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Ancestry

Ancestry Library Edition is an invaluable online genealogical resource, offering access to thousands of searchable databases.

Ancestry​

Bringing together billions of historical records, millions of family trees, and millions of enthusiastic family researchers, Ancestry is the world’s largest online family history resource and the best place to build a family tree, find new ancestors, and share discoveries with family.​​

 

Ancestry: Glasgow Electoral Registers 1857-1962

Over 100 years of electoral registers (or voters rolls) from the Mitchell Library’s extensive family history collection have been digitised and have been available in Ancestry© since 16th September 2016. The inclusion of the registers from 1857 to 1962 will make a huge difference in terms of undertaking both local history- and family history-related research. This powerful tool will enable you to search the database by name rather than by ward so will not only speed up your research but will enable you to delve deeper into the lives of your ancestors.

 

What do I need to know before I start?

The full name of the person, including middle names (if you have them). The following information will help to identify an individual, especially if they have a common name such as David Smith:

  • place of birth
  • where they lived eg for searching a census record
  • port of departure or port of entry eg for searching passenger lists
  • father’s name
  • mother’s name
  • wife’s or husband's name
  • dates

 

How do I access Ancestry at The Mitchell: Special Collections?

Members of Glasgow Libraries have free access to Ancestry from any library computer. Visitors can apply for temporary membership to enable them to use this resource.

 

Join Glasgow Libraries in person by visiting The Mitchell Library or your local library, or join online.

What information is available in Ancestry?

Ancestry contains thousands of databases and our staff can offer tips to help you search them effectively.

Resources include:

Census Collections for Scotland, England and Wales
Civil Registration Index, England and Wales
US Federal Census and Canadian Census Collection
Military Collection
Immigration and Emigration
US Obituaries and Death Notices
Charts and forms to help you build your family tree

See Ancestry for full list of what's available to view.

Details given in the various records vary, but those for Census reports include:

  • address
  • head of household
  • place of birth
  • age
  • occupation
  • other people living in the house during night of the Census

 

​What databases are on Ancestry?

  • Census images for England and Wales: 1841- 1911
  • Census transcripts for Scotland: 1841-1901
  • British Army World War I Records: 1914-1920
  • British Navy Lists: 1888-1970
  • British Army Roll of Honour: 1939-1945
  • British Phonebooks: 1880-1984
  • British Prisoners of War: 1939-1945
  • New York Passenger Lists: 1820-1957
  • UK Incoming Passenger Lists: 1878-1960
  • Civil Registration Index (Births, Marriages, Deaths) England and Wales, 1837- present
  • Ireland, Civil Registration Indexes Marriage, 1845-1958
  • Ireland, Civil Registration Indexes Births, 1864-1958
  • US Federal Census, 1790-1930

A full list of all databases is available to view on Ancestry.

 

What records can I see elsewhere?

The original source records for many of Ancestry's databases can be found in diverse archives and collections. This includes the National Records of Scotland and The National Archives.

 

Contact

Special Collections

specialcollections@glasgowlife.org.uk

0141 287 2988

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