We hold Perth & Kinross censuses for 1841-1901 on microfilm and can provide access to the 1911 census for England & Wales on Ancestry. We also hold historic census records for other parts of Scotland, please contact us to check areas and dates.

We hold electoral registers for Perth & Kinross and the historic counties of Perthshire and Kinross-shire from 1899 to the present day. There are some gaps in our holdings, but these can be filled by a second complete set which is held in the Archive. Please be aware that registers produced in the last ten years are not available for consultation. This is a legal restriction and exceptions cannot be made. However, the current year’s register is always available.

Electoral registers record the names and addresses of people who are entitled to vote. They are compiled annually so can be a very useful way to trace your ancestor between census years. However, before 1918, the right to vote was limited to men who met specific property qualifications and so electoral registers for this period only contain the names of wealthier members of society. In 1918 the franchise was extended to most men over 21 and women over 30 years old. The voting age for women was lowered to 21 in 1928, and in 1969 to 18 for both men and women.

We hold valuation rolls for Perth & Kinross from the mid-nineteenth century to the 1970s. Perthshire rolls run from 1855, Kinross-shire from 1872 and Perth City from 1869. There are gaps in our holdings, many of which can be filled by a second set held in the Archive. If you are looking for a particular year it is best to contact us before your visit.

Valuation rolls record the name and address of every property in Perth & Kinross, noting their owner, occupier, and rateable value. Like electoral registers, they were compiled annually so are a useful way to trace your ancestors between censuses. However, they only name the head of the household, so you will not find details of other adults living at the property. They include residential and commercial properties such as shops, cinemas, industrial works, etc. so are also very useful for tracing the history of buildings.

The Ancestry family history website contains access to millions of records and is a brilliant way to delve more deeply into your ancestral roots. Perth & Kinross Library members have free access to Ancestry in all our libraries and researchers who aren’t library members can also use the site for free while working in the Local & Family History Service in AK Bell Library.