The Arbuthnot Museum in Peterhead has opened a new resource to help locals and visitors to trace their family trees.
First Minister Alex Salmond officially opened the new Family History Centre on Saturday and he was presented with a scroll of the Salmond family tree that staff had traced back to the 16th century.
The centre is run by the Family History Society of Buchan, which was formed to promote the study of genealogy within the Buchan area.
Mr Salmond said he was fascinated with his family tree and told the Buchan Observer: "There's very much an upsurge of interest in genealogy and I think genealogical tourism is a great idea.
"A very substantial number of visitors to Scotland come with the intent to research their background and in the year of Homecoming it is particularly important.
"The Homecoming is about reconnecting Scotland with its international family in the same way that the family centre here helps connect people with their ancestors."
The centre has already had visitors from Canada and Australia from people keen to trace their Scottish roots.
Councillor Anne Allan, chair of the Family History Society of Buchan, said: "Tracing your family history can give you a greater understanding of the lives and times of ancestors who lived hundreds of years ago - and possibly even thousands of miles away."
Records of the 1841 and 1851 Aberdeenshire census as well as poor law, birth, death, marriage and school admission records are held at the centre for visitors to search using the latest technology.
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