Genealogical sources in the University library
Most of our material relates particularly to St Andrews and North East Fife.
Sources on microfilm
The International Genealogical Index (or IGI) produced by the Genealogical Society of Utah ("The Mormon microfiche", 1988 ed.) is available in the Special Collections Reading Room. This includes details of baptisms and marriages and a small number of deaths taken from the Old Parish Registers.
Copies of the Census returns for Fife, 1841-1891 are held on microfilm (ms37863). In addition, the census returns for St Andrews, 1841-1861 have been transcribed and indexed.
Manuscript sources
Church records
These are held here under charge and superintendence of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland. These cover the Presbyteries of St Andrews and Cupar and include the records of the Kirk Sessions of parish churches. They can contain communion rolls, lists of heads of families, details of illegitimate births, payments to the poor, and records of baptism, marriages and burial. A full list of holdings by parish is available. We also hold Synod and Presbytery records and archive material from a number of secession and independent churches.
University muniments
These include information on former staff and students at the institution from the 15th century onwards. Although they do not often contain personal or family information, they can nonetheless provide useful details not available elsewhere. Some of the older material has been published. A series of indices is available.
Burgh records for North East Fife
These can include lists of inhabitants, voters and population, apprenticeship, burgess and valuation rolls, and craft and guildry records. Other manuscript holdings relating to trades include volumes of St Andrews baxters, cordiners, fleshers, and hammermen (1548-1861). The burgh register of sasines for St Andrews (1673-1809) has been microfilmed (ms 37024).
Family and estate papers
There is available a list of the manuscripts owned by the University or held on deposit here. These might include rentals and tacks (leases) or genealogical compilations, family history notes etc. which could help in your search. You will need to know the farm or estate on which your ancestor lived.
Individual items or small collections
Some of these are of significance to family historians, such as the minute book of the Anstruther Easter Mortsafe Society, 1830-1874 (ms37478) and the St Andrews Sea Box Society records, 1643-1974 (ms dep 51).