The Transactions and publications

The Transactions of this Society have been published more or less annually since the foundation of the Society in 1862. In the early years and certainly up to about the 1950s they were literally a record of the 'transactions' and the 'proceedings' of the Society, meeting by meeting - recording members elected, the business of each meeting and a printed record of all the major papers read to members at the times of meeting. These articles have related to all branches of archaeological, antiquarian, genealogical and scientific research within the area of Dumfries and Galloway. Over the last thirty years the Transactions have often acted as a vehicle for the official publication of rescue and other excavation reports carried out upon behalf of Historic Scotland and other official bodies.

Since the commencement of the Society Transactions have been produced in three separate series.-

                Series I in six volumes from 1862 to 1868

                Series II in 24 volumes from 1876 to 1912

                Series III in 74 volumes from 1912 to date

An Index to the papers in the Transactions Series I & II was published in 1968. The articles within the IIIrd Series have also been indexed and appear within various volumes as follows: volumes 1-26 in Volume 29, vols. 27-38 in volume 39, vols 39-48 in volume 49, vols 49-58 in volume 59 and vols 59-68 in volume 69.

A major project is currently underway to produce a complete index to the papers within the whole of Series I, II and III. It is planned that this will be available sometime during the year 2001. It will exist primarily as an interactively searchable Microsoft Access database - with pre-written reports providing alphabetic listings, articles by Author listings and articles by major classification types such as Bronze Age, Roman, Early Mediaeval, Mediaeval, Genealogy, Botany, etc.

Contributions to the Transactions are invited on the Natural History, Geology, Antiquities, Archaeology (including Industrial Archaeology) and the Genealogy of South West Scotland or the Solway Basin, and preference is always given to original work on local subjects. Intending contributors should, in the first instance, apply to the Editors giving the nature and approximate size of their paper. Each contributor will see a proof of his or her paper and neither the Editors nor the Society hold themselves responsible for the accuracy of scientific, historical or personal information contained therein. Copies of the Instructions to Contributors are given elsewhere within this WebPage.

The Transactions are issued gratis to all paid up members at the time of issue.     

Enquiries regarding back numbers of Transactions - see separate list - should be made to the Hon. Librarian, Mr R. Coleman, 2 Loreburn Park, Dumfries DG1 1LS. As many of the back numbers are out of stock, members and others can greatly assist the finances of the Society by arranging for any volumes which are not required, whether of their own or those of deceased members, to be handed in. It follows that volumes marked as out of print may nevertheless be available from time to time.

In addition to the Transactions the Society has also produced, from time to time, other separate publications. A full listing of these publications will be found elsewhere within the WebPage. Publications of the Ann Hill Bequest are noted separately.