Genealogy Centre

Update: 20 November 2023

Please note bookings for the Genealogy Centre can now only be made up to 8 weeks in advance.  This applies to Saturday bookings also.

We continue to experience issues with customers not turning up for their booked appointment.

Whilst we appreciate that circumstances may change last minute, we are unable to offer spaces to anyone else unless the appointment is  cancelled.

Please arrange to cancel your booking in advance if you are unable to attend on the day.

We appreciate and fully understand that our clients who regularly use and access the centre, along with new visitors are frustrated with the reduced new opening times, however as the Family History Centre is a non-statutory service this is not a priority and unfortunately given other statutory elements of the work that we carry out, we are currently not in a position to open any other days at this time.

On occasion there may be last minute spaces available to book on the day.  You would need to visit the centre in person from 9.30am to request a space.  Please note however there is no guarantee that any spaces will be available.

We appreciate your continued support.

The centre is now open Monday and Tuesdays only.  We will also be open one Saturday per month, with the exception of Public Holidays.

Spaces will be by strict appointment only and bookings can be made by calling 0141 287 7655. Saturday booking information is available below.

Please note we are receiving an exceptionally high volume of emails at this time so it is advisable to book by phone and please also refer to the information on this page for details about our service.

Glasgow City Council now operates a cashless system. Payment on the day can be made by Debit or Credit card only.  Apple pay is also available.

We look forward to welcoming back all of our regular and new visitors to the centre and thank you for your continued patience and support.

What is it?

Researching your family tree is now easier in Glasgow. You can now use the ScotlandsPeople system to search millions of Scottish records at our Genealogy Centre.

Where is the Genealogy Centre?

The Genealogy Centre is located at:-

Fifth floor
Mitchell Library
North Street 
Glasgow

The facility is run by Glasgow Registration Service.

This location will allow easier access to other resources available within the Mitchell Library that may be of interest to those searching their family history.

When is it open?

Hours of Opening are 9.30am - 4.00pm Monday and Tuesday only (except Public Holidays). 

The centre will also be open one Saturday per month (except Public Holidays) and bookings can be made for this using our enquiry form on this page.

Next Saturday dates  - 4 November; 2 December and 3 February

Please note there will no Saturday date in January 2024.  

How do I book an appointment?

Please telephone the Registrar's appointment line on 0141 287 7655.  The line is open Monday - Friday, 10am to 4pm.

Saturday bookings can be made by completing the enquiry form on this page.  Saturday dates will normally fall on the first Saturday of the month, with the exception of Public Holidays.

Next Saturday dates - 4 November; 2 December and 3 February.

How much does it cost?

The current fee per person is £15.00 per day or part thereof. Payment on the day can be made by Debit or Credit card only.  Apple pay is also available.

Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult to use the facilities in the Genealogy Centre.

Where a person is to be accompanied by a carer, the carer will be admitted free of charge to provide assistance. Please contact the centre for further information.

The system in operation is one whereby the client has to do all the research by themselves. The member of staff in attendance will demonstrate how to use and make the most of the facilities available for use. Please note the more accurate background information that you have the more likely it is that you will succeed in your research.

What records/sources are available?

We are happy to bring the Scotland's People package to our Genealogy Centre as part of our working partnership with National Records of Scotland.

Please be aware that computer access in our centre is for Scotlandspeople use only-no other websites will be available during your visit. 

On arrival you will be allocated a computer station for your own exclusive use.

Available records include:-

• Statutory Birth, Death & Marriage Records for the whole of Scotland (1855 - present)
• Civil Partnership records (2005 - present)
• Scottish Divorces (Index only) (1984 - present)
• Old Parochial Records (1553 - 1854)
• Census including Street indexes (1841 - 1921)
• Catholic Registers
• Wills and Testaments (1513-1925)
• Soldiers Wills (1857-1966)
• Valuation Rolls
• Military Tribunals (1916-1918)

Other Resources Available

The Mitchell Library is one of Glasgow Life's iconic venues, providing lending, reference and archival materials across all subject areas including many records and resources to support the family historian. These materials are concentrated in the Family History Centre and the City Archives on level 5 of The Mitchell. We work in partnership with Glasgow Life to offer family history researchers one-stop shop access to a vast array of resources to discover how your Scottish ancestors lived their lives. Our web-link provided below will give you more information on our opening hours and how to access our services.

Please note Archives is currently closed on a Monday.

http://www.glasgowfamilyhistory.org.uk/