faqs

Genealogy

Access

Am I allowed access to the Manuscripts and Rare Book collections, although I am not a member of the University?: Yes. The Special Collections Department is open to all who wish to study. You do not need to be a registered reader of the University Library. You will be asked to fill in a small registration form, and to provide identification, on your first visit to the department. Thereafter, the books or manuscripts which you request will be brought to you in the Special Collections Reading Room, and you must abide by the regulations for the use of the Reading Room which you will be shown when you register. Access to any book or manuscript is at the discretion of the Keeper of Rare Books or the Keeper of Manuscripts, but use of individual items would normally only be refused for reasons such as physical fragility, or their (rare) absence due to loan or exhibition. Registration as a user of Special Collections does not give you borrowing rights in the Main Library, but you are welcome to use its reference facilities.

Genealogy

Manuscripts

How do I find out what Manuscripts the Library holds?: The manuscript collections are listed and indexed to varying degrees. The Manuscripts page of this website gives basic details of many of the collections, and will also tell you which collections have detailed lists. There are some lists and indices which may be consulted in the Department, and we are currently compiling an on-line database which will eventually offer very detailed information about all of the collections. Many of our manuscripts are listed at a summary level on the Archives Hub.
How do I go about depositing a manuscript in the Library?: You should, in the first instance, contact the Keeper of Manuscripts (see How to contact us), who will discuss with you the various issues involved with donating or depositing material, and will advise you regarding whether the Library is the most appropriate place for the items you have.
Do you provide valuations of manuscripts?: No. For valuations, either for personal or insurance purposes, you should seek the assistance of a reputable dealer or auction house.

Genealogy

Muniments

What does "Muniments" mean?

"Muniments" are defined as legal records, deeds and other evidence of title. The term has been expanded to describe the historical record or archive of the University. Our earliest documents date from 1215. In short, the Muniments Collection is the University's archive of non-current records.

What does LLA stand for?

Lady Literate in Arts. The LLA was a 'distance learning' qualification for women, introduced to allow them access to University education in the days before they were admitted as students to the University itself. Students studied at colleges local to them, and sat examinations set by the University, at centres all over the UK and in many places throughout the world. Many thousands of women participated in the LLA scheme, which was so popular that it survived for 50 years, into the 1930s - long after women were admitted as full-time students. For further information, see the article 'Literate Ladies: a Fifty-Year Experiment' by R.N. Smart in St Andrews University Alumnus Chronicle, 1967, vol. 49

How was it possible to gain an MD (Doctor of Medicine) degree without attending the University?

Although St Andrews was allowed to award medical degrees under the terms of its foundation in the early 15th century, in fact there was no organised scheme of medical teaching which could be termed a 'Medical School' until late in the 19th century. From 1690s until the 1830s, the degree of MD was usually awarded on the basis of testimonials provided on behalf of the candidates by 'eminent practitioners', who testified that they knew the candidate, that he had suitable education, character and experience, and was therefore fit for the degree. The University Senatus awarded the degree in absentia. The entire process was conducted by post, and the candidate did not normally have to visit the University at all.

Most of the candidates were men who had already established themselves in medical practice, and who had followed the usual route in the period, through surgery.

In the 1830s, examinations (by viva) were introduced, and the candidates had to come to St Andrews to sit them. It was not until later in the century, however, that courses of instruction leading to medical degrees were introduced.

For further information about medical teaching in the University, see John S.G.Blair, History of Medicine in the University of St Andrews, Edinburgh, Scottish Academic Press, 1987

How can I find out if someone attended St Andrews University?

We hold records of students and staff of the University going right back to the earliest days of the institution, although we are aware that the records are not complete for the whole of that period. Some of the matriculation and graduation records are in print: see

J.M. Anderson, The Matriculation Roll of the University of St Andrews 1747-1897, edited by James Maitland Anderson, Edinburgh, Blackwood, 1905.

A.I. Dunlop, Acta Facultatis Artium Universitatis Sanctiandree, 1413-1588, edited by Annie I Dunlop, Edinburgh, Oliver and Boyd, 1964.

J.M. Anderson, Early Records of the University of St Andrews: the Graduation Roll 1413-1579, edited by James Maitland Anderson, Edinburgh, Scottish History Society, 1926.

R.N. Smart, Biographical Register of the University of St Andrews, 1747 - 1897,St Andrews, 2004.

These volumes should be your first port of call. We also have a manuscript index to the period (1560-1747) for which the records are not in print.

If you cannot find the person you want, or they are likely to be in the unpublished records, please write or email with your enquiry, giving as complete details as you can, and we will do our best to help you.

See also "What information do you hold on past students of the University?".

What information do you hold on past students of the University?

For students up until the late 19th century, frequently our only record is their name in the matriculation register. We are unlikely to be able to supply such information as parents names, home residence, etc. We may be able to reconstruct a likely academic profile, based on the norms of the day, and we may have some indication of their social status from the financial records.

For much of the 18th and 19th centuries, we also hold Library borrowing records which can provide useful information about the nature and extent of their studies.

For more recent students we do hold the files created for matriculation and record purposes. Particularly in modern times, these records provide some personal and family information, but please note that we will not supply information from these files to a third party during the lifetime of the student.

Genealogy

Photographic Collections

How do I find out what photographs the Library holds?: There are a series of slip indices giving details of many of the collections. Some, however, are not indexed, and you will need the assistance of a member of staff. (It is always a good idea to contact us in advance if you are coming in with a photographic enquiry.) We also have an ever- increasing number of the photographs available electronically, and the database can be used either in the Library, or via the internet. For further details, see the Photographic Collections page.
Can I obtain copies of photographs held in the Library?: Yes. We are unlikely to offer you photocopies of original photographs (the light from the copier will damage them), but if we hold the image in electronic form, we can offer you computer prints in a variety of qualities and sizes. At the moment, true photographic copies are unavailable. For further details, see the Commercial Activities page.
Am I allowed to borrow images, for publication or other purposes?: No. We do not lend out images. We will, however, supply copies in either print or electronic form, of a quality suitable for all publication purposes. You will have to bear the cost of the copy, and perhaps also a reproduction fee. No reproduction of our images is permissible, however, without specific written authorisation from us. For further details, please refer to the Commercial Activities page.
Is it possible to date a Valentine postcard?: If the card has a reference number on it (typically in the lower right hand corner), we will usually be able to supply you with the year in which the image was registered for use. This is not always an accurate date for the photograph, but is usually a useful guide. We also have a booklet for sale (Ł5), which briefly describes the Valentine collection, and provides a helpful guide to dating the pictures. See How to contact us.
Can I come in to look through the Valentine Postcard Collection?: Not really! This is a question we are often asked, not only in regard to the Valentine Collection, but the other photographic collections as well. The Valentine Collection is not a postcard collection: it is the image archive, containing the images - in many different formats - which Valentines used in their various publication activities. Like the other photographic collections, the Valentine material exists in a wide variety of image-types, and a high proportion of it is in negative form only. It is not possible, therefore, simply to browse through it. Our series of indices (and, increasingly, the database) will help you identify images in which you might be interested, and you will then either be able to look at the image electronically or be shown the original. The moral is, know what you want before you visit us, warn us of your visit, and be prepared to spend some time!

Genealogy

Rare Books

How do I find out what printed books are in the library?: The main library catalogue is SAULCAT, available on-line. However only about 50% of the overall library stock is currently on the on-line catalogue, and slightly less than 50% for the rare books. Records for the rest of the library's stock can be found only on the printed guard-book catalogue, within the Library itself.
Can I photocopy from rare books?: Readers are normally not allowed to photocopy rare books themselves. However library staff may do small amounts of photocopying, if the binding of the book is sufficiently robust. Library staff reserve the right to refuse to allow photocopying if they consider that the book will be damaged. No books printed before 1501 will be photocopied.
Can I find out whether the library holds books owned by a particular individual?: The on-line catalogue has a search which enables readers to find former owners. Go the Special Collections page, choose Rare Books Names, and type in the name of the person you are interested in. The Special Collections department also maintains a manual index of former owners; to consult it, see How to contact us.
Can I have photographs made from printed books held in the library?: Photography of printed books is usually possible, subject to the condition of the book and copyright restrictions. For further information see the Commercial Activities page
How do I find out what books the library holds on a particular topic?: Any book for which there is an entry on SAULCAT can be found through keyword searches on title and subject. You can also browse the Library of Congress subject headings. Any book for which so far, no electronic catalogue record exists is more difficult to find by subject, since the guard book entries are nearly all by author only. However, it is possible to search the Library's sheaf catalogues (arranged by Library of Congress classmark). Ask for more help in the Special Collections Department.
How do I go about depositing a book in the Library?: You should, in the first instance, contact the Keeper of Rare Books (see How to contact us), who will discuss with you the various issues involved with donating or depositing material, and will advise you regarding whether the Library is the most appropriate place for the items you have.
Do you provide valuations of books?: No. For valuations, either for personal or insurance purposes, you should seek the assistance of a reputable dealer or auction house.