National Records of Scotland relaunches ScotlandsPeople

The ScotlandsPeople family history website has been relaunched with a new look and a number of new features.

National Records of Scotland (NRS) operates the new ScotlandsPeople site, taking over from Findmypast, which ran the previous website for 14 years. 

For the first time, users can now search statutory record indexes including birth, death and marriage certificates for free – charges are only made for the downloading of record images. The cost for 30 credits has risen by 50p to £7.50 and this will enable customers to buy five images at £1.50 each. NRS says the new charging structure allows free access to the indexes for everyone.

The new site also features an improved web design that allows researchers to access ScotlandsPeople across digital devices, and an enhanced search function. 

NRS Chief Executive Tim Ellis said: ‘ScotlandsPeople is internationally recognised as the place to start any personal journey into Scottish ancestry. At National Records of Scotland, we’re excited about the new site and look forward to helping both budding and expert genealogists to find out even more about their heritage.’ 

NRS is undertaking customer relations in-house for the first time and technical support is now provided by CACI Limited.

Jay Verkler, CEO of Findmypast Limited, said: ‘Since the launch of Scotlandspeople back in 2002, Findmypast and NRS have helped millions of people learn more about their Scottish heritage and the service has garnered acclaim from genealogists from all around the world. We wish NRS every success in the future.’