Death Records prior 1855

[moyawarr]

Can anyone tell me where to look for death records prior to 1855.  Are they held by the church, and is there a church and cemetery in either North or South Leith, or were all records kept in Edinburgh. Many thanks  Moya (Australia)

[Little Nell]

Hi Moya,

The Old Parish Registers (OPRs) have mostly been deposited at New Register House in Edinburgh.  However, unlike the baptisms and marriages, the burial records are not available online to view.  There are lots of churches in Leith and a number of cemeteries.  You might like to look at this site:
http://www.leithhistory.co.uk/
Lots of useful information and photos and links to other sites, including some history.

Nell

[Boongie Pam]

In my experience burial records within the old parish registers are little more than an accountants list. 

Some clerics kept a list of monies received for mortcloths, coffins and headstones.  Some list ages but many don't so it is very difficult prove an entry is yours.

I think the lack of burial records is teh driver why many FHS have focused on transcribing memorial inscriptions.  This may be a better avenue to explore?

Pam
 

[Anni B]

This can possibly be linked to from the leithhistory site, but just in case:

http://www.oldnewhaven.org/

Loads of family trees and info on the Newhaven area of North Leith.

Anne