9. Public Records (State, National, or International)

 

The Flag of Scotland

    Why do we need public records? This is a commonly asked question, but thankfully Google has the answer. Although we may not think about public records and their significance that much, Google assures us there is a need for these detailed government documents, available to the public. While this public records encouragement is prevalent in the United States, this same push for public involvement is common in other countries around the world. 

    Across the pond, our friends in the United Kingdom (specifically Scotland) share this same patriotic enthusiasm about public records access. While Scotland is under the constitutional monarchy and Queen Elizabeth II, the Scottish government is led by the First Minister of Scotland and the Scottish Ministers. This devolved government is responsible for the economy, health, education, justice system, and housing of Scotland. One of the ways the government provides to their people is through public records. The public records in Scotland are available online and in person, at the National Records of Scotland office.  

    These records provide organized and detailed accounts of "civil registration, the census of Scotland, demography and statistics, family history, and the national archives and historical records." (source). 

    Online, the National Records of Scotland preserve the past, record the present, and inform the future of Scotland. At the top of the website in purple headlines, you are able to click "Research" to view the collections, how to access them, and a guide to navigating the records. 

    While the National Records are available online, their physical location for files remains in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. The General Register House, serves as the headquarters for the National Records of Scotland. At this impressive two story building with rooms dedicated to specific research purposes such as: The Historical Search Room, the Dundas Search Room and the Legal Search Room. 

The General Register House

    The resources to access Scotland's public records demonstrates the international importance of public records, coming down to a local level. Each country is separate in their governments, rules, and overall values but it's comforting to know that across the world, their is the same public encouragement for involvement in the government.