November 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia in 1917. The revolution shocked the great powers of the day and inspired supporters around the world, including in Scotland. Their stories, like those of millions of people from Scotland’s past, can be found within the NRS archives. John Maclean (1879-1923) was a … Continue reading Voices From Our Archives – John Maclean (1879-1923)
Digital Preservation for Local Authorities
For many archivists embarking on a Digital Preservation programme, the biggest challenge is knowing where to start. NRS has been helping local authority archivists to overcome this initial hurdle with two new tools to help archivists get started with digital preservation. Last summer, two Heritage Lottery-funded Skills for the Future trainees, seconded on year-long placements, … Continue reading Digital Preservation for Local Authorities
Scotland’s population is projected to increase and age
The latest population projections show Scotland’s population is projected to continue to increase and to age over the next 25 years. The National Population Projections for Scotland are based on the latest population estimates for 2016 and provide an indication of the future size and age structure of Scotland’s population based on a set of … Continue reading Scotland’s population is projected to increase and age
Conservation for the Nation
"The fundamental role of the conservator-restorer is the preservation of cultural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations..."* I remember very vividly John L. Sharpe, a rare book historian and conservator, teaching a class at my conservation course in Italy and describing conservation as a triangle with History, Science and Craft at each … Continue reading Conservation for the Nation
Rogues Gallery: Faces of Crime 1870-1917
25 October - 1 December 2017 General Register House, Matheson Dome Free Thieves, confidence tricksters, pickpockets and more… Our new exhibition of photographs and criminal records from the Victorian and Edwardian eras will bring you face-to-face with Scotland’s criminal past. National Records of Scotland will display previously unseen mug shot albums alongside official trial records … Continue reading Rogues Gallery: Faces of Crime 1870-1917
The end of summer weeding
At the beginning of September, we said a fond farewell to our five summer legal students, who are employed each year to assist us with processing the vast amount of Sheriff Court civil records that we take in each year. Archivists aim to visit 5-6 courts every year and bring back records that are over … Continue reading The end of summer weeding
Doors Open Day – General Register House and New Register House
Once again, that time of year is approaching when the National Records of Scotland throws open its doors and invites the public into the splendour of the General Register and New Register House, and offers a tantalising glimpse behind the scenes. General Register House Before records were officially stored in the archive, there was no … Continue reading Doors Open Day – General Register House and New Register House
Scottish Handwriting 1500-1700
Calling all budding palaeographers! Students wanted for evening short course at National Records of Scotland Archival records are amazing. They document the lives of our ancestors, allow us to peer into past societies and record the events - big and small - that shaped our country into what it is today. Reading old records, particularly … Continue reading Scottish Handwriting 1500-1700
A fascinating investigation
Handling records in poor condition causes further damage. In such cases extensive conservation treatment is necessary to make records suitable to be produced and therefore available to scholars and researchers. I recently worked on an interesting court book dating between 1686 and 1714, a limp vellum binding containing a whole block of papers in seriously … Continue reading A fascinating investigation
Wrapping Up Scotland’s Archives
In 2013, the Scottish Council on Archives launched a three-year traineeship scheme funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Skills for the Future programme. The Opening Up Scotland’s Archives scheme was created to provide opportunities for individuals to gain experience working in archives, in addition to the more traditional degree and post-graduate qualification route. At the … Continue reading Wrapping Up Scotland’s Archives
Open Book 