Hello to you all, be gentle please!! new user.

[hssc11045]

Hi
I received a couple of letters in the last week from firms re a relative I did not even know I had who recently passed. The relative was a uncle on my mothers side named Robert Dickson (died April 2009). My mother was Edith Dickson and she was born in Edinburgh in 1926 (died 1982).
As a complete novice at this I went on the internet and came across this site and hope that I could be given good advice as to the best way to investigate this and other family history. I am aware there are many sites you can use but would appreciate advice from people who have used the sites and advise on the sites that are best to use for Scottish based investigations.
My mother Edith (11th July 1926-1982)had as far as I know sisters, Agnes and Margaret but not sure of any DOB etc for any of them. Robert is a name I was not even aware of .
Hopefully some kind person can direct me to the best way to start this fascinating journey. I am based in Edinburgh so hopefully records based here should be not to hard to trace.
Many thanks
Hugh

[kooky]

I would begin by acquiring death certificates for your uncle and mother.
Edinburgh has the best resources for Scottish investigations, you are in the best place!
Kooky

[hssc11045]

Thanks Kooky, can you advise me how to do that, are they available online or do I have to go to Registers House? Are you aware of costs involved etc, do I need to take ID etc etc?
Thanks

[aniph]

Scotlands People is the thing, records only to 2006 though.

You buy credits which are very reasonable then you can search for uncles and aunts births and marriages.

http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/

Good luck
Annie

[purplekat]

There's also good advice on the rootschat Scottish forum, here's a quick link


http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,24468.0.html

[kooky]

I agree with Annie. If you go to Scotlands people it will cost you £6 and you will be able to see a copy of the entry for your mother's death.
I have just checked and I think it is there, but I have no credits left to look.
If you go to New Register House, they will be able to help you further.
Kooky

[hssc11045]

Thanks for all this interesting info, will go off and see what I can find out. Is there a downloadable chart I can use to start creating a family tree??

[MonicaL]

Hi Hugh

You are really well placed for starting on your research on the family 

I think for the period you are starting from, the best thing would be for you to go into New Register House (Scotlands People Centre I think it is now called). You have to book a seat for the day, not sure what currently costs are for the day's booking, last time I looked it was around £12-14 for the day.

When you are starting out in the 20 Century, you will be restricted by what you can view on line on Scotlands People - births cut off 100 yrs, marriages I think only up to mid 1930s and deaths are a 50 yrs cut off.

If you visit the genealogy centre in Edinburgh, you can view images on line up to pretty much to present day. Write everything down (maybe take some ready made forms to fill in). You can this way get through many images in one day. Once you get further back, you can do a lot of your research on line from the comfort of home 

Monica 

[Canterburynorth]

Hi Hugh,

There are many downloadable programs you can use to chart your family history.

Just google 'free download family history program' there are several options, everyone will have a different opinion on what is best for their needs.

I use Legacy, but there are alot of good ones.

Good luck with your family.

Leandra

P.S You did well to join rootschat, the best forum on the net