Book excerpt: This work identifies the major sources and repositories for those just getting started on their research, and it also focuses on the other, less commonly used, sources that exist, which will allow more advanced researchers to put the basic facts they have gathered into context. With an emphasis on publications, manuscript sources, and archival records, David Dobson highlights ways to trace Scottish ancestors using alternative sources, primarily those covering the years between 1550 and 1850. For each research topic--including statutory registers, church records, tax records, sasines and land registers, court records, military and maritime sources, burgh and estate records, emigration records, and much more--Mr. Dobson has compiled an extensive list of the publications and archival records that will enable family historians to advance their research. Another unique feature is the inclusion of numerous excerpts from publications and archival records, which will help lead researchers to the sources most applicable to their research.