Frequently Asked Questions

What information can I add to the database?
Does the certificate have to been an original?
Can I submit information gathered from LDS Family Search site?
Should I use the married or maiden name for a female death/burial?
How do I list the death of a woman who was married twice?
How can I submit information to the Scotland BDM Exchange?
I submitted my information prior to the last update and it doesn't appear listed - why not?
What do I do when I find a record I'm interested in?
I have changed my email address - how can I update it?
What records are available for Scotland?
What other resources are available on the internet?

What information can I add to the database?
Information that is transcribed from original sources, eg. certificates and church records.

Does the certificate have to been an original?
No, you can include details from photocopies, transcriptions and microfiche copy.

Can I submit information gathered from LDS Family Search site?
No, this is not an original source.

Should I use the married or maiden name for a female death/burial?
Use whichever name is listed on the certificate. There is provision in both areas for parent's names, even if it's only the married name you know.

How do I list the death of a woman who was married twice?
As deaths are recorded under the married name, the first marriage would not normally rate a mention. In this instance, you can submit your information twice, using both married names, eg. STEWART (Cooper) and COOPER (Stewart).

How can I submit information to the Scotland BDM Exchange?
To submit information from certificates you hold, go to the submission form and follow the guidelines. If you have numerous entries, contact me and we can discuss submission by .xls, .doc file or similar.

I submitted my information prior to the last update and it doesn't appear listed - why not?
Births, deaths, baptisms and burials are generally added to the database each day. Marriages and banns may take a little longer, as I make sure each of these entries are listed under the bride and groom. Another reason would be if a vital area of the submission form was left blank, I have no choice but to exclude it, eg. I have received some with no email contact or the date is blank (which indicates your information is not from an original source).

What do I do when I find a record I'm interested in?
Contact the person relevant to the information listed. It is then up to the two of you to arrange the exchange of information.

I have changed my email address - how can I update it?
Click here to update your email link and I will make the necessary changes.

What records are available for Scotland?
Birth, Death and Marriage Certificates have been available since Civil Registration began on 1st January 1855. Church registers began c.1537 and contain Baptisms, Marriages (Banns) and Burials.

What other resources are available on the internet?
There are 100's of sites containing links for Scottish research, but by far the most comprehensive is Cyndi's List - Scotland