A gazetteer is a geographical dictionary or directory, an important reference for information about places and place-names -- ideal for learning about places as they were known at the time that the gazetteer was published. Especially useful when used in conjuction with maps and atlas from the same period. Family historians treasure gazetters because they assist them in satisfying the genealogical standard of recording a place name as it was known at the time of an event, such as at the date of birth/death of an ancestor. When this work was compiled in 1882, the Rev. John Wilson and his publishers sought to create a definitive work that "would supply a long-felt want; namely a Gazetteer of Scotland, extensive enough to embrace every Town and Village in the Country, of any importance...and yet portable in form..." To add value to the work, the compiler extracted population and other information from the 1881 Census Returns. A windfall for anyone researching 19th century Scotland for geographic, genealogical or historical interest. Gazetteer Of Scotland, 1882 also provides statistics of real property, notices of public works, public buildings, churches, schools, and much more. The natural history and historical incidents connected with particular localities have also been included in many entries.