"In this newly updated and much expanded second edition of his best selling book, family historian Chris Paton explores the history and records of the various churches in Scotland prior to 1855, the year in which civil registration commenced within the country. He describes the theological changes imposed by the Reformation of 1560, the nature of the state's battles with the Kirk, and the Kirk's subsequent battles within itself. Most importantly, he also discusses the nature of the records generated by various Scottish churches, how to interpret them, and above all else, how to find them."--Back cover.