GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - Scottish Indexes, genealogical and historical records website, has added over 133,000 High Court records to their online indexes, making it easier than ever to find out about your criminal ancestors, including those who were transported during the Victorian period. (Search here: www.scottishindexes.com/scotlandscriminaldatabase.aspx)
The High Court (officially “The High Court of the Justiciary”) heard a great variety of cases, including all the more serious crimes but also repeat offenders of lesser crimes. In Victorian Scotland, only the High Court had the authority to sentence people to transportation, so if you are looking for Scottish convicts this is the website for you. The surviving records are very detailed and include fascinating witness statements and descriptions of the crimes.
Graham Maxwell, genealogist at Scottish Indexes, says, “We love working with these records because they give so much detail. We have even come across an outline of the accused’s foot! Where else could we find such amazing records about our ancestors?”
To help you get the most out of these records, Scottish Indexes have also added new how-to guides to their Learning Zone, which include examples of the records and also video tutorials. The quick guide gives you an overview (https://www.scottishindexes.com/learninghighcourt.aspx) or you can dig a little deeper with the advanced guide (https://www.scottishindexes.com/learninghighcourtadvanced.aspx). Emma Maxwell, genealogist at Scottish Indexes, says, “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to find their Scottish heritage, whether your family left Scotland on a convict ship or stayed here in Scotland, these records can help you to find out more about the lives of your ancestors.”
Scottish Indexes is a genealogy and historical records website, providing free high-quality indexes to over 700,000 historical records, from paternity records to criminal records, property records and health records. The ever-expanding Learning Zone has easy to follow guides to help you trace your Scottish ancestors in a variety of records, both online and offline.
(With thanks to Emma Maxwell)
Chris
For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.
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