Notes

Early Scottish Death Certificates

Scottish death certificates are far superior to the English and Welsh ones, containing much more information and are a compensation for their later introduction; English and Welsh civil registration having started in 1837. An 1855 death certificate is a gem of a discovery for the genealogist on account of the detail that they contain. 1855 death records show the date, time and place of death, deceased's name, sex, marital status, age and occupation, cause of death, duration of last illness, doctor's name and details of the informant. In addition, they show the usual residence, the deceased's place of birth, spouse's name, parents' names, occupations and whether they were deceased, names and ages of children or age and year of death if the child pre-deceased the parent. Up to 1860, the place of burial, the name of the undertaker and when the doctor last saw the deceased alive, were also included. As with births and marriages, this amount of detail had proved difficult to maintain. The deceased's birthplace was removed from 1856, as were the names of any children. The spouses name was also not required from 1856 but was reinstated in 1861.

Andrew Henderson (1766-1855)

Andrew lived to the ripe old age of 90 and had the good grace to die in 1855, the first year of civil registration in Scotland. His death certificate provides a wealth of information.

Andrew Adamson (1808-1856)

Andrew died in 1856, by which time the amount of detail required had been reduced. His death certificate omits his birthplace, details of his children and his spouse's name. However, it does show details of his burial and when the doctor last saw him.