newbie3rd Febry 1847 - Tabitha lawful daughter of James Carruthers mariner and Isabella Taylor born 3rd February baptised 21st March 1847These records will be listed in ink script in large books in various states of disrepair.
Additional notes here on OPR birth and baptism entries
www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/Content/Help/index.aspx?r=554&405, including a link to an image example from a register.
To give you an idea of the variation in styles, the above entries are transcribed as found the date will be in a margin then one sentence as above.
Another "gem" worth considering if your family moved to another parish, baptisms may have been noted in their original parish if they were well known or respected.
An example from my family, from the Annan parish records...
Francis Carruthers lawful son of Francis Carruthers master of the Miss Douglas sailing vessel of Carlisle and Elizabeth Harrison in Bowness was born 3rd and baptised 18th August 1819 by Revd William H Moncreiff minsr of Annan.[Francis Carruthers lived and worked in Bowness, Cumberland later retiring to Liscard, Cheshire - yet the minister from Annan baptised his children]
Bearing in mind that these are the fuller entries, so you may be further disappointed if you happen to be caught in the parish of a less than rigorous recorder...
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,159564.0.html This link illustrates that when a date range is given as "coverage" of the extant records it does not mean they are complete within that range.
I would definitely recommend tracking down the films from libraries or LDS Family History Centres and viewing the records for yourself.
Before you order anything check what information you are likely to get - ask us. Post to a specific county board and there will be an expert somewhere!
MarriagesVery similar to English entires in the Scottish records. But again, no prescribed format.
The fuller records will contain in descending order of likelihood...
Bride's name
Groom's name
Residence
Occupation
Father of the bride &/or groom
Most commonly it is the bare minimum (in my experience).
Again, some examples here...
10th June 1806 - George Ferguson mariner and Jean Caruthers daughter of Frances Caruthers in lawfully married.And at the other end of the scale...
10th Sept 1816 - William Matthews and Mary FarishAdditional notes here on OPR bann and marriage entries
www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/Content/Help/index.aspx?r=554&406, including a link to an image example from a register.
BurialsDeath or burial records are rare in Scotland. That's not to say non-existant. You will occasionally find a list of MORTCLOTH DUES these were dues payable for the use of the public pall (death cloth) at a funeral.
In Kirknewton parish for example there is a financial records of mortcloth and coffin payments. This list includes who made the payment and what for - this is often a clue to when a spouse or relative died. It is worth trying to see the Kirk Sessions records as these payments can be listed there rather than in the baptismal or marriage books.
Additional notes here on OPR deaths and burials
www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/Content/Help/index.aspx?r=554&1353
As you will be aware, statutory registration became law in Scotland 1 January 1855 under the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1854. Under this act, all parishes were required to deposit their records with the General Register of Scotland, c.3500 books were deposited.
You will find that just prior to 1855, for a few years before the baptismal records become a lot fuller (by volume - not information), people believed that statutory registration would mean cost. You are more likely to find groups of children listed from the same family at about this time as families either came in for a 'job lot' baptism or to ensure the names were "in the book".
The birth, marriage and burial records are not the only records available. Kirk Sessions (which are mostly kept at the NAS) often contain the naughties! Illegitimacies, fornication, irregular marriages etc - a fascinating read and the topic of another post!
Are OPR available in my county? See below.