Scotland Counties

 County Changes Made in 1974 

In 1974 the British government reorganized the counties of Scotland. Twelve areas called  regions  were created from the original thirty-four counties.

These changes should not seriously affect genealogical research, but be aware of the following issues:


 * Current maps show the new boundaries.


 * Current addresses are located in the new counties. The addresses use the current county structure.


 * If you are looking for a parish, city, or regional office that houses records, you will need to know the current address and the areas covered by the repository.

You should still begin with the pre-1974 county name when you start your genealogical research. Below is a list of the old        counties with the new county(ies) they are primarily a part of. Click on an old county name to see a list of historic parishes, with further links to information on parish records.