Tracing Scottish Ancestry: Records, Resources, and Research Strategies
From the Highlands to the Lowlands—and across the Atlantic—Scots have shaped the story of North America for centuries. Today, an estimated 25 million Americans claim Scottish roots. In this five-session online seminar, you’ll gain essential historical context, learn how to navigate key Scottish sources, and build a clear research plan designed to carry your lineage back several generations. Discover the rich records, powerful resources, and proven research strategies that will help you uncover your family’s story in Scotland. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to break through a brick wall, this course will equip you with the tools and confidence to trace your Scottish heritage with clarity and purpose.
This course includes five ninety-minute classes and exclusive access to handouts and recordings of each presentation. These recordings and course materials will be available for the foreseeable future.
Schedule
May 5 – Class 1: Origins and Journeys: Migrations to the U.S. and Canada, Rhonda R. McClure
Millions of Americans and Canadians claim Scottish roots — but identifying the exact parish, village, or county your ancestors called home can be the greatest challenge of all. In this foundational session, you’ll explore Scotland’s complex history and the major waves of emigration that carried Scots across the Atlantic. By understanding the economic, religious, and political “push and pull” factors behind migration, you’ll begin narrowing the search for your family’s place of origin and laying the groundwork for success in Scottish research.
May 12 – Class 2: Civil and Parish Records in Scotland, Rhonda R. McClure
Births, marriages, and deaths form the backbone of Scottish genealogical research. This session dives deeply into civil registration and parish records, explaining what details each source can reveal — from parentage and occupations to residences and witnesses. You’ll learn when these records began, how they differ from one another, and most importantly, how to locate and access them efficiently. By the end of this class, you’ll be prepared to extract every clue these essential records provide.
May 19 – Class 3: Using the Scottish Census & Census Substitutes, David Allen Lambert
Census records offer invaluable snapshots of your ancestors’ lives. In this session, you’ll examine Scotland’s census returns, what information they contain, and how they evolved over time. You’ll also discover important census substitutes — such as valuation rolls and tax lists — that help bridge gaps when official enumerations fall short. Learn where to access digitized images and reliable transcriptions, and how to use these records to reconstruct households and trace families across decades.
May 26 – Class 4: Other Scottish Records, Rhonda R. McClure
Once you’ve mastered the core records, it’s time to broaden your search. This class highlights the rich — and often underused — sources that add depth and dimension to your Scottish ancestors’ stories. Explore wills and testaments, land and property records, court documents, military files, and occupational sources. These records can illuminate social status, family relationships, property ownership, and personal circumstances — transforming names and dates into lived experiences.
June 2 – Class 5: Strategies and Case Studies, David Allen Lambert
Bring it all together in this capstone session focused on strategy and real-world application. Through case studies, you’ll see how to synthesize records, resolve conflicting evidence, and overcome common research obstacles. Leave with a clear research plan—and renewed confidence in your ability to trace your Scottish story.
