Useful Web LinksThere are many websites on the World Wide Web relating to history, for example: local history, family history, genealogy, social history, Scottish history, history of industry, transport and much more. The following websites have been gathered and grouped together to help you find out more about your chosen area of interest. Each entry has a description to give you an indication of the type of information each site contains. Enjoy exploring the ones that appeal to you. If you find a new site, which is not on our list and it is about local history and heritage, or on a topic that may interest other visitors to East Renfrewshire’s local history and heritage portal, please let us know. You can email us from our Contact Us page.
Please note: our website links to external web sites for users' convenience. We have no control over their reliability or availability or the content included on them. Inclusion of an external link is not an endorsement.
Click on a topic below to take you to a list of web links or simply scroll down the page.
Biography
| Burke’s Peerage | Historical guide to the UK and Ireland's titled and landed families. Includes clan chiefs as well as aristocracy, peerage and knights. |
| Electric Scotland | Official Scottish Clans |
| Spartacus Schoolnet | Famous Scots from 1400 to 1960 - from John Knox to Jennie Lee, John Menzies to John Muir, Allan Ramsay to Allan Pinkerton. |
Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
| History of Economic Thought | History of Economic Thought web site. Excellent on the Scottish Enlightenment with links to detailed writings by and about philosophers, economists, historians, etc of the time. Do a search for ‘Scottish Enlightenment’. |
Family History - 'How To'
| BBC Family History | Advice and useful links on how to begin researching your family history. English bias, but some useful Scottish information. |
| Old Scottish Handwriting | Tips on reading old handwriting. |
Family History - Finding Living People
| Friends Reunited | A means of tracing living friends or relatives who want to be found. Basic membership is free – expanded membership for a fee |
| 192.com | A commercial site which searches publicly available information such as electoral roles and telephone directories. |
| Forces Reunited | A UK Armed forces reunion site consisting of a database of over 200,000 Armed Forces and ex-Armed Forces personnel. Also offers a full trace service. Free basic service with additional services for a fee. |
| Genes Reunited | Sister site to Friends Reunited, Genes Reunited includes a family tree builder and allows users not only to find their ancestors but also to connect with living relatives and to share information with others looking for information too. Basic membership of the site is free and expanded membership is offered at a cost. |
Family History - General
| Ancestral Scotland | Useful for overseas researchers planning a trip to Scotland. Includes an ancestral and genealogy search. |
| BBC History Trails | Sections on various topics including Family History, Local History, Victorian Britain, Church and State and Wars and Conflict. |
| Cyndi’s List | A list of more than 200,000 categorized and cross-referenced links that point you to genealogical research sites on the Internet. |
| MyFamily.com | Commercial site by the same company that provides Ancestry.co.uk and RootsWeb.com. Features include facility to create your own family website and share news, pictures, video and voice clips and news. |
| Family History | The UK and Ireland’s guide to genealogical resources in public libraries. |
| Genealogy Resources for People of Colour | Links to genealogy resources for those of mixed ancestry: native American, black or white. |
| Genuk | This site is a valuable resource, containing a wealth of practical information on UK and Irish genealogy. It includes a useful "getting started" section, information on how to research from abroad (mainly North America) and pages on an introduction to Scottish family history. |
| Scotland Info | An Internet guide to Scotland with a useful genealogy section with links to relevant sites. |
| Scotland’s Census Results Online | This website has been created as part of an initiative to encourage the use of, and widen access to, the results of the 2001 Census in Scotland. Searches can be tailored to one area or theme. No access to personal names. |
| UK Genealogy | A site that brings together links to many family history web sites and online resources for the UK. |
| Scotland’s People | An essential site for Statutory Records (Birth, Marriage and Death records from 1855), Censuses (1871 –1901) and Old Parish Records. Credit card access. Includes a place name database compiled from Census returns. |
Family History - Records
| 1837online.com | This site includes an online version of the General Register Office (GRO) index of births, marriages and deaths for England and Wales from 1837 to 2001. The 1837 to 1983 section contains scanned images of the indexes (the same as the ones that can be seen at the Family Records Centre) and the 1984 to date section is in a database format. There is a direct link to the GRO certificate-ordering site. 1837online is a pay-per-view site; the basic charge is 10p per image view with a minimum charge of £5. |
| Ancestry.co.uk | Maintains an extensive archive of records from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, including census records along with civil, ecclesiastical and immigration records. |
| Mearnskirk Kirkyard Project | This site allow you to search through a database of the inscriptions from all visible stones in Mearnskirk Parish Church graveyard. In addtion, the project team have researched the history of the families buried there and this information is included with the records. |
| Ellis Island Foundation | Check this Website if you feel that any of your ancestors could have emigrated to America. |
| Family Records | Government records and other sources to help with family research. Contains links to many other useful sites. |
| Family Search | Extensive genealogical data and family search facilities run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and featuring the Family History Library containing millions of genealogical records. Searching across indexes and records from many different countries at the same time is possible, and useful guidance on searching for ancestors in different parts of the world is available. As well as containing information from parish records, family histories from individuals are included. This site is best for earlier material, e.g. Old Parish Records and pre-1875 information. |
| General Register Office for Scotland | Contains information on Registration, Population Statistics including the Census and Family Records, how to visit and how to order certificates by post. |
| Record Office - England [British Origins] | Access to the English genealogy collections online, including English ancestor records, maps of England and Wales, Boyd's marriage records, English census records, burial records, court depositions, apprenticeship records, wills and more, all accessible via a free British and English name search and UK place search. |
| Record Office - Ireland [Irish Origins] | Irish Origins claims to be the most authentic source for Irish genealogy information online, featuring the definitive version of Griffith's Primary Valuation of Ireland records and maps, the most important Irish genealogy research source prior to the 20th century, as well as the Irish Wills Index (1484-1858), the 1851 Dublin City Census, Irish Royal Garrison Artillery Records, Irish Origins Library, and many more collections. |
| Record Office - Northern Ireland | The website of the General Register Office for Northern Ireland contains details of the Register’s holdings including births, deaths, marriages and how to access them. |
| Record Office – Republic of Ireland | This is the website of the General Register Office for the Republic of Ireland. If you wish to obtain a certificate issued for a birth, marriage or death occurring since 1921 in the counties making up the Republic of Ireland, you should apply to the General Register Office of Ireland. |
| Record Office - Scotland | Also known as Scotland's People - contains online sources of original genealogical information including statutory registers (birth, marriage and death records 1855 - 1954), old parish registers (1553 – 1854), census records (1871 - 1901), wills and testaments (1513 – 1901). Credit and debit card access. |
| Roots Web | A vast site, which includes free births, deaths and marriages information for England and Wales and hosts the ISTG Project (indexing of passenger lists for North America & Canada). There are lots of opportunities for sharing data or requesting help. You can also request an e-mail newsletter. |
| Scots Origins | Scots Origins features a free IGI search, access to Origins Experts’ research of authentic Scottish records from 1700 to 1990, a free Scottish place search, and expert articles and discussion on Scottish history. |
| Scottish Emigration Database | The Scottish Emigration Database currently contains the records of over 21,000 passengers who embarked at Glasgow and Greenock for non-European ports between 1 January and 30 April 1923, and at other Scottish ports between 1890 and 1960. |
Family Tree Software
| Family Tree Maker | Free software to help you build a family tree. |
First and Second World Wars
| BBC Around Scotland | Interactive children’s site including life in Scotland during 1941 |
| Commonwealth War Graves Commission | The Commission's database listing the 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died during the two world wars and the 23,000 cemeteries, memorials and other locations worldwide where they are commemorated. In two-thirds of cases the information includes details of next-of-kin. The register can also be searched for details of the 67,000 Commonwealth civilians who died as a result of enemy action in the Second World War. |
| Imperial War Museum | Web site of the Imperial War Museum with UK wide information. |
| National Archives Documents Online | A web site including five million servicemen’s records from the First World War and more. |
Gazetteers
| Gazetteer of Britain | A gazetteer of British place names, which lists the County in which each place lies, including the name of the most important administrative areas (i.e. of local government, police, health authority, region and lieutenancy). |
| Gazetteer of Scotland | Comprehensive geographical database for Scotland developed since 1995 by the University of Edinburgh and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. (Click on Gazetteer for Scotland link). |
| Undiscovered Scotland | Contains a very useful links page with themed collections of Scottish links on history and heritage subjects. |
Genealogy - British Organisations
| Society of Genealogists | The website gives information about the Society’s Family History Library and Education Centre in London with opening times and facilities. |
Genealogy - International Organisations
| Federation of Family History Societies | An international organisation, established in the UK, which represents, advises and supports over 210 family history societies and other genealogical organisations worldwide. The website includes advice on starting out on your family research. |
Genealogy - Scottish Organisations
| Association of Scottish Genealogists and Research Agents | This on-line resource contains information on the Association of Scottish Genealogists and Records Agents, sourcing family history, and a list of professional researchers with full contact details to arrange private commissions. |
| Family Research | English, Scottish and Irish genealogy news and articles. Includes links to many useful sites for searching on surnames, births, deaths, marriages and free genealogy databases. |
| Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society | The society, which is not a business, is run entirely by volunteers and aims to promote the study of family history, particularly in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. |
| Guild of One-Name Studies | Includes a searchable index of surnames that are being studied by other researchers. |
| NB Ancestral Research | A professional Scottish genealogy research service whose website offers tips on conducting your own research. |
| Scottish Association of Family History Societies | This site gives details of Family History Societies in Scotland. It provides links to their sites, which in turn give details of meetings, publications, events etc. |
| Scottish Genealogy Society | This site encourages you to visit or contact the Society either by e-mail or in person. The address and opening times are given. A list of subjects covered by their library is posted, with details of their small fee for consulting the items. |
| Scottish Roots | A professional Scottish genealogy service that will undertake detailed ancestral research into your Scottish ancestors. |
General History
| BBC History Online | Advice on studying History with sections on Topics, Resources and Practical History |
| Collect Britain | Collect Britain presents 90,000 images and sounds from the British Library, chosen to evoke places in the UK and beyond, in the form of specially selected collections, themed tours and virtual exhibitions. |
| Historical Association | The Historical Association, founded in 1906, aims to further the study, teaching and enjoyment of history at all levels: teacher and student, amateur and professional. The website has pages on local history. |
General History - British Regiments
| British Army Regiments | Land forces of Britain, the Empire and Commonwealth. Includes a wealth of history and information about wars, nations, traditions and all British Regiments. |
Industry - Britain
| Coal Mining History Resource Centre | The Coal Mining History Resource Centre. Contains huge amounts of information, including the UK national database of mining death and injuries, 1850-1972, maintained by Ian Winstanley. Also contains maps, the 1842 Royal Commission reports on children in the mines, mining disasters, and lists of miners in 1869, 1880, 1908, 1918, 1938 and 1945, etc. |
Industry - Scotland
| Scottish Ironwork | On this site you will find historical information, an online database, technical area and special features on the Scottish ironwork tradition. |
| Clydebridge Steelworks | A history of the Clydebridge Steel works and Clyde Iron works in Lanarkshire, but with much useful information about the history of the Iron and Steel Industry in Scotland. |
| Glasgow University Archives | Glasgow University Archives – information on a wide range of businesses and industry, including the Scottish Brewing Archive, and the Business Archives Council of Scotland. |
| Scottish Economic History Database | Scottish Economic History Database 1550-1780. A site maintained by Exeter University with information on crop yields, demographic data, prices, wages, weather statistics and fiars prices. The data is the result of a project, the full results of which are published in AJS Gibson and TC Smout’s, Scottish food, wages and prices, 1550 – 1780; (Cambridge University Press, 1994). |
| Scottish Mines | A complete index of all mines in Scotland listed by Her Majesty's Inspectors of Mines in 1896, both Coal and Miscellaneous Mines. |
| Scottish Mining Museum | Web site of the Scottish Mining Museum at Newtongrange, Midlothian. |
| Scottish Textile Heritage Online | A pilot project providing a one-stop shop for anyone wanting information about the richness and diversity of Scottish Textile heritage collections. Users may browse through a database of some 4,000 descriptions of archive and museum collections and objects with supporting images. |
Local History - East Renfrewshire
| Barrhead Scotland | A community driven web site initiative that involves local schools, community groups and citizens alike. Contains local history information including searchable databases of the 1841 Census of Neilston, the 1851 Census of Neilston and Barrhead and men from the Levern Valley area who fell in the First World War. |
| Barrhead Heritage Trail | Each of Barrhead Heritage Trail’s 25 sites has circular commemorative blue plaques giving a brief description of each location. This website compliments the trail with a map, photographs and historical detail of each of the sites. |
| Bobbins and Threads | A website containing history and memories of Neilston Mill workers. Neilston Bobbins and Threads were established in 2002 by a small group of individuals who wished to bring together the community by their involvement with the Neilston Mill. |
| Busby Local History | A selection of photographs, information and personal memories about the village of Busby collected by the Busby Local History Group. |
| Holocaust Remembrance | East Renfrewshire Council's Holocaust Website has information about the Holocaust, in particular, how it impacted on all of the people of East Renfrewshire, home to Scotland’s largest Jewish community. The website contains oral and written testimonies from survivors in the community. |
| It’s Funny Whit Ye Remember | Barrhead People’s Story Group present their oral reminiscences of the local way of life from the 1920s to the 1950s in this website. |
| Mearns History Group | Contains information on the group's activities as well as lots of articles and features on the history of Mearns. Also has a photo gallery. |
| Neilston Station Centenary website | A website aimed at children to commemorate the centenary of Neilston railway station 1903 - 2003, including video, audio and images. |
| Vision of Britain Through Time | A vision of Britain between 1801 and 2001, including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions. A location search on East Renfrewshire then allows you to search by theme. Themes include: Historical Maps, consisting of historical mapping from the 19th and 20th century with zooming and panning facilities; Relationships and Change, containing information on administrative units and boundary changes; Population; Life & Death; Industry; Work & Poverty; Social Class; Housing; Learning & Language; and Roots & Religion. |
Local History - General
| Local History Magazine links | Around 300 links to useful sites gathered by the Local History Magazine and grouped into 8 headings including Genealogy and Historical. |
Local History - Glasgow
| Glasgow Digital Library | Contains themed digitised material: The Maxton Papers, Virtual Mitchell (photographs of Glasgow from the Mitchell Library and City Archives), Voyage of the Scotia, Springburn Virtual Museum, Glasgow Info, Red Clydeside (a history of the Labour movement in Glasgow 1910- 1932), E-books about Glasgow, E-books about Scotland, Aspect (Scottish Parliamentary Election Candidate Materials) and Victorian Times. |
Local History - Renfrewshire
| Renfrewshire Local History Forum | The Forum acts as a link between the various societies in the area by publishing newsletters and giving details of events that might be of interest. It has an active and enthusiastic archaeology group, which holds regular meetings on relevant topics and organises fieldwork, excavations and site surveys. |
Local History - Scotland
| Stenlake Publishing | Specialist local history publishers based in Scotland. Publications on local subjects include: Old Busby, Old Newton Mearns, Mearns Matters; Old Giffnock, Old Uplawmoor, Old Eaglesham and Old Thornliebank. |
Maps
| Charting the Nation | A comprehensive site for old Scottish maps (1550 – 1740), browsable using thumbnail images or keyword searches. The site contains invaluable source materials for the study of the history of cartography, architectural history, genealogy, military history, environmental history and archaeology, amongst many other disciplines. Over 3,500 high-resolution images are currently available. |
| Edinburgh University Library map collections | With modest purchases, the collection now consists of about 105,000 sheets, several hundred atlases, and cartobibliographies. The intention is to provide a general reference collection, to meet teaching and some research requirements within the University. |
| Glasgow Map Centre | Commercial site for purchase of Ordnance Survey maps (Siteplan, Landplan, Superplan, Explorer, Landranger, etc.) |
| Glasgow University Library | Glasgow University Library holds a small number of maps covering the East Renfrewshire area |
| Google Maps | Provides access to maps, businesses in particular areas, and directions. |
| National Library of Scotland maps | Includes maps of Scotland (around 1,300 from 1560 – 1928), Pont’s Maps of Scotland (c1583 – c1596), Military Maps of Scotland (18th century) and Ordnance Survey town plans (1847 – 1895). |
| Old Maps | Providing access to Britain's most extensive digital historical map archive. Find out where your ancestors used to live or check out what your neighbourhood looked like over a hundred years ago. Online OS maps, 1846 – 1899, of Scotland, England and Wales at 1:10,000 (6 inches: 1 mile). |
| Ordnance Survey | Ordnance Survey maps and products for sale. |
| Street Map | A searchable, online version of the Ordnance Survey Landranger maps, which is very easy to use. Maps can be downloaded free. |
Medieval and Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries
| Centre for Reformed Theology and Apologetics | Contains electronic books and articles and historic church documents on the Reformation in Scotland. |
| Medieval Monasticism | Academic site on monasticism (Georgia College and State University) – includes some famous monasteries and abbeys in Scotland. Lack of search facility means it takes longer to find Scottish resources. |
| Scottish Parliament History | The Scottish Parliament web site. Includes the history of the earlier Scottish Parliament. |
| Stewart Society | Information on the Stewart Kings, artefacts, places to visit, etc. |
Prehistory, Romans and Dark Ages
| BBC Romans in Scotland | The Romans in Scotland – a good site for schools and for general readers. |
| Cyberscotia | Web site on the archaeology and antiquities of the Lothians, with a particular interest in Cairnpapple. |
| Hadrian’s Wall | In depth history of the Wall, with suggested walking routes |
| Hunterian Museum | The web site of the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow |
| Pictarts | Web site of the Pictish Arts Society, a forum for the study and discussion of all aspects of Pictish and early Scottish history |
| Scottish Crannog Centre | Web site of the Scottish Crannog Centre, Loch Tay. |
| Stones of Scotland | Ancient sites, brochs, forts, standing stones, stone circles, etc. |
| Whithorn Trust | Web site of the Whithorn Trust and its work on the St Ninian’s settlement at Whithorn and the early Church in Scotland. |
Scottish Buildings and Archaeology
| Historic Scotland | Contains details of Scotland’s monuments and buildings. |
| Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland | The website allows users to access RCAHMS’s database using Canmore by registering (free of charge). Canmore contains details of c.250,000 archaeological sites, ancient monuments, buildings and maritime sites in Scotland. It also provides an index to the catalogued collections of RCAHMS and images of some of the photographs and drawings in the collection. |
| West of Scotland Archaeology Service | This website has information about sites and monuments in the area covered by its member Councils (including East Renfrewshire), details of recent fieldwork and discoveries, and links to other archaeological organisations and groups. The site is intended for use by professional archaeologists, local societies and community groups, academic researchers, and anyone with an interest in the archaeology and history of Scotland. |
Scottish History - 'How To'
| Learning Curve | A free online teaching and learning resource, following the national history curriculum from key stages 2-5. English curriculum, but has some excellence material also relevant to Scotland, e.g. Focus on the Census – using historical censuses. |
Scottish History
| Britannia.com | The Britannia website is ‘America’s gateway to the British Isles’, but is more than just a travel/tourism site. It has good timelines, good biographies of Great Scots, and a ‘brief’ history of Scotland in 18 chapters. |
| Electric Scotland | A broad ranging website with sections on Scottish & Scots Irish Clans and Families, Family Tree, Genealogy, Battles, Regiments and General Scottish History. It is a popular, non-academic website, which includes access to a virtual library of over 60 classic and historical texts now out of copyright and many of them out of print – www.electricscotland.com/history/books.htm |
| History Scotland Magazine | Illustrated magazine covering all aspects of Scotland's history and heritage. Features on archaeology, history, architecture, place-names, language, environmental and local history. Scholarly but aimed at a wide audience. |
| History World | A vast site which covers the history of Scotland from before pre-Roman times up to the present day. |
| National Archives | The National Archives website has several searchable databases to help you find out about records held by other archives, including Scottish archives. |
| National Archives of Scotland | The main archive for sources on the history of Scotland, the website contains information on the National Archives of Scotland collections, family history, researching and factsheets as well as access to a searchable electronic catalogue. |
| National Library of Scotland | The website of the National Library of Scotland – Scotland's largest library and the world centre for the study of Scotland and the Scots. Contains online catalogues and indexes to the library’s collections of books, manuscripts, maps and other materials. There is also access to many digital resources covering topics such as maps, Experiences of War, Scotland’s Pages, Mary Queen of Scots, First Scottish Books, etc. www.nls.uk/digitallibrary/index.html |
| National Museums of Scotland | National Museums of Scotland website |
| Scotland's Culture | The website, supported by the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Library and Information Council, provides a robust searching mechanism for accessing printed and electronic information about Scottish Culture. |
| Scotsman Archive | The Scotsman archive online, 1817 to 1950. The initial search is free, but to see the digitised articles you must subscribe. A huge resource, with free text searching. The articles appear as digitised images or the original newspapers. |
| Scottish Archive Network | The key parts of the website are: Online Catalogues – access to the electronic catalogues of more than 50 Scottish archives via one web portal – helping you to find out where 25,000 collections of historical records are held and what they contain; Research Tools – a variety of helpful guides and interactive tools – including a glossary, currency converter, gazetteer and knowledge base, compiled by Scotland’s professional archivists and experienced researchers; Digital Archive – free access to digital versions of historical records held by Scottish archives – search entire volumes of historical records, visit exhibitions, and add a virtual dimension to school projects using online education modules. |
| Scottish Records Association | The Scottish Records Association is concerned with the preservation and use of historical records in Scotland. It provides a forum where users, owners and custodians of records can discuss matters relating to their custody, conservation and accessibility. The website contains archival summaries of holdings of libraries, museums and other institutions not covered by SCAN. |
| BBC In Search of Scotland | A large general interactive history site, with a good deal on Scottish history. |
| BBC Scottish History | ‘Scottish History’ – includes ‘Scotland on Film’, ‘Scottish Roots’, ‘In Search of Scotland’, ‘Robert Burns’, ‘The Wireless to the Web’ and ‘Legacies’. |
| SCRAN (Scottish Cultural Resources Access Network) | The aim of Scran is to provide educational access to digital materials representing Scotland’s material culture and history. It hosts over 300,000 images, movies and sounds from museums, galleries, archives and the media. A search on East Renfrewshire returns over 450 entries. A subscription site, but thumbnail images can be seen for free, and schools in East Renfrewshire have free full access. |
Scottish History - Records
| Scottish Census Online | Scottish Census On Line. Access to the detailed breakdown of the 2001 Census figures. Searches can be tailored to one area or theme. No access to personal names. |
| Statistical Accounts of Scotland | Provides online access to the Statistical Accounts of Scotland. The two Statistical Accounts of Scotland, covering the 1790s and the 1830s, are among the best contemporary reports of life during the agricultural and industrial revolutions in Europe. Free access to full search facilities from any East Renfrewshire public library and basic search facilities from anywhere else. |
Scottish Place Names
| Scottish Place Name Society | The Scottish Place Name Society, which has charitable status, was launched in February 1996 and exists for the support of all aspects of toponymic studies in Scotland, and in particular the work of the Scottish Place-Name Database at the University of St. Andrews and the University of Edinburgh. |
Transport - Canals
| British Waterways Scotland | British Waterways Scotland web site. |
| Canal Junction | Canal heritage, history and culture, UK-wide, but with a good section on Scottish canals (select ‘Canal Guides and Maps’). Also an information service to answer any question about British inland waterways, their history and culture. |
| Linlithgow Union Canal Society | Linlithgow Union Canal Society site. Visitor information on the Canal, attractions at the Canal Basin, and useful links to Scottish and UK canal heritage sites. |
Transport - Railways
| Airdrie Bathgate Rail Link Project | Official web site of the Airdrie to Bathgate Rail Link, the campaign group to have the line re-opened. Includes a history of the line. |
| Railscot | Good site on Scottish railways, past and present. |
| Scottish Railway Preservation Society | Web site of The Scottish Railway Preservation Society, maintained by volunteers of the society. Information on events and displays at Bo’ness, but also of wider interest. |
| UK Heritage Railways | Extensive web site produced in association with the Heritage Rail Association. It includes heritage railway maps, a database of locomotives and of carriages, and a database of another 659 railway heritage web sites. |
