Government
National government created many different classes of record. Here are some of them:
- Lerwick Sheriff Court records (1490-1975)
- Records of the Procurator Fiscal and police (1850s-1920s)
- Customs and Excise records (1790-20th century)
- Lerwick Fishery Office records, 1809-1971
The court records include information about crimes and criminals, and ‘civil’ cases such as land disputes, bankruptcies and debts. The Customs and Excise records include shipping and fishing boat registers and information on smuggling and smugglers; the Fishery Office records deal with Shetland’s biggest industry.