The SCOTTISH GENEALOGY SOCIETY (SCIO)


Edinburgh's Family History Centre

The Family History Centre is located at 15 Victoria Terrace in Edinburgh, and is a valuable resource for anyone interested in researching Scottish family and local history.

Founded in 1953 and established as a SCIO (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) in 2024, the Society is managed by volunteers dedicated to offering support throughout the research process. They extend a warm welcome to members and visitors alike without the need for prior booking.

For those interested in visiting, please scroll down to view the library's opening times.


Additionally, we have an online members area and an online shop where memberships and over 800 publications can be purchased to assist with research.


Information regarding the Society's path to becoming a SCIO can be found here




Upcoming Events

If you're looking to engage further, the Society hosts various events, classes, and talks, many of which are available on zoom.

Our full list of classes, talks and events can be found on our Calendar


Thu09Oct

Family History Class for Beginners Week 3

Thu 09 Oct, 2025 PM 7:00 — Thu 09 Oct, 2025 PM 9:00 (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London   
Event summary
This six-week Zoom course, tutored by Ken Nisbet, will look at the sources that are available both online and offline to help you start researching your Scottish family history. Importantly, we will also research other sources such as employment, military service, appearance in local newspapers, education, etc. Ken will also explain how to put the acquired information together to give an account of your relatives’ lives. The course is priced at £50; classes will all take place on Thursdays at 7...
Event details

Week 3: Church records and where to find them 

Investigating the various kinds of records that exist – parish registers and kirk sessions, as well as examining how the Church of Scotland split and then reunited, and the effect it had on its records. We will also look at Roman Catholic Church records - what they are and where to find them. 

To book this class please click the link below:

A beginners course in researching your Scottish Family History

  • Time
    Thu 09 Oct, 2025 PM 7:00 — Thu 09 Oct, 2025 PM 9:00
    (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
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Thu16Oct

Family History Class for Beginners Week 4

Thu 16 Oct, 2025 PM 7:00 — Thu 16 Oct, 2025 PM 9:00 (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London   
Event summary
This six-week Zoom course, tutored by Ken Nisbet, will look at the sources that are available both online and offline to help you start researching your Scottish family history. Importantly, we will also research other sources such as employment, military service, appearance in local newspapers, education, etc. Ken will also explain how to put the acquired information together to give an account of your relatives’ lives. The course is priced at £50; classes will all take place on Thursdays at 7...
Event details

Week 4: Education and employment records 

What records we can find on our ancestors’ schooling and further education; if they went to university; what employment records can be found online/offline; government employment, trade union records, railway, shipping & nursing etc; also a look at how to research industrial accidents. 

To book please click the link below:

A beginners course in researching your Scottish Family History

  • Time
    Thu 16 Oct, 2025 PM 7:00 — Thu 16 Oct, 2025 PM 9:00
    (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
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Mon20Oct

Talk on 10 Scotland Street - an Opinionated History of One House Over Two Centuries by Leslie Hills

Mon 20 Oct, 2025 PM 7:30 — Mon 20 Oct, 2025 PM 9:00 (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London    15 Victoria Terrace Edinburgh United Kingdom
Event summary
This talk is free to members, non-members are welcome to attend for a small donation. If you are a member and would like to attend this on zoom, please email meetings@scotsgenealogy.com. If you would like to watch the zoom talk at the Society, 15 Victoria Terrace please let us know by email.
  • Time
    Mon 20 Oct, 2025 PM 7:30 — Mon 20 Oct, 2025 PM 9:00
    (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
  • Location

    15 Victoria Terrace Edinburgh United Kingdom

The Scottish Genealogy Society Family History Centre
Scottish Genealogy Society
Thu23Oct

Family History Class for Beginners Week 5

Thu 23 Oct, 2025 PM 7:00 — Thu 23 Oct, 2025 PM 9:00 (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London   
Event summary
This six-week Zoom course, tutored by Ken Nisbet, will look at the sources that are available both online and offline to help you start researching your Scottish family history. Importantly, we will also research other sources such as employment, military service, appearance in local newspapers, education, etc. Ken will also explain how to put the acquired information together to give an account of your relatives’ lives. The course is priced at £50; classes will all take place on Thursdays at 7...
Event details

Week 5: Military records from 17 to 20 Century 

Looking at what records are available and what they can tell us about our relatives’ service history. 

To book please click the link below:

A beginners course in researching your Scottish Family History

  • Time
    Thu 23 Oct, 2025 PM 7:00 — Thu 23 Oct, 2025 PM 9:00
    (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
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Fri24Oct

Family History Fair 2025

Fri 24 Oct, 2025 AM 11:30 — Fri 24 Oct, 2025 PM 5:00 (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London    George IV Bridge United Kingdom
Event summary
We are taking part in this event at the Edinburgh Central Library, George Washington Browne Room.
  • Time
    Fri 24 Oct, 2025 AM 11:30 — Fri 24 Oct, 2025 PM 5:00
    (UTC+00:00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London
  • Location

    George IV Bridge United Kingdom

Edinburgh Central Library
01

Library Opening Times

Monday 10.30am to 4pm

Tuesday 10.30am to 4pm

Wednesday 2.30pm to 7.00pm  

Thursday 10.30am to 4pm

Saturday 10am to 2pm 

02

Online Shop

Visit our online shop to purchase a membership or one of our many publications.

03

Classes

We run a programme of Classes throughout the year.  Many of our Classes are held on zoom.  The Classes can be booked through our Shop.

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© 2025 Scottish Genealogy Society (SCIO) 


Contact Us

Phone:

0131 220 3677

Email address:

enquiries@scotsgenealogy.com

Address:
15 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL


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