Genealogy
Have you ever wondered…
… where your family come from?
… what they worked at?
… where that unusual middle name came from?
There is a number of places in Inverclyde where records can be accessed to help you research into your family tree. An ideal starting point is the Registration Office in Greenock, where on-line search facilities are available.
Records held at Registration Office
Records of Births, Deaths and Marriages for the Inverclyde area dating back to 1855 are held in the Registration Office. In addition to these records, there is on-line access to the indexes held at the General Register Office in Edinburgh. These indexes cover the Statutory Records from 1855 as well as Old Parish Registers and Census Records (1881,1891 and 1901).
Digital Imaging of Genealogical Records Of Scotland's People (DIGROS) has been introduced at the Registration Office. This facility means that more extensive genealogical research is possible at a local level. A major benefit of DIGROS is that Registration Office staff can now access not only the index but also a digital image of the actual Register entry, regardless of where the event was registered in Scotland. The records available include the Statutory Records from 1855, the Old Parish Registers and the Census Records up to 1901.
If you are planning to make a trip to Inverclyde to research your family history, it makes good sense to be as prepared as possible for your visit. An appointment at the Registration Office will save you a wasted journey. This service is charged by the hour, so, it is best to book two hours as the appointment will be worked around Registration and if the time elapses then you may have to book another appointment.
A name and approximate year of birth are the minimum information required. If you haven’t been able to find any documentation, bring along some background information about your family, including names, dates, places etc. It is very useful to have this information written out as a basic outline family tree, with the dates filled in where possible. It is worthwhile preparing a list of questions you want answered to avoid wasting valuable appointment time.
For further information, please contact the Registration Service (refer to Contacts section of the page).
The preferred payment method is by debit or credit card. This avoids waiting in the general cash collection area. Cash payments cannot be made on Wednesdays before 11am.
Office Opening Hours
Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 16:30
Friday 09:00 - 15:45
Burial and cremation records for Inverclyde are held at Greenock Crematorium and The Watt Library, where genealogical searches can be carried out. Remember, the more detailed information you have, the more fruitful your search is likely to be. The minimum information required to carry out a search is a Name along with the Month & Year of Death.
Records held at Greenock Crematorium
Kilmacolm Cemetery - August 1897
Port Glasgow Cemetery - July 1859
Knocknairshill Cemetery - February 1994
Greenock Cemetery - May 1846
Gourock Cemetery - November 1876
Inverkip Cemetery - July - 1852
Greenock Crematorium - 1959
To make an appointment to access records and for all enquiries please contact:
Greenock Crematorium
1 South Street
Greenock PA16 8UG
Phone (01475) 715658
Please note: There is a charge for this service.
Records held at Watt Library
Kilmacolm Parish Churchyard Main Street Kilmacolm
St Andrew’s Churchyard Church Street, Port Glasgow
Newark Parish Churchyard Glen Avenue, Port Glasgow
Inverkip Street Cemetery Inverkip Street, Greenock
To make an appointment to access records please contact:
Watt Library
Watt Institution
15 Kelly Street
Greenock PA15 1LY
Tel. (01475) 715628