Ayrshire was a county in the south west of Scotland. The county also included the burghs of Ardrossan, Ayr, Beith, Cumnock & Holmhead, Darvel, Galston, Girvan, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, Largs, Maybole, Newmilns & Greenholm, Prestwick, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Stewarton and Troon; and the inhabited island of Ailsa Craig. Ayr County Council was established by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, taking over powers from the Commissioners of Supply, County Road Trust, and other local authorities. The County Council was abolished in 1975 by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, and the former county became part of Strathclyde Region. The area which formerly constituted Ayrshire is now divided between the three unitary authorities of North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire and East Ayrshire, which were set up in 1996.

Archive services
Further information about these archives can be found in the SCAN Directory.
Ayrshire Archives
Glasgow University Archives & Business Records Centre
National Archives of Scotland
National Library of Scotland

Local studies libraries
East Ayrshire Council Library Service
North Ayrshire Libraries
South Ayrshire Libraries

Family History Societies
Alloway & District Family History Society
East Ayrshire Family History Society
Largs & North Ayrshire Family History Society
Troon & District Family History Society
Glasgow & South West of Scotland Family History Society

Historical records

County Council records
County Constabulary records
Medical Officer of Health reports
Vehicle Licensing Records
Valuation Rolls

Sheriffdoms
JP court records
Register of sasines
Other records