Ancestry Scotland Records Rights Dispute
- For those tracing their roots in the British Isles, a recent setback in data access could significantly impact research.
- The core of the issue stems from a 2018 contract between NRS and Findmypast, granting the latter exclusive rights to digitize and publish Scottish birth, marriage, and death...
- The records in question are substantial, encompassing approximately 47.5 million vital event records dating back to 1855. These records are crucial for genealogical research, providing essential details about...
Ancestry’s Scottish Record Access Stalled: What It Means for Your Family history
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For those tracing their roots in the British Isles, a recent setback in data access could significantly impact research. Ancestry’s Irish division, Findmypast, has been unsuccessful in securing rights to millions of past records held by National Records of Scotland (NRS).
The Dispute: A Matter of Contract and Control
The core of the issue stems from a 2018 contract between NRS and Findmypast, granting the latter exclusive rights to digitize and publish Scottish birth, marriage, and death records. However,the Scottish goverment,through NRS,initiated legal proceedings in 2023,alleging that Findmypast had failed to meet digitization targets outlined in the agreement. The court of Session in Edinburgh ruled in favor of NRS in July 2024, effectively terminating the contract.
Millions of Records at Stake
The records in question are substantial, encompassing approximately 47.5 million vital event records dating back to 1855. These records are crucial for genealogical research, providing essential details about ancestors’ lives, including dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. Without access, family historians face notable hurdles in building out their family trees.
What Does This Mean for Researchers?
Currently, access to these digitized records through Findmypast is limited. While some records remain available, the full collection is not accessible as it was prior to the legal dispute. Researchers are now reliant on accessing records directly through the National Records of Scotland, which offers both online and in-person access, though potentially at a slower pace and with different search functionalities. You can explore options for accessing records directly through the National Records of Scotland website.
The Future of Scottish Record Access
NRS is now seeking a new partner to digitize and publish the remaining records. The process of selecting a new provider is underway, with a decision expected in the coming months. The Scottish government has emphasized its commitment to making these records widely accessible, but the timeline for full restoration of access remains uncertain. The case highlights the complexities of balancing commercial interests with public access to historical data.
Beyond Findmypast: Choice Resources
While this situation impacts Findmypast users, numerous other resources can aid Scottish ancestry research. ScotlandsPeople is the official government resource for searching Scottish records, offering a extensive database. Additionally, resources like FamilySearch, a non-profit genealogical organization, provide access to indexed records and other helpful resources for tracing Scottish ancestry.