Doors Open Days logo© the Scottish Civic Trust 2008 Doors Open Days (DOD) ‘is Scotland’s largest free festival that celebrates places and stories, new and old.’ Its aim is to give everyone the opportunity to explore some of the most architecturally and culturally significant buildings in Scotland, places which are not usually open to the … Continue reading ‘A Virtual Visit’: National Records of Scotland Digital Doors Open Days 2023
The Archivists’ Garden – A Peaceful Spot
Both General Register House and New Register House are familiar sights to Edinburgh locals, even if those who pass remain unaware of the many treasures held within. Housing the archives and public services of the National Records of Scotland (NRS), these buildings give access to a rich store of records relating to all aspects of … Continue reading The Archivists’ Garden – A Peaceful Spot
What is the Declaration?
On 6 April 2023, NRS is celebrating the 703rd anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath – one of Scotland’s most famous historic documents. The Declaration of Arbroath will be displayed at the National Museum of Scotland from 3 June this year but before you get a chance to see it for yourself, we asked NRS … Continue reading What is the Declaration?
700 Years of the Declaration of Arbroath, with Dr Alan Borthwick
The Declaration of Arbroath will be displayed at the National Museum of Scotland from 3 June this year, but you can find out more about it now. In this talk, recorded on the Declaration’s 700th anniversary in 2020, archivist Dr Alan Borthwick spoke about the document’s long and surprising history, and more about its significance… … Continue reading 700 Years of the Declaration of Arbroath, with Dr Alan Borthwick
Scotland’s Census 1921: Fresh Air Fortnight
If you have children missing from their family home in the 1921 census, especially in Glasgow, it may be worth widening the search to include seaside locations. The charity Glasgow Poor Children’s Fresh Air Fortnight Scheme gave children two weeks away from their lives in overcrowded and deprived areas of Glasgow to let them enjoy … Continue reading Scotland’s Census 1921: Fresh Air Fortnight
Scotland’s Census 1921: Labourers on the move
The 1921 census asked for ‘Road, Street, &c. and No. or name of House.’ Sadly however, not everyone in 1921 lived in a conventional house - in fact, an entry from Sanquhar tells the story of a family of seven who did not have a roof over their heads. James White, his wife Elizabeth and … Continue reading Scotland’s Census 1921: Labourers on the move
Census 1921: Missing Military Men
The 1921 census in the UK was originally scheduled to be held on 24 April but it was delayed until 19 June due to civil unrest and strikes. The census was taken during a coal strike which ended on 28 June and reveals that many military personnel were deployed to mines around the country. The … Continue reading Census 1921: Missing Military Men
Census captures build-up to 1921 Golf Open at St Andrews
The 1921 Open Golf Championship was held at St Andrews on 23 – 25 June 1921. The 1921 census was held on 19 June 1921 and our records show many golfers and journalists were already in the town. These records give us a unique insight into the golfing world a hundred years ago. The census … Continue reading Census captures build-up to 1921 Golf Open at St Andrews
A chance survival
The 1921 census for Scotland is now available to search and view on ScotlandsPeople and in ScotlandsPeople Centres. Today, National Records of Scotland archivist Tessa examines a Scottish schedule preserved in the 1921 census for England and Wales which can be viewed online at Find My Past. Background to the 1921 census A census is … Continue reading A chance survival
St. Kilda’s last census
The 1921 census has now been added to ScotlandsPeople, the NRS ancestry research website. You can use the census to explore where a person was staying, whether they were at home or staying elsewhere, what their accommodation was like, who they were with, what their occupation was and much more. Today, we're looking at what … Continue reading St. Kilda’s last census
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