South Ayrshire Resources
The local historian covering South Ayrshire is Jeanette Castle , her email address is on the main page and her address is ;
Jeanette Castle
Carnegie Librarian
The Baird Institute
Carnegie Library
12 Main Street
Ayr
Scotland
KA8 8ED
Tel: 01292 286385
The Scottish & Local History Library
OLD PARISH RECORDS
Microfilm copies of the Parish Registers for all towns and villages in Ayrshire are available. They were kept by parish ministers before the introduction of compulsory civil registration in 1855, listing births, deaths and marriages
CENSUS RECORDS
Microfilm copies for Ayrshire 1841-1891 are available for consultation
INTERNATIONAL GENEALOGICAL INDEX
The IGI is available on microfiche
MICROFILM / FICHE READERS PRINTERS
There are three Microfilm Readers/Printers available for public use. These can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance. Charges are made for photocopies
TRADE DIRECTORIES
Directories for some Ayrshire towns are available but the collection particularly relates to Ayr and the surrounding districts
VOTERS ROLLS (ELECTORAL ROLLS / REGISTERS)
A complete run of Voters` Rolls for Burgh of Ayr, dating from 1892, is held in the library. From 1975 to 1996 there is a complete set for Kyle and Carrick District and now South Ayrshire
VALUATION ROLLS
Valuation Rolls for Ayrshire 1899-1942 (excluding Ayr and Kilmarnock Burghs), Ayr Burgh from 1906-1974 and Kyle and Carrick from 1975-1996 and now South Ayrshire
MAPS
An extensive collection of maps covering Ayrshire is held in the library. The maps date from around 1600
PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION
Over the years the department has amassed a collection of photographs and postcards which gives a valuable insight into the Ayrshire towns and villages in the past and present
COPYING SERVICES
Copies of material may be obtained in the forms of photocopies subject to copyright restrictions, and on payment of the current charges, which are available on request
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Ayr Burgh Records
The Burns Collection
The Galt Collection
This is by no means a complete list of what the department has to offer; also held are
Monumental Inscriptions
Sasines
Confirmation of Wills
COMPUTERS
There are two new PCs available for Local and Family History research, CD Roms are available to consult, and there is special family history software on these machines to heLp customers record their research.
Internet access is available and our web site includes many useful links of interest to the family and local historian.
A viewing and listening station is also available to enable users to view vidoes and listen to oral history tapes
SHOP
Visitors to the Scottish and Local History are reminded that there is a well stocked shop in the library which sells a variety of local and family history publications, as well as general Scottish history for adults and children. If you are visiting us for the day, remember too that there is an excellent Coffee Shop in the Reference Library, selling a variety of hot and cold drinks and snacks