Find Ancestors

Moira, It is always worth looking on Scotsorigins or IGI for Scottish relatives. ScotlandsPeople is a pay to view site but does have a lot of information available: Statutory Registers Births 1855 - 1905 Marriages 1855 - 1930 Deaths 1855 - 1955 Old Parish Registers Births & Baptisms 1553 - 1854 Banns & Marriages 1553 - 1854 Census 1841 to 1901 Wills and Testaments Free Index Search 1513 - 1901 Statutory registers and census will cost 1 unit or more to view the search results and then another 5 units to view the images - except the 1881 census where it is 1 unit as images are not available and you only get the transcription. 30 units cost £6 and can be bought in multiples of £6 but there is a time limit of 168 hours to use the units. Otherwise you have to buy more units to activate any left over ones - not sure that makes sense. Ancestry is fine for England and Wales but does have the Scottish 1841 census but no images. Maureen

You point people in the right direction but another member comes along and does the lookup for them anyway. I did a lookup for one member then 2 weeks later they were after another SP lookup so told him to spend his own money. He was okay about it. I do wish SP would extend the time to use the units. Perhaps one day they will do a monthly or yearly subscription. Maureen

To all the wonderful people who have willing given their time, advice and extra pennies - I myself have been the reciepent of wonderful information and direction that has opened up my eyes and mind set me on a course that has rendered very positive outcomes - I have thought about how so many wonderful people give of their time etc and wondered how I could be of assistance - It would be lovely if GR could somehow arrange credit for those that give particularly as it has enchanced the membership ratings of this site because of the help/direction etc - I have always extended my invitation to help in any way I can particularly as I come from downunder, and that offer still stands I do not wish to upset or use anyone, so I shall only ask for direction - it had being in another country to know where, how and when look etc - but everybody has been generous - I do not expect anything from anyone it is a joy to help in anyway I can - Thank you all

Betty I used to do exactly the same as you and buy extra credits to help others with look-ups on scotlands people. I soon stopped when like you certain people didn't even say thank you, I think we can become too helpful. Georgina.

Yes I have used my own credits in the past to help people, but not anymore. I often tell people that they can look on scotlandspeople and its free to register etc and you gives a pay per view service. For £6.00 you get 30 credits, and you can download a black & white copy of the certificate for 5 credits. But then other GR members come and give them the info anyway, so why should they waste their own money when they can use someone elses.

Can I just say I agree with whats been said by everyone, I too can't afford to waste credits on Scotlands People. Its very expensive if you count what you spend in a year if all your relatives are Scottish The various people as you have mentioned who go to the Record Offices are a blessing to us all, what would we do without them!! I just wish Scotland had a website like Ancestry where you paid a yearly fee, it would be much cheaper, this month alone has cost me £30 and I still haven't found everything I need. Thanks for all your replies, think I will cut back on offering to do searches for other people unless I have a few spare credits. Betty

It is, I suppose, possible, that some members do not realise it is a pay site. Perhaps you should say something like - this is the address, credits cost XX, I don't have any spare at the moment. I certainly wouldn't expect anyone to use their credits on my behalf, much less buy them specially for that purpose! OC

Anne, Please stop doing that. Why should you pay for another members research? Maureen

Betty, I have in the past bought credits on ScotlandsPeople to help members but only when I knew I would be using the rest myself. Will not be doing that in future: 1. I can no longer afford to do my own research 2. There are too many members who week after week ask for lookups on ScotlandsPeople. Maureen

Betty I do too - I started of using spare credits but I now buy sredits to use for my look-up thread too. Anne ps don't get much thank yous!

OH BETTY BOO I certainly wouldnt buy units for others to use!!. Would direct them to the site and tell em to buy their own!!. You are too kind. and may get taken advantage of, Shirley

just read your other message, i wouldnt go and buy more credits just to search for them especially when most people can do it themselves, some just seem so lazy...

Hi Shirley, I just wondered if other people did it too. Mhairi I don't have any left either but I just buy them to help people.

I dont usually have any left... Mhairi

Oh Betty i would certainly thank anyone who had got info for especially if they had spent THEIR money to do so. Seems very ungrateful to me for you not to have got any thanks at the least

Hi Shirley, No I don't mean spare credits, I mean I go on the website and buy credits just to search for their rellies. Betty

wouldn't want your thread to unanswered sssssssssooo have to say i haven't needed to do any search on Scotland's peeps But if i did and had spare units would certainly use them to help others!!

I have and some don't even come back to say thanks. Betty