How do I go further back than the 1881 Census?

[Sparky53]

I have found all my relatives on Scottish People website but now need to access earlier censuses.

I haven't been able to find any Scottish ones to buy or use on the internet, does anyone have any ideas?

Cheers

Jane

[Little Nell]

Hi Jane,

If you are only talking about censuses then take a look at this site:
http://freecen.rootsweb.com/
Not all areas have been transcribed yet but it is an ongoing project.  ScotlandsPeople are making earlier censuses available soon (allegedly) but I have yet to work out how we can "browse" without paying out a fortune.

Some Scottish FHS have microfiche or books avaialable and there may be some CDs (maybe parts of Lanarkshire, I seem to recall reading) as well.  I suggest you visit this page:
http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/sct/Census.html
for further information and links.  You could try each county page for Scotland as well.

And you could also have a look on each of the county boards for Scotland on RootsChat for useful links.

Good luck

Nell

[Sparky53]

I have been trawling the internet for leads for a little while now and haven't found quite what I want.

There is a Free Cen for Kincardine but not the right bit.

The family moved around a bit in the east of Scotland so I may have to wait for Scotish People to get 1871 on line to help sort it out. Awaiting the birth extract for great great great grandfather to ensure I'm on the right track. They seem very slow with sending this they take your money immediately £10 while it is £7 in England. The ones I order from Staffs arrive almost by return of post.

Cheers

Jane

[Little Nell]

Hi Jane,

You've really confused me now.  From my experience, using ScotlandsPeople costs £6 per 30 credits.  Once you have searched and refined that search as much as possible, you pay 1 credit per page to view the list of results. If you find an entry in the list, you can view the image for 5 credits.  If this is post-1855, then I have found that viewing the image gives you as much information as a proper certificate.  Isn't this cheaper?  And its instant because you can save the image and print it yourself.  As a result,I haven't bothered with a single certificate.  Has something changed? Help!

Nell

[Sparky53]

Nell it is a 1791 birth extract I want - there isn't an option to view this one on line.

Jane

[Little Nell]

I see the problem - thanks for clarifying.

I have the BVRI2 here which has some Scottish parish records included on it.  I'd gladly look it up for you - but no guarantee its there.

Nell

[Boongie Pam]

There was talk that images will become available for the OPR but finding out true timescales fro Scotlands people is difficult.

The LDS have all the census on films so you may be able to order films through your local LDS centre.  Or contact the local Family History Society they may have indexed the area you are interested in.

Look ups for Scotland are hard to answer here as there aren't a great deal of resources publicly available but it is worth posting your request on the county board (if you haven't already done so?)

Cheers,
Pam
 

[Sparky53]

I am trying to find out about the movements of the Spark family

Archibald Spark was born in Montrose 19 October 1811. His first 6 children were born in Montrose 1839- 1849

Then his next 3 in Aberdeen 1851-1855 so it would be great to access 1851 census to find out when and poss why he moved.

It is his father William Spark - 14 July 1791 who's birth extract I am after  to find his occupation and address possibly.

Jane

[capricorn]

Hi Jane,  A birth extract pre 1855 won't give you an address, the most you will get is, Baptisms: name of the child, date of baptism, parents' names, place or parish of residence, occupation of the father. 

Liz