Primary Sources

Scotland Primary Sources and Catalogues

Chart detailing primary sources for Guthrie research in Scotland from the 1100s to the 1600s, including priority, source, and significance for historical research.

Scotland Published Primary Record Series

A table titled 'Published Primary Record Series' listing various Scottish historical publications along with their uses, including the Scottish Record Society, Scottish History Society, Bannatyne Club, Maitland Club, Scottish Burgh Records Society, Chartularies and monastic registers, Regesta Regum Scotorum, and TannerRitchie/ MEMSO.

Scotland Key Secondary Sources

A decorative chart listing secondary sources for genealogy research, including The Scots Peerage, Douglas The Baronetage of Scotland, Warden Angus or Forfarshire, Jervis Memorials of Angus and Mearns, Red Book of Scotland, and Scotland's History Online, along with their recommended uses and cautions.

Search Variants to Consider

Use Guthrie, Guthre, Guthry, Guthreyn, Guthery, Gutherie, Guttery, de Guthrie, de Guthre, plus place-linked searches: Guthrie, Kincaldrum / Kyncaldrum, Lour / Loure, Eassie / Esse / Essie, Hiltoun / Hilton / Hiltoune, Lunan, Lownan, Lowne, Colliston, Pitmuies, Powrie, Forfar, Angus, Dundee, Brechin, Arbroath, St Andrews.

Suggested Search Order

Start with NRS catalogue, NLS manuscripts, PoMS, RPS, RMS, RSS, RPC, Retours, Sasines, Wills/Testaments, Register of Deeds, and Scottish Record Society protocol books. Then expand to burgh records, kirk sessions, tax rolls, local archives, chartularies, and secondary compilations.

What to Document

Log: date, source title, archive/reference, exact name spelling, role/designation, associated lands, associated people, document type, whether primary/printed/secondary, and whether the record proves identity, relationship, landholding, office, or merely presence.