How do I pay to use the Scots Origins Experts service?
Payments can be made by the following credit/debit cards: VISA, Mastercard, Delta, Switch and Solo.
Is it safe to pay by credit/debit card over the Internet?
Credit/debit card details are transferred encrypted (via SSL) to prevent fraudulent misuse, and are not stored on our system. Technically this is safer than paying in a restaurant where card details may be copied. Credit/debit cards payments over the Internet are becoming increasingly accepted, as banks, merchants and users realise that this is actually a very secure way to pay for goods and services.
How do I identify Scots Origins on my statement? / What is OMS?
Charges normally appear under the description OMS, SCOTS ORIGINS, PINNER (OMS is located in Pinner).
OMS Services Ltd initiated and operates the Scots Origins service on behalf of the General Register Office for Scotland.
Will I receive a refund if the no record is found in the Scots Origins Experts research?
Scots Origins Experts service is in association with Scottish Roots who carry out the searches. A search will have to be carried out by Scottish Roots, regardless of whether the record can be found. If a record cannot be found, half of your fee (i.e £4) will be refunded). The General Register Office also operate under a similar policy charging £13 for an extract, with a £5 search charge if they are unable to find the entry.
I can't remember my Login details
We will email your login details to you if you enter the relevant details into the forms on the Check your login details page, please click here to check your login details.
If you are still having problems contact us with your Password and Username.
This will allow us to quickly identify the problem you are having.
I can't get to the Payment page once I click the Purchase button
The majority of problems here have been caused by Firewall software (such as Zone Alarm) installed on users computers. The Firewall settings are generally too high to allow connection to WorldPay's secure server.
Solution: Lower the Firewall settings for this part of the registration.
With a setting of Medium you will be able to access the payment page but may still not able to make the payment.
Try a setting of Low to make the payment if there is a problem with the Medium setting.
I keep getting the message You have been logged out
Some of the later versions of IE6 have problems due to the high default security settings. These high security settings stop the use of session cookies which are necessary for use of Origins sites. If your browser is not accepting cookies you will see this symbol in the bottom bar of your browser
.
Solution: To re-set your security in IE6 go to the Tools menu option on the browser and select Internet Options....
On the window that pops up select the Privacy tab.
Move the Privacy Preferences or Settings slider to Medium High or Medium.
Will my User code from the old Scots Origins site still work?
Unfortunately User codes and Passwords, valid on the old Scots Origins website, will not work on our new system. You will need to re-register, and can enter any Username and Password you wish.
Can I search for more than one person using the Scots Origins Experts Service?
At present we are unable to offer multiple searches.
What details do I need to know to have Scottish Roots carry out a search for me?
Please click here for information required when submitting a request.
What information will be provided in an extract?
Please click here for details of what may be in an extract.
What are the differences between Old Parish Register and Statutory Register records?
In 1855 it became a government task to collate birth, death and marriage records in the Statutory Register. Before 1855 such records were kept locally by individual parishes of the established church, the Church of Scotland - Old Parish Registers. The GROS keeps all Old Parish Registers which remain, dating from 1553.
- The completeness and accuracy of the Old Parish Registers cannot be guaranteed since there was no statutory format for the records nor legal obligation to keep them. Some registers have been destroyed or lost during centuries of often turbulent Scottish history.
- Statutory Registers contain information required by law, in a specified format, so these records should be complete and accurate.
- SRI records do not include the full date of an event, since only the year was captured.
- OPRI entries contain the full date of an event.
- SRI Birth/Christening records do not have parents' names.
- For OPRI Births/Christenings parents' names are usually present.
Why are there no Death records before 1855?
The Old Parish Registers Index was originally created by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church) who were at that time interested only in the Births and Marriage records.
How long does it take for a "sighting" transcription to be delivered?
Sighting transcriptions will be delivered within 21 days.
Can you help me trace my family history?
We do not offer any genealogical services ourselves, other than online databases.
Who do I contact about suggestions for improvements or other feedback
See our Contacts page.