Nature of Source
Introduction
Scottish militia records are a valuable resource for tracing male ancestors called upon to defend their communities and country during times of military conflict, particularly around the Napoleonic Wars. The records are especially valuable for tracing male ancestors who may not appear in regular army records.
What Are Scottish Militia Records?
Scottish militia records include:
- Militia ballot lists
- Muster rolls
- Militia enlistment and attestation records
These records primarily date from the late 18th and early 19th centuries and can show names, ages, residences, occupations and sometimes physical descriptions of those eligible for or enrolled in local militia service. Some records date back to the 16th century and militia related documents can be found up to the early 20th century.
Historical Context
Before 1707
Prior to the Act of Union in 1707, Scotland had no standing army, so troops were raised when the need arose. This was usually in response to specific threats or periods of military conflict. Unlike the formal militia structure in England, these forces were often temporary and organised locally.
After 1707
Following the union with England, the responsibility for military matters passed to the central British government. As a result, records of Scottish soldiers serving in the British Army are held at The National Archives in Kew. Although, expect to find some local militia records (especially for the 18th and 19th centuries) in Scottish archives.
Scottish Militia (1797)
The Militia Act (Scotland) of 1797 was passed in response to the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802) and the growing threat of invasion by French forces during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). The Act required the creation of local militia forces for national defence, raised and overseen by Lord Lieutenants within each county.
The Militia Ballot
A key element of the Militia Act was the ballot system, which required a survey or ballot of all able-bodied men aged 18 to 45 (initially 18 to 30, prior to 1802). These lists were effectively an early form of a conscription register, recording all eligible men in a given area. From this pool, individuals were selected by lot to actually serve in the militia. However, certain groups were legally exempt from militia service, including:
- Apprentices
- Schoolmasters
- Clergy and ministers of religion
- Paupers
- Men with physical disabilities
Additionally, a balloted man could nominate a substitute to serve in his place, often for a fee. Therefore, if you find an ancestor listed in militia records, note that he may have served as a substitute rather than being selected in the original ballot.
Fencibles and Volunteer Forces
In addition to the official militia, Scotland saw the formation of volunteer Fencible Regiments (short for ‘Defencible’) and various volunteer forces during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, particularly around the time of the Napoleonic Wars. These units were raised by local landowners or clan chiefs using men willing to serve within the British Isles (England, Scotland, or Ireland), but not overseas. Other volunteer forces such as the Yeomanry and Rifle Volunteers were also raised locally to strengthen home defence in times of national threat. While records for Fencibles and volunteer units are separate from official militia records, they are often found alongside militia records in local archives.
Key Reference Books:
- Gibson, Jeremy & Dell, Alan. Tudor and Stuart Muster Rolls: FFHS, 1989. The book provides a directory of where surviving muster rolls from the Tudor and Stuart periods (16th and 17th centuries) are held in archives and libraries across the British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland).
- Gibson, Jeremy & Medlycott, Mervyn. Militia Lists and Musters, 1757-1876: A Directory of Holdings in the British Isles: FFHS, 2000. The book provides a directory of where militia lists and muster rolls from 1757 onward are held in archives and libraries across the British Isles (England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland).
Additional Resources
The following GenGuide sources could assist in researching militia records:
The following GenGuide sources could assist in researching Scottish ancestors:
Where Found
National Records of Scotland
Militia related records include:
- Militia Lists and Ballot Lists (c. 1797-1820). These were compiled at the county level after the Militia Act (Scotland) 1797.
- Pre-1707 Muster Rolls. Muster rolls from 1641 up to the Act of Union of 1707.
- Sheriff Court and Lieutenancy Records. Militia records are often found within sheriff court records mainly from 1641-1820, as they were responsible for compiling lists of military age men. These records are accessible through ScotlandsPeople Centre.
- Landowners or estate records may have militia records of landowners who raised local militias.
ScotlandsPeople Centre
The ScotlandsPeople Centre, located in central Edinburgh, includes search rooms for in-person visits. The principal militia material is to be found in the sheriff court records or county council records. Other militia records may also be found in landowner records as landowners were responsible for compiling lists of men able to bear arms. The centre is run by the National Records of Scotland, a non-ministerial department of the Scottish Government. Many of the records are available via ScotlandsPeople which is the official government website for searching government records and archives related to Scottish family history research.
- Series WO 13, Militia and Volunteers Muster Books and Pay Lists, 1778-1878. This series comprises muster books and pay lists of militia and volunteer regiments. It covers county militias for England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland.
- Series SP 41/2, Muster rolls of the Scottish army in England taken at Muskham, near Newark, Nottinghamshire, on or about 17 January 1646.
County Record Offices
Militia records held locally include:
- Muster rolls. These were usually compiled at the county or parish level, particularly after the Militia Act (Scotland) of 1797.
- Enrolment books. Registers of those enrolled in county militias.
- Ballot lists. Lists of men eligible for militia service.
- Commissions and testimonials.
- Militia records in sheriff court or county council collections.
- Estate papers and family collections of local landowners may hold information about fencible and volunteer units.
Mitchell Library
Glasgow City Archives. The archives holds muster rolls, certificates, and orders of aliment for the Glasgow militia, as well as family and estate papers that may include militia records.
Period Covered
1641 – 1820
Genealogical Value
- Names of those enrolled or balloted
- Ages
- Residences such as (parish, town or address)
- Occupations
- Physical descriptions
- Details of service (dates, units, ranks, exemptions, substitutes, and sometimes discharge or desertion notes)
Further References
Militia Related
- Aikman, Christian & Livingstone, Alastair & Stuart Hart, Betty (eds). No Quarter Given: The Muster Roll of Prince Charles Edward Stuart’s Army, 1745-46: Neil Wilson Publishing, 2001 (Fully indexed)
- Dalton, Charles. The Scots Army 1661-1688: Greenhill Books, 1989 (1909) (Available at the Internet Archive and includes regiment lists and muster rolls)
- Gibson, Jeremy & Medlycott, Mervyn. Militia Lists and Musters, 1757-1876 : A Directory of Holdings in the British Isles: Federation of Family History Societies, 2000
- Gibson, Jeremy & Dell, Alan. Tudor and Stuart Muster Rolls: Federation of Family History Societies, 1996
- Hamilton-Dalrymple, Hew. Records of the Ayrshire Militia from 1802 to 1883: South Ayrshire Council, 2011
- Morrison, Arnold. Some Scottish Sources on Militias, Fencibles and Volunteers 1790-183: A. Morrison, 1998
- Morrison, Arnold. The defence of Scotland: militias, fencibles and volunteer corps: Scottish sources, 1793-1820: A. Morrison, 2000
- Ripley, Howard & Darmanin, Denis. Scottish, Welsh & Channel Islands Infantry Militia Buttons 1757-1881: Howard Ripley, 2013
Family History Guides
- Adolph, Anthony. Tracing Your Scottish Family History: Collins, 2008
- Bigwood, Rosemary: The Scottish Family Tree Detective: Tracing Your Ancestors in Scotland: Manchester University Press, 2007
- Clarke, T. Tracing Your Scottish Ancestors: The Official Guide: Birlinn, 2012
- Cory, Kathleen B. Tracing Your Scottish Ancestry: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2009
- Durie, Bruce. Scottish Genealogy: The History Press, 2012
- Durie, Bruce. Documents for Genealogy & Local History: The History Press, 2013
- Hamilton-Edwards, Gerald. In Search of Scottish Ancestry: Phillimore, 1983
- Holton, Graham & Winch, Jack. Discover Your Scottish Ancestry: Internet and Traditional Resources: Edinburgh University Press, 2009 (Preview available from Google Books)
- James, Alwyn. Scottish Roots: From Gravestone to Website: The Step-By-Step Guide to Tracing Your Scottish Ancestors: Luath Press, 2005
- Maxwell, Ian. Tracing your Scottish Ancestors: A Guide for Family Historians: Pen & Sword, 2009
- Paton, Chris. Researching Scottish Family History: The Family History Partnership, 2010
- Stewart, Alan. My Ancestor was Scottish: Society of Genealogists, 2012
- Tovey, Helen. My Scottish Ancestry: Lomond Books, 2011
Other
- Concise Scots Dictionary: Edinburgh University Press, 1999 (Preview available from Google Books)
- Lynch, Michael. Oxford Companion to Scottish History: OUP Oxford, 2011
- Moffat, Alistair & Wilson, James. The Scots: A Genetic Journey: Birlinn, 2011
- Richards, Eric. The Highland Clearances: Birlinn, 2013
- Scots Dictionary: Collins, 2014
- Timperley, Loretta R, (ed). A Directory of Land Ownership in Scotland c 1770: Scottish Record Society, 1976
- Torrance, Richard D. Scottish Trades, Professions, Vital Documents & Directories: Scottish Association of Family History Societies, 1998
Websites
National Records of Scotland
Research Guide (Archived Content): Military Records. This guide deals with the records held at National Records of Scotland relating to the military. The first part deals with army personnel records while the second part covers more general sources for military history
The National Archives Research Guide
How to look for records of Medieval and early modern soldiers. Use the advice in this guide to find records of individual soldiers from the medieval and early modern periods. The guide covers records from the 12th to the 17th centuries, including the Civil War.
Maximapedia
Militia of the United Kingdom
UK Military Family History Online
The website is an online resource providing help for users researching military family history. It provides a collection of 1,589 links to various websites offering online information across a wide range of categories relevant to military family research, such as muster rolls, discharge papers and pension records.
National War Museum
The Museum, located within the walls of Edinburgh Castle, explores over 400 years of conflict through a unique collection of military objects, artwork, and personal stories, including recruitment posters, equipment, medals, trophies and military art. The ‘In Defence’ Gallery highlights the role of volunteer and militia forces who provided home defence while regular troops were deployed overseas.
Mitchell: Glasgow City Archives
Militia. Guide to the records of voluntary forces in Glasgow and the west of Scotland over four centuries.
Scottish Military Research Group
The charity aims to educate and inform the public about how to research their Scottish military ancestors.
Stirling Council Archives Blog
Militia and Volunteers Records.
Clan Coutts Society
Scots Fencibles (militia).
Waterloo Association
The Forgotten Army: Fencible Regiments of Great Britain 1793-1816.
Scribd
The Defence of Scotland, Militias, Fencibles and Volunteer Corps, 1793-1820, by Professor Arnold Morrison. A description of the militias, fencibles and volunteer corps, followed by a list of units and their records.
The GENES Blog
Scotland’s Fencible Regiments – Part 1: Background.
The Highlanders’ Museum
Volunteers, Militia & Territorials, (1793-Present).
FamilySearch
Scotland Military Records.
Relatively Scottish
Local Militia Lists.
Military Wiki Fandom
Fifeshire Militia.
Military Wiki Fandom
Militia Artillery units of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
Online Databases
National Register of Archives for Scotland
The platform, managed by the National Records of Scotland, allows users to search the NRAS catalogue for the whereabouts of archival records using keywords, reference numbers and dates.
- Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Militia Attestation Papers, 1800-1915. This collection comprises attestation papers for recruits into the militia from 1800-1915. The original data is held in series WO 96 at The National Archives.
- Perthshire, Scotland, Militia Survey, 1802. Search forms sent out to householders within the Burgh of Perth requiring them to list the name of every man in their house aged 18 to 45, who was liable for service with the militia.
- West Dumbartonshire, Scotland, Military Muster Rolls, 1890-1917. The records include muster rolls formatted as log books with entries for several soldiers on each page. The entries are handwritten and may be difficult to read.
- Edinburgh, Scotland, Army Attestation Registers, 1796-1857. The collection includes full time members of volunteer regiments, such as drummer boys, and those who chose to join the militia rather than the regular army although these were few in number.
Findmypast
Scotland, Forfarshire (Angus), Dundee Militia Lists, 1801. Search returns by constables and schoolmasters listing men between the ages of 19 and 30 who were liable for service in the militia in accordance with the Militia Acts in Forfarshire.
Forces War Records
UK, Scottish Militia, 1797-1800. This database gives a snapshot of all the men serving with the 10 Battalions of Scottish Militia at the beginning of 1800.
Mitchell: Glasgow City Archives
Index to Militia Registers for Glasgow 1810-1831. The Militia Act of 1809 provided for aliment to militia-men who had children below the age of ten. The men themselves, their wives and children, and the principals for whom they were acting as substitutes if any are all indexed.
CD Roms
HathiTrust
A history of the Scottish Borderers Militia compiled from authentic sources, by Robert W. Weir.
