The Scottish Valuation Rolls for 1915 have now been made available online for the first time.
ScotlandsPeople, where you’ll find the rolls, says: “This is the first time that the rolls have been published online, allowing genealogists, local historians and other researchers to view images of entries in the rolls. Fully searchable both by name and address, the Valuation Rolls provide a fascinating snapshot of Scotland during the First World War, and will be a valuable resource for family history researchers.
What Do the Rolls Contain?
“The rolls record the names of owners, tenants and occupiers of each property, unlike the full lists of family members to be found in the censuses. Usually the named person is the head of the household, but sometimes a husband and wife might be listed. Frequently, the wife is the named tenant of rented property.
Why Were the Valuation Rolls Set Up?
“The Valuation Rolls were created so that the authorities could set local rates. The purpose was to assess property by its annual rental value. This was either the value of the rent paid by the tenant, or a notional rental value if the owner occupied their own property. The burgh and county assessors did not list properties individually that were worth below £4 annual rental value.
Special Introductory Offer for the Launch of the Valuation Rolls
“To celebrate the launch of the Valuation Rolls (VR), for an introductory period, the cost of viewing a VR image will be will be 2 credits rather than 5.
From Crofts to Castle…
“The 1911 Census records provide a snapshot of Scotland on the brink of the First World War. The Valuation Rolls allow researchers to carry the story of their ancestors forward into a time of upheaval and change brought about by war.
“Every kind of dwelling can be found in the rolls, from crofts to castles, and they reflect the drift of people from rural areas into our towns and cities, as well as the continuing industrialisation of Scotland.
“Working premises include shops, offices, factories, football stadiums, churches, cinemas, swimming baths, railways and even lighthouses. This is a fascinating insight into where and how our ancestors lived.”
