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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Midlothian => Topic started by: Dargavel66 on Tuesday 26 November 24 14:47 GMT (UK)
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I would like to know how I can trace a relative who died while on a cruise possibly in the Caribbean and was buried at sea.
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I'm assuming the person concerned was domiciled in Scotland? And that you have a name, but no exact date of death and you don't know the name of the cruise ship?
I'd expect the death to be recorded in the Minor Records and indexed on Scotland's People www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
If it's not there, I'd try two approaches.
First, I would try to find a testament. Depending on how recent the death was, this could be quite a challenge. See https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/wills-and-testaments
Second, I would look for a newspaper announcement of the death on one of the web sites with access to digital versions of newspapers.
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Welcome to Rootschat
You haven't given any info as to approximately when this death occurred. It seems strange they would be buried at sea nowadays - the body is usually flown home unless there are financial or health reasons. Also - in some countries - permission/permit has to be obtained from the authorities for a burial at sea.
Was the person alone on the cruise or were they married with a surviving wife/children?
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I may be wrong here, but I thought a death at sea had to be reported at the next port of call?
As well as the captain's log.
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My uncle was a third engineer on a merchant ship. He died of a heart problem at sea in 1940. The death is recorded in series BT334- Registers and indexes of Births, Marriages and Deaths of Passengers and Seamen at sea in the National Archives.
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It might be easier if you tell us the who/what/when of what it is that you want to trace.