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Simpson Launches New Website For Genealogy Enthusiasts

"By the end of 2003, Scotland will probably have the most complete online genealogical information source for any country in the world." Deputy Justice Minister, Dr Richard Simpson said today when he launched the new GROS website.

The website - which has been developed by GROS in partnership with Scotland On Line - provides full details of the statutory registers of births 1856-1901 and deaths 1856-1951 in Scotland as digital images.

The site will be developed further during 2003 by adding digital images of marriage registers, census returns and the Old Parish Registers of the Church of Scotland.

The images will also be available to customers in New Register House and in local registration offices.

Dr Simpson said:

"One of the world's fastest growing hobbies is tracing family trees.

"This new website means that worldwide people will be able to trace their family tree online and discover full details of when, where and how their ancestors were born and died, without having to leave the comfort of their own home."

"The opportunity for Scotland to benefit from this growth market is huge and a major opportunity to attract the estimated 28 million expatriate Scots and close descendants around the world to trace their roots and visit their origins."

Notes To News Editors

1. The website address is: http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.
2. Todays provision of birth and death registration images online, together with the earlier release of 1891 and 1901 census data, is part of the GROS's major Digital Imaging the Genealogical Records of the people of Scotland (DIGROS) project. This project will include the digital imaging of all the records held by the GROS including all open census records, statutory registers of births, marriages and deaths and parish registers of the Church of Scotland - some of which date from the 16th century. The project is due to be completed by the end of 2003 and will result in a uniquely comprehensive online resource, confirming the GROS's position as a leader in access to genealogical records wich began with the establishement of the Scots Origins website in 1998.
3. The GROS is an Associated Department of The Scottish Executive and forms part of the Scottish Administration. One of its functions is to make its genealogical database available to members of the public.