VisitShetland

Genealogy

Tracing your Shetland roots

Crofthouse Museum

Shetland has exported a range of famous products for centuries: wool, lamb and knitwear, fish, ponies and in more recent years, oil. But by far the most important, but perhaps less obvious of these, is people.

Over the centuries, many reasons have forced or persuaded people to leave their homeland. Many left during the Clearances, either because of poverty, the temptations of travel and reports from relatives overseas of an enriched life.

Thus, the Sons and Daughters of Shetland can be found all over the world, linking a network across the seas and continents. Notably, a high population gathered in the faraway lands of New Zealand and Australia forming ex-patriot groups known as Shetland Societies. Gatherings of these Societies have prompted a series of very successful homecomings or 'Hamefarins' to Shetland in 1960, 1985 and 2000.

Tracing your family history, you may discover the tree is longer than you think...

Who can help?

If you are of Shetland family descent, tracing and investigating your family roots can be a reasonably straightforward process.

Several organisations can assist:

Shetland Family History Society now has members from all over the world. The Society collects copies of Church and Parish records, censuses and family trees. A list of all tombstones in Shetland has been recorded and is now available. The Society can provide information on all other local history groups for further research.

Shetland Library has a domain dedicated to distinct and diverse Shetland literature. Shetland Museum provides an interesting insight into old Shetland life, and they have a large photographic library.

Shetland Archives is guardian to an abundance of original previous documents clasping much of Shetland's history. In addition, copies of crucial documents stored in other archives are kept here.

Where to begin

Start tracing your family history with a good brainstorming session. Note down as much of your family tree you know is fact, but keep note of links and connections requiring further investigation: places of birth; area of abode; schools attended; local community involvement, and so on. The most useful initial reference resource is obviously your close family and relatives. Interview them on the history of your heritage, filling in any gaps you were unaware of. The picture you will build is a factual base for your to start your investigation, with query routes to analyse.

When you have a factual base to further research, seeking advise from the professionals is simple and straightforward. The initial contact should be the Shetland Family History Society. Dealing with similar requests every day, they can assist you trace your family tree, and advise what steps to take if you wish to search further.

Of course, a visit to Shetland is the ideal illustration of Shetland life, past and present. If you wish to visit Shetland, whether it be to call on old family crofts and homes, areas, schools, or to simply have a real Shetland experience, our Visitor Services team are only too happy to help advise you in planning your trip.

Welcome Home.

Useful Addresses

Shetland Family History Society
Mrs Elizabeth Angus
6 Hillhead, Lerwick,
Shetland,
ZE1 0EJ.

Tel: 00 44 1595 692 276
www.shetland-fhs.org.uk

Shetland Library
Lower Hillhead
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0EL.

Tel: 00 44 1595 693 868
www.shetland-library.gov.uk

Shetland Museum & Archives
Hay's Dock
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0WP

Tel: 00 44 1595 695 057
http://www.shetland-museum.org.uk/

Shetland Islands Council, Archives
44 King Harald Street
Lerwick
Shetland

Tel: 00 44 1595 696 247
Email: archives@sic.shetland.gov.uk

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