Library Resources
The society has a library containing books and documents listed below. Members only, who are logged-in via the Members link on the Home page, may request research or similar assistance using the library by clicking on the envelope symbol next to the title. Local members may also borrow books between meetings and reviews for other members will be welcome.
Family Histories | ||
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| "McWhirters of Colmonell – Genesis and Exodus." by Douglas A McWhirter, published by Stewart Publishing & Printing, Ontario, 2010 |  | A member of the Society, Douglas McWhirter has published this handsome book on the background to his family, and has kindly donated a copy to the Society’s Library. Linked as it is to the McWhirter family, this book nevertheless provides a comprehensive setting for any 18th century Ayrshire family. The many forms and spellings of the name in the records are mirrored in other families – even Brown is variously spelled in the records as Brun, Broun, Broune, Browne as well as Brown – and the background information on the Church records, schooling and farm life is relevant to any family with roots in Ayrshire. Douglas’ earliest identified ancestor, Andrew McWhirter,was born about 1700; his son John and his wife Jean Sloan had eight children between 1771 and 1782 born at various farms in the centre of the parish. Movement between farms was an indication that John was a farm labourer, and he was followed in this occupation by both his sons and daughter who married farm employees. Although no record remains of the home life of the McWhirters, an indication of their probable home life, diet, dress and language is given, drawn from a variety of sources. The improvements in communications, first to the roads in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, then with coming of the railway to Ayrshire in the mid 19th century, made a big difference to life in the Ayrshire country parish. In the large families common at that time, the eldest son normally inherited the tenancy of the farm from his father, leaving the younger sons to earn their living by other means – miller, stone-dyker, shepherd – or to seek their fortune overseas. Gilbert McWhirter, a great grandson of Andrew McWhirter, emigrated to New South Wales in 1855 and David McWhirter, another great grandson settled in Ontario about the same time. Brief descriptions of their early lives in their new continents are given. The final chapter gives some instances of honours and distinctions gained by family members, including the rare Edward Medal (First Class) for conspicuous gallantry awarded to David McWhirter for his bravery in rescuing a steeplejack from the top of a 180ft chimney in July 1909. ISBN 978-1-897486-14-6 Andrew Dinwoodie |
Location History | ||
| "Barbieston – The Story of an Ayrshire Hamlet." by Jean F. Stoddart | | Donated to the Society by the author, one of our members, this booklet is an excellent example of how personal family history can be incorporated into the wider context of time and place. Jean introduces the hamlet, in the parish of Coylton, by describing the prehistoric origins, the influence of the Church, the Baronies, the changes brought about by the 18th century Agricultural Revolution and improvements to the transport system which applied across Ayrshire. A description of rural life in the Drumsuie estate from the 16th century has been compiled from a variety of sources, with personal information relating to the estate obtained from Old Parish Registers, Kirk Session Minutes, Census records, Valuation Rolls and other statutory records. The inhabitants of the various dwellings, East and West Drumsuie, Barbieston, Murdochston, Cloquhairnan, Drumquill, McHoulston, Pettoch, Milmannoch and Cairnston farms and the cottages at Old Carnell, Roseneath, Pansy, Barbieston, Cloquhairnan, Carnell Knowe and Devonia are recorded from the 1841 census onward, in most cases with a wealth of detail about the buildings and family activities. Finally, family trees are included for the Marr, Campbell, Paterson, and Wilson families associated with the hamlet, and some photographs of people and places taken between ~1890 and 2002. Andrew Dinwoodie |
| "Scotland’s Rural Past – Community Archaeology in Action." published by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. | | Over the last five years, volunteers have taken part in 65 projects throughout Scotland to document rapidly disappearing historic rural settlements. The Scotland’s Rural Past project has the aim ‘to improve the understanding and valuing of, and caring for, Scotland’s historic rural settlements for the wide benefit of present and future generations’. Local people of all ages and backgrounds were trained in fieldwork and recording techniques, and thirty of the projects have contributed articles to this publication, including the North Ayrshire Mills Project. Further details may be found at www.scotlandsruralpast.org.uk Andrew Dinwoodie |
Research | ||
| "Births and Baptism Records for Family Historians." by Stuart A. Raymond, published by The Family History Partnership | | This small book is the first in a series of three under the overall heading of “Vital Records for Family Historians”, books 2 and 3 covering marriage records and death and burial records respectively. It covers possible sources of information regarding births and baptisms throughout the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands, and although only three pages are devoted to Scottish records, the wealth of information on offer here will be a useful and welcome guide both to those just starting along the family history trail and those who have been on it for a longer time and who have exhausted the most immediate possibilities. Each chapter clearly identifies sources of possible information, stating clearly where and how these can be accessed, either on the internet or in libraries or archive centres, and the extent of the information each can provide. Frequently useful books for further reading on particular topics are included at the end of a chapter. At a discount price lower than the quoted £4.50, these three booklets will be a good acquisition for Family History Societies and for individuals eager to have such a compendium of source material at their finger tips. Sheila Dinwoodie |
| "Researching Scottish Family History." by Chris Paton, published by The Family History Partnership | | Chris Paton’s new book, designed as a beginner’s guide for tracing Scottish ancestors, is very friendly, informative and well illustrated. He explores the many sets of basic resources currently available both online and in the nation’s various archives that are necessary for tracing your ancestors. It starts with asking the family for information, how to record your research, and places where to look: General Register House, Regional Archives, Family History Centres, Old Parish Registers, Kirk Session Records, Censuses in Scotland and many more sources of information. He also offers some very useful tips. A great buy for any beginner and excellent value at £7.95. B. Finlay |
| "Researching Scottish Graveyards." by Bruce Bishop, published by SAFHS, 2010 | | This booklet is a useful introduction to its topic, giving brief descriptions of the different historical backgrounds, types and architecture of graveyards. More detailed discussion follows of the different types of tombstone, scripts and symbols. Finally, advice is given on recording monumental inscriptions, on cleaning, drawing, and photographing stones, and the preparation of site plans: the special requirements of recording buried tombstones are given in some detail. Of general interest to a family historian, this booklet is a worthwhile addition to the background knowledge that ‘puts flesh on the bones’ of our ancestors. ISBN 978-1-874722-22-9 Price £4.50 Andrew Dinwoodie |
| "Scottish Family History on the Web." 3rd edition, by Stuart A. Raymond, published by The Family History Partnership | | As we are all aware, more and more family history information is finding its way on to the internet. Although the internet can be helpful, there can be frustration if you cannot find the website for which you are searching. This book is intended to identify those websites which are most likely to be relevant to our family history research and covers both national ones (as Scotland’s People) and local ones (such as local family history societies). It offers both a subject index and a place index. The book is split into fifteen chapters covering a wide range of subjects relevant to family history and genealogy. These include chapters on Births, Marriages and Deaths, and the Census. Also included are chapters on such topics as Discussion groups, Maps and Occupational Information. In some, the particular website is listed by county, which means that the reader can go directly to the county of interest. Readers should be aware that the websites mentioned in this book were correct AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION. G. Savage |
| "Tracing your Family History" by Anthony Adolph, published by Collins, 2007 | | This is a readable and well-illustrated introduction. The book gives details of many basic sources such as Birth, Marriage and Death certificates and what can be found on them. It mentions the differences between English and Scottish records noting the much greater information given on the latter. Occasional case studies are given, e.g. Joanna Lumley, David Jason, etc. The second half of the book gives hints and further sources which are available for military, immigration, emigration, occupations, religious groups, introduction to DNA techniques, and so on. This leads to suggestions for ways to research the world our ancestors lived in rather than just the basic dates of their lives. ISBN 978-0-00-782090-0 Price £9.99 Pat Weston |