help needed with Old Parish records

[frances13]

I have successfully downloaded the excerpts from the Parish records, but I am mystified by some of the terms.
The seem to show maiden name for the wife, and some are classified as wife of..., but what does it mean when it says "Reled" I presume means related, instead of wife.

I am looking at death certificates and my Ancestor is the only one with  a MR in front of his Christan name, was this because of his standing in the community? he was comptroller of customs at Bo'ness.

On the birth certificates it states babies as natural or lawful. Is natural with no named father and lawful with a father?

The Scottish records are a little different from the English ones hence my lack of knowledge.

Thank you
Frances

[oldtimer]

Hi Frances

Are you sure it doesn't say "relict" i.e. a widow.

[apanderson]

I would agree with Judy that it's likely to be 'relict'.

Lawful child = parents married
Natural child = parents unmarried (to each other) 

Having 'Mr.' would indicate that he did indeed have some standing.

Anne

[frances13]

Thank you, I will have another look at the excerpts.  I have not come across the term relict before.

Thank you for your help
Frances

[terianne]

relict is an old scots word for Widow - you see it on various records and gravystone.

with regards to the MR before his name - in general that may mean Mister as in esq means esquire - generally of high standing, but you meaning he worked for Customs. it may to a abbrevation related to his job - his rank - such as Minister of Revenue or the like.

[frances13]

Thank you, he was Comptroller of Customs at Bo'ness at that time having a collector of customs underneath him.

frances