Scots do not have time for their ancestors, according to new survey

The majority of Scottish people would like to know more about their family history than they currently do, but just don’t have the time to look into it, according to a new survey.

The research, carried out as part of the Family Legends project, showed that 90% of those surveyed would love to know more about their ancestors. The majority of these were hampered by a lack of time and the remainder by a lack of understanding about where to start.

The survey also showed that, when asked what they were most looking forward to this Christmas, 65% of respondents rejected presents, time off work and even Christmas dinner, in favour of getting together with family.

Claire Stewart, Family Legends Project Manager at Scottish Book Trust, said:

"Scotland has a very family-orientated culture, but in today’s fast-paced society, researching family history can easily fall to the bottom of the To Do list. There is a misplaced perception that researching our history is a time-consuming process, involving complex family trees and months in a library. However, forging a connection with your ancestors can be as simple as having a conversation with a relative. You’ll be amazed at the stories that emerge if you show an interest, and what better time to have that conversation than at Christmas, when all the family is together.

"Our aim, through the Family Legends Project, is to encourage people to write down stories about their relatives, in their own words, so that they may be enjoyed by others and, most importantly, will never be forgotten."

The submissions will stay in an online collection on Scottish Book Trust’s website and a selection of the most interesting and inspiring stories will be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland and published in a book in 2011.

Find out how to get involved and add your Family Legend story here