\\ DISCONTINUED / ABANDONED //
I don't really check in on the Nexus or play Skyrim these days, so for those who run into issues feel free to take the edits and run with them, upload different versions etc. I realise that to players and not modders that sounds like work, but I'll emphasize that this is a really simple mod and easy to do.
As far as updating the mod goes not too much should change, so this mod should still work, but I'm not keeping tabs on the changes so I can't say for certain.

TheLostDeathKnight has uploaded a version which works with dawnguard vampires, along with a few other tweaks: http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/33795

A small mod that changes the way your Race affects your skills.
You will no longer start the game with 10 less levels to gain in your Race's "specialised" area, instead, the bonus is added as a fortify effect, meaning a wood elf with max archery skill will be 10% better than an orc with max archery skill.

To be clear, I'll explain how Skyrim adds racial traits by default.
When choosing your level 1 character, you start at the lowest skill level (15). Then, depending on your race, your skills are 'bumped up' by a pre-determined value.
What I have done, is remove that boost, and added it instead as a bonus on top of your base skill level.
So even though you'll be starting at, say, level 15 archery for a wood elf, your level 15 archery will be +10 levels better than an orc's level 15 archery. Meaning you can level up the maximum 85 times even in your race's main skill area.

This mod adds a new racial effect to each race, modifying the relevant skills. The skills modified will be highlighted in the skills menu as are all fortified skill increases.


These effects are retroactive, so don't worry about them not applying to save games. It will not rob any skill levels from you either!

Hope you like, feedback appreciated!

User Lasyan3 has uploaded a translation, for those of you French inclined:
http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/31825

Installation:
Use Nexus Mod Manager!
Manually - just put the .esp file in your Skyrim/Data directory, then check the file in the Data Files section of the game launcher.

Uninstallation:
1. Load your save with the mod active
2. Enter the console command "player.resurrect"
3. Save and exit
4. Disable the mod through NMM or whatever mod manager you use, and load.

Version History:
v1.0 - Initial release
v1.1 - Character's main stat listed in active effects
v1.1a - Revised above
v1.2 - Cleaned with TESVSnip, made some hidden effects visible, ACTUALLY UPLOADED 1.2, =/ and made sure each race had only one effect visible.

Full list of racial traits:

Argonian:
Lockpicking 10
Pickpocket 5
Sneak 5
Light Armor 5
Alteration 5
Restoration 5

Breton:
Conjuration 10
Illusion 5
Restoration 5
Speech 5
Alchemy 5
Alteration 5

Dark Elf:
Destruction 10
Alteration 5
Illusion 5
Sneak 5
Light Armor 5
Alchemy 5

High Elf:
Illusion 10
Alteration 5
Conjuration 5
Destruction 5
Restoration 5
Enchanting 5

Imperial:
Restoration 10
Destruction 5
Enchanting 5
One-handed 5
Block 5
Heavy Armor 5

Khajiit:
Sneak 10
Lockpicking 5
Pickpocket 5
Alchemy 5
One-handed 5
Archery 5

Nord:
Two-handed 10
One-handed 5
Block 5
Smithing 5
Speech 5
Light Armor 5

Orc:
Heavy Armor 10
Smithing 5
One-handed 5
Two-handed 5
Block 5
Enchanting 5

Redguard:
One-handed 10
Archery 5
Block 5
Smithing 5
Destruction 5
Alteration 5

Wood Elf:
Archery 10
Sneak 5
Lockpicking 5
Pickpocket 5
Light Armor 5
Alchemy 5