Burials in Scotland

steiner · Post by **steiner** » Fri May 29, 2009 11:44 am

We all have relatives who died pre 1855. Some burial records are available for some parishes and that is invaluable.

I know that some records of burials were never kept. It always amazes me that people lived in a town - Kilmarnock from say 1750 - 1830 and they had a few quid but there is no record of any death or stone in the churchyard you know were in use at the time.

Did they bury people in unmarked graves or is it simply if they couldn't afford a stone there is no record?

Post by **Anne H** » Fri May 29, 2009 3:59 pm

Hi Steiner,

There are many reasons why we can't find our ancestors. Could be that burial records were never kept, lost or destroyed. Even where there are burial records, because of the minimal information that's recorded, it's difficult to tell if the record pertains to your ancestor. As to gravestones - yes, they could be in unmarked graves with no written record and many people just wouldn't have been able to afford one.

Have you tried looking through any of the MI transcription booklets that are on sale? Can't remember the link offhand where you can purchase them...maybe someone else can help with that.

I'm not sure if Kilmarnock is on this site but take a look anyway, it is an absolutely fantastic resource... http://www.memento-mori.co.uk./

Regards,
Anne H

Rach · Post by **Rach** » Fri May 29, 2009 6:19 pm

Hi Steiner,
You can buy the pre-1855 M.I's at scotsgenealogy.com and then look for the link to their online shop. Also some parishes have mortcloth records but don't know if many have been transcribed. Perhaps you will find that information on Genuki.
Rae

Post by **HeatherH** » Sat May 30, 2009 2:24 am

Try the Kirk Sessions they sometimes mention a death or burial or rental of a mortcloth.
Heather

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sun May 31, 2009 11:23 pm

Hi Steiner
You may also find some areas of intrest in the TS library:
Deaths in the OPRs
http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4510
Deaths before 1855 - Monumental Inscriptions
http://talkingscot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4556

Best wishes
Lesley

steiner · Post by **steiner** » Mon Jun 01, 2009 12:37 pm

Thanks to all who replied. I'll be looking at the links provided. Thanks again