Family history

An old black and white photograph of five young people sitting on a wall. They are all wearing flat caps and their clothes are worn. Some do not have shoes on.

Your story starts here

Visit the Mitchell Library for a one-stop shop for online and in-person resources for the family historian. Explore a rich collection of archives and records, learn how to use our resources to trace your family tree, and uncover the lives and stories of your ancestors.

Start your journey today and see where your story takes you.

  • Where to start

    Not sure where to begin? Our guide is packed with useful tips and guidance.

    Two people sitting at a desk with two large old books in front of them with filing cabinets behind them in the background

  • Family History at The Mitchell

    Find out about the resources available at The Mitchell, including Archives, Registrars and Special Collections.

    Photo showing The Family History centre branding and directional signage at The Family History Centre within The Mitchell Library

  • Research guides

    Explore our full list of guides to help your family history research. View records of births, deaths and marriages to electoral and burial registers.

    A black and white photo of a busy street with trams, many pedestrians, high sandstone shop buildings and traffic lights.

Stories from The Mitchell

Stories and blogs from the Mitchell

Explore our blogs and articles for information and top tips

  • Times Past blogs

    Our archivists explore Glasgow's fascinating history with new articles each week.

    A black and white photo of Cathkin House which has white railings around it, a path leading up to the entrance plus a large lawn with mature trees and shrubs.

  • Special Collections Blogs

    On rare books, manuscripts and other special collections to support local and family history

    A black, white and grey painting of a grand building in the background

  • Famous faces

    Discover the research carried out by some of our users, including some well known faces!

    Image of a man called Archie MacPherson sitting at a table looking at the camera in a dimly lit room with a bookcase behind him

Our Family History collection is packed full of images of Glasgow's past

A photo of a busy Glasgow street with tall tenement style buildings on both sides, horse and carriage and lots of pedestrians.
Buchanan Street
A black and white photograph of a baby on a swing holding onto the swing chain, wearing dirty clothes. There is an older child on the other swing and buildings in the background.
A child playing on a swing
A black and white photo of several women workers in a factory creating grenades. A man in a dark suit is walking around taking notes.
WW1 Munitions factory
A photo of a theatre and statue in Glasgow with people posing outside them for the photo and other people just going about their day in the background.
The Lyceum Theatre
A black and white photo of a street with trams driving along the lines, tall tenement style shop buildings are on both sides with people walking on the pavement. You can also see the spires of a cathedral and a church in the background.
Great Western Road
A black and white photo of a red sandstone building which is slightly curved round a corner of a cobbled road, tram lines are on the road and a tram is moving on the left hand side. Shop fronts are on the bottom row of the tall building.
Charing Cross

Family History Image Gallery

Click here to view more of our family history images, from street scenes to shop fronts 

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