Scot Roots May Be Tough to Dig Up

Whether your Scottish ancestors were among the defeated Jacobites who arrived in the 17th Century, or political prisoners who were transported to America in the 18th Century, or came via Canada later, you are among millions of Americans who have Scottish roots.

Americans have long been captivated by the modern cult of clans and tartans, much of which is deplorably unhistorical, especially when adopted by descendants of Lowlanders who thought the only good Highlander was a dead Highlander.

Once you trace a line back to Scotland, what then? It depends on your goal. Do you wish to do a genealogy or a family history?

A genealogy is only a skeleton, “and the most interesting part of family historical work is to paint in the flesh and to catch the breath of the spirit,” says David Moody, assistant district librarian with East Lothian District Libraries in Scotland and author of two recent books, “Scottish Family History” and “Scottish Local History” (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1001 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, Md. 21202; $22.45.)

Moody’s books will open your eyes about the vast material available in Scotland. Aside from the “official records,” which any genealogist worth her or his salt will have exhausted, there are other biographical sources in print that few have touched. Do you have a Scottish ancestor who might have graduated from college? Are you aware of D.E.R. Watt’s “Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Graduates to AD 1410,” published in 1977?

In addition, of the four traditional universities, matriculation rolls of three--Aberdeen, Glasgow and St. Andrews--have been published. “The Matriculation Albums of the University of Glasgow from 1728 to 1858,” by William Innes Addison, was published in 1913.

Research by Americans of Scottish records, once searchers have exhausted what has been microfilmed by the LDS (Mormon) Family History Library in Salt Lake City, is difficult and probably will necessitate hiring a professional researcher in Scotland. Two organizations that may help you find someone to research Scotland’s records are: The Assn. of Scottish Genealogists and Records Agents, P.O. Box 174, Edinburgh, Scotland EH3 5 QZ, and The Scots Ancestry Research Society, 3 Albany St., Edinburgh, Scotland 1.

Library and record office staffs in Scotland are usually quite helpful and will handle inquiries via mail, but they cannot do in-depth searching. You can obtain a list of names and addresses of professional researchers from the General Register Office for Scotland, New Register House, Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 3YT.

Gormley welcomes genealogical questions for her column, but cannot answer individual letters. For her beginner’s how-to genealogy kit, with charts, send $4 to Kit, P.O. Box 64316, Tacoma, Wash. 98464.