The following I hope may assist those who are thinking about researching family history based on my own experience.

It has to be said that you will require a certain amount of patience and meticulous record keeping of information, over the last 8 years I have stumbled across a few 'Red Herrings' and had it not been for the ability to cross reference and refer to notes made, then many hours of time wasted. You embark on being like a Detective piecing together little clues gained here and there.

Gather together as much information from sources within your own family, such as

Birth, Marriage and Death certificates (extremely important).

Photographs, Letters, Postcards, Diaries and News clippings.

Baptismal certificates.

Military medals and service records.

Wills / Testaments.

Occupational (work / business) records.

The above should be photocopied wherever possible.

Ask Granny/Grandad, Aunts/Uncles etc. to relate tales/facts regarding your ancestors, let them know you are interested, be a good listener, take notes (please don't annoy elderly relatives with persistent questioning.) It can be weeks or months when relatives inform you of something they have remembered.

Sources of Information

Local and National Libraries.
Local offices of Registrars of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Burial / Crematorium records (may be held at local library).
Registrar General for Scotland.
The Internet (genealogy newsgroups).
Church of Scotland (Old Parish records).
Clan and Military Associations.
Family History centres (the Mormon church has a large database).

Most database information is held on Microfiche / Microfilm.

List of main records in care at the Registrar General for Scotland

Registers of Births, Deaths and Marriages (from 1855).
Old Parish records (1553 - 1854).
Register of neglected entries (1801 - 1854).
Census records (1841 - 1891).
War registers (from 1891).
Service records (1881 - 1959).
Marine register of Births, Deaths (from 1855).
Air register of Births, Deaths (from 1948).
Consular returns (from 1914).

There are many books published that may assist in your quest and advice from your local library as to what is available is usually best, some titles worth getting started with are:

Surnames - The Surnames of Scotland by G. F. Black.
Families - Scottish Family Histories by Joan Ferguson.
Census - Census records for Scottish Families at Home and Abroad by Gordon Johnson.

Lastly, if you do post a query in a local newspaper or internet newsgroup please give as much information about an individual or family as possible for the best chance of a reply.

Genealogy Links

Clan information Links

Happy Researching.