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== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Cemetery records include: | ===Cemetery records include:=== | ||
*Kirk Session records of who is buried where, including plot maps. | *Kirk Session records of who is buried where, including plot maps. | ||
*Tombstone inscriptions, also called gravestone inscriptions or monumental inscriptions (M.I.). | *Tombstone inscriptions, also called gravestone inscriptions or monumental inscriptions (M.I.). | ||
Tombstone inscriptions are an important source in family history research. They may include | Tombstone inscriptions are an important source in family history research. They may include: | ||
*Birth and death information, and name of spouse. | |||
*Women in Scotland are named by their birth surname, even if married. | |||
*The stones sometimes give more information than the parish burial register or civil death certificate, | |||
*Military service, occupation, or cause of death. | |||
Tombstone inscriptions are especially helpful for identifying ancestors not found in other records, and often show several generations. Since relatives may be buried in adjoining plots, search the entire record. Gravestone inscriptions might not always be correct, but they often gives clues to other records to search. | |||
Since burial records in Scotland are scarce, gravestone inscriptions are particularly important. Even when burial records exist, gravestone inscriptions might provide information that the burial record does not, such as deaths abroad. | Since burial records in Scotland are scarce, gravestone inscriptions are particularly important. Even when burial records exist, gravestone inscriptions might provide information that the burial record does not, such as deaths abroad. | ||
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Most cemeteries before 1850 were kirkyards of the Church of Scotland. Even people who were not members were buried in the parish kirkyard, as it was meant to be all-inclusive.<br> | Most cemeteries before 1850 were kirkyards of the Church of Scotland. Even people who were not members were buried in the parish kirkyard, as it was meant to be all-inclusive.<br> | ||
== Finding Cemetery Records == | === Finding Cemetery Records === | ||
To find gravestone inscriptions, you need to know where an individual was buried. The person may have been buried in a kirkyard or a civil (local authority) cemetery—usually near the place where he or she lived or died. A person who died in another part of the country may have been brought to his home parish for burial. You can find clues to burial places in church records, death certificates (1855-1860), newspaper reports, or family histories. | To find gravestone inscriptions, you need to know where an individual was buried. The person may have been buried in a kirkyard or a civil (local authority) cemetery—usually near the place where he or she lived or died. A person who died in another part of the country may have been brought to his home parish for burial. You can find clues to burial places in church records, death certificates (1855-1860), newspaper reports, or family histories. | ||