Scotland - Death - 1559-1840

1. Church of Scotland: Church records Church records are the christenings or baptisms, marriages, and burials recorded in registers by church officials at the time of an event. Death or burial records usually give only the name of the deceased and the date of burial. Sometimes the date of death and the deceased's age, residence, and parent or spouse's name may be given. A widow's burial record may give her maiden name. Church of Scotland parish registers are often missing burial records. Sometimes mortcloth dues (a fee paid for use of a funeral cloth) were recorded instead of burials.

What you are looking for Your ancestor's name in Church of Scotland records.

Why go to the next record You may want to go to the next record because:

1. You did not find any information in the above record. 2. You found information but it conflicts with what you know. 3. You found information but would like to find additional details.

2. Dissenters: Church records Anyone who did not adhere to the teachings of the Established Church of Scotland was considered a nonconformist or a dissenter. Dissenters could also include people who belonged to religious organizations that broke from the Established church. Dissenter groups kept separate records. In these records you may find baptisms, marriages, minutes of meetings, communion rolls, and other records of value.

What you are looking for Your ancestor's name in Dissenter church records.

Why go to the next record You may want to go to the next record because:

1. You did not find any information in the above record. 2. You found information but it conflicts with what you know. 3. You found information but would like to find additional details.

3. Kirk Session: Church records The Kirk session is the lowest ecclesiastical court of the Presbyterian Church, held on the parish level. It consists of the minister and a number of elders of the parish. The records deal with the business and organization of the parish and discipline of members. They may include lists of communicants, accounts of money paid to the poor, testimonials of persons moving from one parish to another, and details about illegitimate births and alleged fathers.

What you are looking for Your ancestor's name in kirk session records.

Why go to the next record You may want to go to the next record because:

1. You did not find any information in the above record. 2. You found information but it conflicts with what you know. 3. You found information but would like to find additional details.