Argyll and Bute

genealogy Research in Argyll and Bute, Scotland

Scotland is a great place to do family history research because of the country's large number of archives, libraries and other repositories. A variety of records can also be found locally at registry offices, courthouses, public libraries, historical societies and elsewhere. Websites like Ancestry.com, Findmypast, ScotlandsPeople, and FamilySearch also provide access to many unique online databases relating to Scottish genealogy.

In addition to these great resources, we have compiled a large number of links that should prove helpful to your search. Many of these are listed below and on our other pages relating to all parts of Scotland. If you would like a professional genealogist to help you with your quest, please click below.

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archives and libraries

Argyll, Scotland Libraries
Argyll & Bute Council Family History Archives
Argyll, Scotland Archives and Libraries
The British Library - London, UK
The National Archives of the UK - Kew, UK
National Library of Scotland - Edinburgh, UK
National Records of Scotland - Edinburgh, UK
Scottish Genealogy Society - Edinburgh, UK

biographies

Biography of Archibald Campbell, 1st Marquis of Argyll
Biography Online - Famous Scottish People
The Earls of Argyll - The University of Edinburgh
An Enlightened Duke: New Biography of Archibald, 3rd Duke of Argyll
FamilySearch - Scotland Biography
National Library of Scotland - Biographical Dictionary of Eminent Scotsman
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography - Scots and Scotland
Torquhil Campbell, 13th Duke of Argyll - Wikipedia
Undiscovered Scotland - Biographical Index
Undiscovered Scotland - Elizabeth Tollemache, Duchess of Argyll

cemeteries

Billion Graves - Argyll, Scotland
Cemeteries and Burial Grounds in Argyll & Bute, Scotland
Cyndi's List - Cemeteries & Funeral Homes in Scotland
FamilySearch - Scotland Cemeteries
Find A Grave - Find a Grave in Scotland
Findmypast - Scotland Billion Graves Cemetery Index
Interment.net - Scotland Cemetery Records
National Records of Scotland - Deaths and Burials
WorldCat.org - Scotland, Argyll, Argyll Cemeteries

census records

FamilySearch - Scotland Census
GENUKI - Scotland Census
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Coll Censuses
The National Archives of the UK - Census Records
National Library of Scotland - Census Records
National Records of Scotland - Census Records
Scotland's Census - History of the Census
ScotlandsPeople - Census Returns
Tiree Censuses - Argyll, Scotland

church records

The Church of Scotland - Historical Records
GENUKI - Church Records in Scotland
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Churches in Tiree & Coll
National Records of Scotland - Church Records
Origin Scotland Church Directory
Scotland Church Records - FamilySearch

court records

FamilySearch - Scotland Court Records
Findmypast - Scotland Court & Criminal Database
National Records of Scotland - Crime and Criminals
Scottish Courts - Court Records

directories

Ancestry.com - UK City and County Directories
FamilySearch - Scotland Directories
National Library of Scotland - Directories
National Library of Scotland - Scottish Post Office Directories
The Scottish Genealogy Society - Directories

emigration records

A Brief History of Emigration & Immigration in Scotland
FamilySearch - Scotland Emigration and Immigration
GenGuide - Emigration Records
Glasgow Family History - Emigration, Immigration and Migration
Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Emigration in the 1800s
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Emigrant Ships
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Emigrant Stories
Library and Archives Canada - Scottish Genealogy and Family History
Library of Congress - Sources for Research in Scottish Genealogy: Emigration
The National Archives of the UK - Emigration and Emigrants
National Library of Scotland - Emigration and Passenger Lists
National Museum of Scotland - Scots and Emigration 1800 - 1950
National Records of Scotland - Emigration Records
ScotlandsPeople - Emigration and Immigration
Scottish Archive Network - Emigration Records
The Scottish Genealogy Society - Scottish Emigration
Scottish Emigration to America
University of Aberdeen - Scottish Emigration Database
Why Did Highlanders of Argyll Emigrate to America, 1725-1775? – Exploring the UK, Europe and Russia

estate files

Ancestry.com - Scottish Calendar of Confirmations
The Argyll Papers at Inveraray Castle - Scottish Local History Forum
FamilySearch - Scotland Estate Records
Mygov.scot - Finding a Will
The National Archives of the UK - Wills and Administrations after 1858
National Library of Scotland - Estate Papers
National Records of Scotland - Wills and Testaments
Records of Glenreasdale Estate, Argyll & Bute, Scotland - Archives Hub
Scottish Courts - Estate Records
Scottish Land and Estates - Document Library
ScotlandsPeople - Inventories of Estates

heraldry records

The Armorial Register - International Register of Arms
Court of the Lord Lyon - Edinburgh, UK
Facts about Heraldry in Scotland - Scots Connection
The Heraldry Society of Scotland - Edinburgh, UK
Heraldry of the World - Argyll, Scotland
Heraldry of the World - Coat of Arms (crest) of Argyll and Bute
Introduction to Scottish Heraldry - Scotlans
Public Register of Arms - National Records of Scotland
Scotland's Heraldry - Scottish Tartans Authority
ScotlandsPeople - Coats of Arms
Scottish Armory and Heraldry - Clan Campbell Society of North America
Scottish Heraldry - Wikipedia.org

history

maps

GENUKI - Argyll, Scotland Maps
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Isle of Coll Map
Old Maps - Argyll, Scotland
ScotlandsPlaces - Argyll County, Scotland Maps

military records

Army Museums Ogilby Trust
Casualty Forms - Home
Commonweath War Graves - Argyll, Scotland
Ministry of Defence - GOV.UK
National Records of Scotland - Soldiers' and Airmen's Wills
Roll of Honour - Argyllshire - War Memorial Selection
Scotland's War - Argyll & Bute's War
The Society for Army Historical Research

municipalities

GENUKI - Argyllshire, Scotland Towns and Parishes

newspapers

The British Newspaper Archive
Cyndi's List - UK & Ireland Newspapers
Findmypast - British Newspapers
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Articles in Old Newspapers
Isle of Coll Genealogy - The Coll Magazine
National Library of Scotland - Newspapers Collections
National Library of Scotland - Newspapers Online
Newspapers.com - Scotland
Scotsman Digital Archive - Argyll, Scotland

obituaries

Findmypast - Death Reports & Obituaries
Funeral Notices - Argyll, Scotland
The Herald - Death Notices & Obituaries
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Obituaries and Personal Notices
Natives of Isle of Mull, Scotland
Obits Index - Scotland
The Scotsman - Obituaries

photographs

Isle of Coll Genealogy - Coll Photo Galleries
DarkIsle.com - Scotland Castles, Cairns and Celtic Music
Historic Environment Scotland - National Collection of Aerial Photography
National Galleries of Scotland - The MacKinnon Collection
National Library of Scotland - Photographs in the Collections
National Records of Scotland - Image Gallery
Photographs of Scottish Castles and Manor Houses
ScotlandsPlaces - Argyll County, Scotland Photographs
Scottish Highlander Photo Archive

property records

FamilySearch - Scotland Land and Property Search
Land Register of Scotland - Land and Property Information
Land Searches Scotland - Land Registers and Conveyancing Searches
National Records of Scotland - Deeds
National Records of Scotland - Sasines
Registers of Scotland - Scotland's Land and Property Registers
Scottish Genealogy Society - Land Records

school records

FamilySearch - Scotland School Records
GenGuide - School Records for the UK and Ireland

societies

The Clan Lachlan Association of Canada
The Clan MacLachlan Association of North America, Inc.
The Clan MacLachlan Society of Australia Clan MacLachlan Society of New Zealand
FamilySearch - Scotland Societies
Findmypast - Scottish Association of Family History Societies
Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society
Highland Family History Center - Iverness, Scotland
Lochaber and North Argyll Family History Group
National Library of Scotland - Historical Clubs and Societies
National Museums Scotland
New England Historic Genealogical Society - Argyll, Scotland
The Scottish Association of Family Histories Societies
The Scottish Genealogy Society - Edinburgh, UK
Society of Antiquaries of Scotland - Genealogy and Ancestry
The Western USA Branch of the Clan MacLachlan Society

tax records

FamilySearch - Scotland Taxation
The National Archives of the UK - Records of Taxation
National Records of Scotland - Taxation Records
ScotlandsPlaces - Historical Tax Rolls
The Scottish Genealogy Society - Taxation Records

vital records

Details List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland - Great Britain. General Register Office (Scotland)
Isle of Coll Genealogy - Births, Baptisms & Marriages
FamilySearch - Scotland Civil Registration
The National Archives of the UK - Births, Marriages and Deaths in Scotland and Ireland
National Library of Scotland - Records of Births, Deaths and Marriages
National Records of Scotland - Birth, Death, & Marriage Records
National Records of Scotland - Deaths and Burials
ScotlandsPeople - Statutory Register of Births

Scottish Council Areas

Many Scottish family records can be found online and at various archives and libraries located throughout the United Kingdom. Many millions of records aren't yet available online, though, and many of these are awaiting your discovery at the local level at courthouses, historical societies, churches, council offices, cemeteries, and elsewhere in Scotland. To find these and other records, click on the links below to find more information about the specific counties where your ancestors lived in Scotland. You'll find information on these pages that will lead you to the specific documentation you're searching for.

It is important to keep in mind when doing research that the names and boundaries of certain areas in Scotland have changed over the past few hundred years. Your ancestors may have lived on a certain farm in one county and when borders were redrawn records relating to your family history might have been located in another area entirely. When searching for land, court, tax, and other records it is also a good idea to search for these records in adjacent areas. Following is a complete list of Scotland's 32 council areas along with their formation dates, county seats, and names of parent counties.