Join us for February’s Online Fellows Meeting as Fellow Stewart Stevenson delves into Scotland’s unusual adulterine birth records, revealing the personal dramas, social pressures, and resilience behind these rare historical entries.

About the Speaker

Stewart Stevenson MA MSc FSAScot FRSSA FRSA is a former Scottish Government Minister and long-serving Member of the Scottish Parliament (2001–2021), with responsibility for major primary and secondary legislation. Earlier, he held senior roles in banking technology and academia. A graduate of the Universities of Aberdeen and Strathclyde, he is now Editor of The Scottish Genealogist, combining interests in public history, governance, and family history research. 

Event Summary 

Drawing on Stewart’s MSc research at the University of Strathclyde, this talk explores a small but revealing group within Scotland’s historical records: the approximately 0.3% of births registered as resulting from adulterous relationships. Far from being dry statistics, these records open doors to compelling and often dramatic family stories. What followed such revelations? In some cases, marriage breakdown or bigamy; in others, scandal, violence, and even murder, while occasionally, life carried on much as before. 

By examining the lives of the women involved, their partners, and their children through Scotland’s archival sources, this talk sheds light on how women navigated personal, legal, and social consequences in situations where their choices were heavily scrutinised and constrained. In doing so, it highlights women’s lived experiences within historical systems of inequality, and by reflecting on resilience, agency, and the long struggle for equality and liberation.

Content Warning

The talk addresses adult topics in a manner suitable for people over 14 years of age. One slide shows a drawing of some of the injuries inflicted on a murder victim but does not include photographs of them. The speaker gives notice of this upcoming content during the talk.  

JOIN US

Throughout the year, Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland are invited to exclusive online and in-person events. They are one of the benefits of Fellowship and provide opportunities to network, meet other Fellows, and learn and discuss areas of shared interests related to Scotland’s past.

If you are not a Fellow and would like to support our work as a charity while enjoying the many benefits of Fellowship, find out how to join or subscribe to our public e-newsletter.

Image: Register House, home of Scotland’s birth records © Stewart Stevenson

When: Thursday 26 February 2026, 5pm UK Time

Where: Online via Zoom