Opening Hours
Monday 9.00am-7.30pm The Scottish Tuesday 9.00am-7.30pm Wednesday 9.00am-5.00pm & Local History Thursday 10.00am-7.30pm Friday 9.00am-7.30pm Saturday 9.00am-5.00pm Library
Genealogical Sources
Carnegie Library, 12 Main St, Ayr, KA8 8EB Tel: (01292) 272231 email: localhistory@south-ayrshire.gov.uk Web: www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/libraries
Left to right: J McKinnon, W Hastie, E Spence, Danny Wylie & Co Ayr Chemical Works, Newton on Ayr The Library Indexes Whether you are thinking of looking at the Census, Old Parish The Scottish and Local History Library is located on the first floor of Records or any other source it is worth asking if there is an index. the Carnegie Library in Ayr. The department houses a unique More and more records are being indexed and they certainly help collection of books, pamphlets, directories, maps, plans, local save time. newspapers and photographs. Disabled access is at the rear of building and there is a lift to the first floor. Monumental Inscriptions Transcripts of headstones can be a good starting point for finding out Members of the public who wish to conduct their own research are where family members are buried as well as dates etc. Over the years welcome to visit the library and use the resources. The most a large number of graveyards have been indexed by many of the local frequently used items are available on open access, for readers to Family History Societies. They also have a plan of the graveyard browse through and select for themselves, but some of the stock is making it easier to pinpoint the location of the grave. stored ‘behind the scenes’ and is obtainable on request. Staff will help identify appropriate sources and give guidance on using the collection. Directories & Valuation Rolls The material is available for reference use only. We welcome visitors Directories and valuation rolls are very helpful for tracing where a and staff are happy to assist customers with their enquiries. family was living at a given time. The valuation rolls not only give the owner of the property but the tenant and sub tenant. Directories list business as well as lists of alphabetical names and addresses.
Newspapers Local newspapers give birth, death and marriage announcements as well as obituaries. The papers are also worth checking if a relative was in an accident or incident that was newsworthy at the time. This is often a good place to check when a death certificate gives an individual’s cause of death as an accident.
There are a great many other sources for family historians but these first steps will help you start your search. It is more than likely that once you have found your ancestors you will want to know more about their everyday life. Other sources in the library will help pad out your family’s social history. Maps can help to locate exactly where they were living and photographic collections are useful too.
This booklet is primarily for those wishing to start their family history and it is by no means a complete list of what the department has to offer. For more information or any queries please contact the department. First Steps in Tracing your Family Tree Genealogical Sources
There are a number of basic steps to take when embarking on your search: Old Parish Records Microfilm copies of the Parish Registers for all towns and villages in Ayrshire are available. Certificates Talk to older members of your family and try to gather as much 1553-1854 information and as many certificates as you can which will help to start you off. Registration was compulsory in Scotland from 1855 onwards. There is an index to births and marriages on fiche.
The information given in birth, marriage and death certificates can be a great stepping stone to earlier records. Family bibles, if available, are also a great source of information. Fill in a pedigree chart with as much Census Returns information as you can gather up. The chart is an easy and simple way to Microfilm copies for Ayrshire 1841 -1901 are available for consultation. help you to work out your next step. It is advisable to decide on one There are indexes to 1841, 1851, 1861, 1881(whole of Great Britain) branch of the family to start with following it through as far as you can. on computer and the 1891 is on fiche.
Census Returns International Genealogical Index The census returns are available from 1841 to 1901 (the 1911 census will The IGI is available on microfiche be available from 2011) and can be used in conjunction with certificates to provide further information on the household. The 1841 census gives the least information but from 1851 onwards the information given Voters Rolls (Electoral Registers) includes address, name, relationship to head of family, age, marital Ayr Burgh 1892-1974 status, sex, occupation and place of birth which includes county. This Kyle & Carrick District Council 1975-1996 information will allow you to trace back to other certificates or further back South Ayrshire Council from 1997 (if prior to 1855) to the Old Parish Records. Valuation Rolls Old Parish Records Ayr Burgh from 1906-1974 If the person you are looking for was born before 1855 then the place to Kyle & Carrick District Council 1975-1996 check for a birth, baptism, proclamation, marriage or death (though South Ayrshire Council from 1997 ‘Old Nell’ stamped sacks at sometimes very few deaths are listed) is the Old Parish Records. It must County of Ayrshire 1899-1942 (excluding Ayr Chemical Works be remembered when using these records that they are for Church of Ayr Irvine and Kilmarnock Burghs) Scotland only, that registration at this time was not compulsory and that there may also be gaps in the entries. The information given for a birth entry usually gives the child’s name, names of parents, date of birth/ Confirmations of Wills baptism and occasionally the father’s occupation. It also states whether These volumes cover the whole of Scotland and are the most the child is born in wedlock ‘lawful’ or out of wedlock ‘natural’. This complete out with Edinburgh. information can be helpful as there may be an entry in the Kirk Session 1876-1936 Records of any extramarital activity which in turn will give more 1948-1959 information about the circumstances of the child and its parents. Directories Computer & Internet access The department currently has two PCs available for Local and Family Directories for some Ayrshire towns are available but the collection History research. Internet access is available and our Web site particularly relates to Ayr. includes many useful links to sites of interest to the family and local historian. If you are not a library member please bring along proof of McCarter’s Directory for Ayr, identity if you require internet access. Newton & Wallacetown 1830 Pigot 1837 (Ayr section) ScotlandsPeople Vouchers Ayrshire Directory 1851-52 Scotlandspeople vouchers are available to buy in the library. Ayr Newton & Wallacetown Starter vouchers £6.00 for 60 credits Directory 1845-46 1849-50 1851- Top ups £4.80 for 30 credits 52 1858-59 1861-62 1864-65 1867- These vouchers can be used in the library and at home. This enables 68 1870-71 1873-74 1876-77 1878- users to access records for the whole of Scotland online. 79 1880-81 1882-83 1884-85 1886- 87 1888-89 1890-91 1892-93 1894- Findmypast.co.uk 95 1896-97 1898-99 1900-01 1902-03 1904-05 1906-07 1907-08 The library has taken out a subscription to Find my Past which 1908-09 1909-10 1910-11 1911-12 1912-13 1913-14 1914-15 enables users to have FREE access to English records using the PCs 1915-16 1918-19 1920-21 1922-23 1924-25 1926-27 1928-29 in the department. Ayr & District Directory 1930-31 1934-35 1936-37 1938-39 1940- 41 1949 1952-53 1955-56 1968 Carrick Directory 1883 Copying Service Kilmarnock Directory 1868 1879 1813-15 Copies of material may be obtained in the form of photocopies subject Kilmarnock & District Directory 1923-25 1928-29 1930-31 1933-36 to copyright restrictions and the condition of the material. 1936-39 Commercial Directory of Scotland Ireland & four most North Booking Counties of England 1820 -22 Although it is not necessary it is advisable to book a microfilm reader Directory to Gentlemen’s Seats etc in Scotland 1843 or computer. Bookings can be made by phone or email. Computers Directory to Noblemen and Gentlemen’s Seats etc in Scotland can be booked for two hour sessions, longer if they are still free after 1857 the two hour session. There is no limit to the time booked for microfilm National Commercial Directory of the whole of Scotland & the Isle readers. of Man Pigot & Co 1837 Royal National Commercial Directory and Topography of Scotland Slater 1867 Edinburgh Almanack 1815 Oliver & Boyd’s Edinburgh Almanack & National Repository 1908 County Directory of Scotland 1912 Sasines Local Newspapers
The department has the following indexes to the Register of Sasines The library holds microfilm copies of the local Ayr newspapers for Ayrshire. Ayr Advertiser from 1803 1599-1609 1821-1830 1865-1868 Ayr Observer from 1832-1899 1617-1634 1831-1840 Ayrshire Post from 1880 1635-1660 1841-1845 1781-1806 1846-1860 The department also holds papers for other towns in South Ayrshire 1806-1820 1861-1864 (various dates)
Maps Argus & Express Carrick Gazette An extensive collection of maps covering Carrick Herald Ayrshire is held in the library Girvan Courier Girvan Courier Photographic Collection Troon & Prestwick Times Troon Herald Over the years the department has amassed a collection of Troon Times photographs, images and postcards which give a valuable insight into the Ayrshire towns and villages in the past and present. It is advisable to check with the department the availability of papers/ microfilm readers in advance.
Monumental Inscriptions The department holds Monumental Inscriptions for a large number of graveyards in Ayrshire.