where to start research ? need help

[rick]

My grandfather was born in Saltcoats in we believe around 1885. I'm bringing my father, his son to Saltcoats next month and don't know where to start looking for any family history. Can anyone please advise. Thanks so very much!

[Hughie]

Welcome to threetowners, Rick. There is a good guide for those starting on family research in Ayrshire on the following page http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~sctayr/howto.html

If you could give a name and any other relevant details, I'm sure one of our members would be able to lend a hand in pointing you in the right direction. Good luck in your quest.

[VivAyrshire]

My grandfather was born in Saltcoats in we believe around 1885. I'm bringing my father, his son to Saltcoats next month and don't know where to start looking for any family history. Can anyone please advise. Thanks so very much!

The wee museum - the Ayrshire north heritage museum is a place full of information, and quite helpful staff too. They have all kinds of stuff, including newspapers from the Ardrossan + Saltcoats Herald going WAAAAYYY back on microfiche. If you could get there at all, it could be very helpful. Near Saltcoats Post Office !!

[Richard]

rick,
Just to add to Viv' suggestion, I don't know how North Ayrshire Heritage works, If you can just walk in off
the street and get access to their microfiche etc ?
So it might be a good idea to give them a quick call to find out their opening times (In relation to when
you plan on visiting) and find out If you have to make an appointment etc, especially If they are going to be
busy with tourists/day trippers etc.
It would also be a good idea to know EXACTLY what it is you want to find out.
Knowing that, will dictate where you should be looking because certain Records for Ayrshire are held also
at Ayr and/or Kilmarnock ? Other Records, such as Births,Marriages & Deaths are held in Edinburgh.
Hope this helps.

[VivAyrshire]

You can just walk in off the street !! I managed to find my own self in the newspapers (not in a bad way though!!).



It would still be a good idea to check on opening times, yes. I can't remember the exact times offhand.

[sweet caroline]

Going by the name Rick-Name: Richard Bell
Birth: abt 1885 - Saltcoats, Ayrshire
Residence: Ardrossan, Ayrshire
Name: Richard Scott
Birth: abt 1887 - Saltcoats, Ayrshire
Residence: Ardrossan, Ayrshire
Name: Richard Cleave
Birth: abt 1890 - Ayrshire, Saltcoats
Residence: Ardrossan, Ayrshire
Name: Richard Tumilty
Birth: abt 1885 - Ardrossan, Ayrshire
Residence: Saltcoats, Stevenston, Ayrshire
Name: Ritchie Cowan
Birth: abt 1880 - Saltcoats, Ayrshire
Residence: Ardrossan, Ayrshire

Edit-If your Grandfather married in Saltcoats or about the area "Scotlandspeople" online will have a marriage for him .Marriages shown until 1935 can be viewed.Both sets of parents will be on it ,and then you can work back from there.Address will also be shown ,so you can go lookabout.You can also view the 1911 Census on Scotlandspeople.Have a nice visit.

sweet caroline

[gwennypenny]

ive wasted credits and found nothing, no images came up for anyone.grandmother was born in 1924 but still no info to be had or found. I am a cowan as well.

[killiejok]

Using a standard login for Scotlandspeople you don't get images for births within the last 100 years, likewise no images for deaths within last 50 years, nor marriages within the last 75 years.

If you are local, then a visit to the Burns Monument Centre at Kilmarnock is very worth while. For a fee of £15 you get unlimited credits to Scotlandspeople records for a full days session. This allows you to view extracts to current year. Slight down side is you have to know year of birth or death as the search facility limits you to a five year window. Also you cant save the image but you can capture screen shots to a pen drive if you want an image.

[sheenaj]

Again if you gave us more info[surname] we may be able help you. Try http://www.ayrshire-roots.co.uk/ash.php This is the Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald data base .you will need to log in but it's free.and has quite a lot of info.

[sweet caroline]

Should think Ricks been and gone .

sweet caroline