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NRAS for Researchers |
This part of the National Archives of Scotland
(NAS) website concerns the National Register of Archives for Scotland (NRAS),
which was set up in 1946 to compile a record of collections of private papers
in Scotland, to encourage their care, and to make information about them available
to researchers and others. The RegisterThe Register now contains over
4,200 lists or ‘surveys’ of private papers including the records of
landed estates, private individuals, businesses, law firms and societies. Copies
of all the surveys available on the Register can be consulted in the National
Archives of Scotland. Surveys can also be searched on the online
Register, though not all of the surveys are available electronically. |  |
The Index of Survey TitlesThis is available in the search
rooms of the NAS, the National Library of Scotland (NLS), in Edinburgh, and The
National Archives (TNA), in London. Copies of the Index should also be available
in local authority and university archives or reference libraries in Scotland.
Summaries of new surveys are circulated quarterly to national, local authority
and university archives and libraries. Summaries of new surveys added each year
are also published in the Annual Report of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland.
The National Register of ArchivesNRAS surveys are also included
in the electronic indexes which can be found on the homepage of the National Register
of Archives which is maintained by The National Archives: Historical Manuscripts
Commission. Please note that TNA: HMC give all NRAS surveys a separate NRA reference.
For example, NRA 11000 refers to NRAS 234, papers of the Dukes of Atholl.
What should I do once I have identified items I would like to consult?The
title page of each survey tells you where enquiries concerning access should be
addressed. Where papers have been deposited in an archive or library, you will
be directed to the repository concerned. If the papers remain in private hands,
you will be referred to the NRAS.
Where the NRAS is given as the contact,
write to us:
The Registrar,
National Register of Archives for Scotland,
HM General Register House,
Princes Street,
Edinburgh
EH1 3YY
Or e-mail us using our e-mail enquiries
form with the following information: - Your full name, e-mail and postal
addresses
- Your enquiry/ details of your research
- Details
of collection(s)/ item(s) of interest
- Whether you intend to publish
- Whether
you are working to a deadline
Please note that as owners may
not be able to reply to your request or give access to their papers quickly, it
is wise to apply for access as early as possible.
Your letter,
or e-mail, will be forwarded to the owner for their consideration. The owner may
contact you through the NRAS or may choose to contact you direct. If access is
granted, it may be given in the search
room at West Register House, Charlotte Square, Edinburgh or locally.
Please note that where permission to view the papers is granted,
it is for the named applicant only. If you hope to bring a partner or researcher
with you, or wish someone to carry out the research on your behalf, he or she
must be named in your application.
Some owners may charge
an administration fee for arranging access to their papers.
What should I do if the owner refuses access?Private owners receive many
requests to view their private papers. It may be quite time-consuming to retrieve
documents and many owners, while wishing to be as helpful as possible, are unable
to deal with even a low level of enquiries. An owner’s decision not to give
access may seem arbitrary to researchers but there are often very good reasons
why they cannot, and they are under no obligation to tell us why. Researchers
should also remember that access to private papers is a privilege and not a right.
ResearchThe staff of the NRAS can answer specific enquiries regarding
the existence of papers relating to a particular person or topic but cannot undertake
research on behalf of enquirers. Once we have advised on possible sources it is
then up to enquirers either to carry out the research in person or through a representative.
Reprography, exhibition and publication requestsNo reprography,
exhibition or publication is allowed without the written permission of the owner.
If you would like to order photocopies, please make your request once the original
document has been consulted. The condition of the documents will then be judged
concerning suitability for copying.
Citing of referencesReferences
to papers in NRAS surveys should cite the survey name and number, followed by
the bundle, volume or individual 'piece' number, e.g.: Douglas-Hamilton family,
Dukes of Hamilton and Brandon: NRAS 2177/bundle 8675. If the papers were placed
on temporary deposit for you to consult in the NAS, the temporary 'TD' number
should not normally be cited.
Other online catalogues to searchFor
details of the National Archives of Scotland's online catalogue and other research
devices go to the NAS Doing
Research pages. The Scottish Archive Network (SCAN) website has an online
catalogue to the holdings of 52 Scottish archives and a directory of Scottish
archives and online catalogues. | |
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