Coldstream - Death records

[MarkEwen]

Hi all

I've got two death records from Coldtsream records, which have been taken from the ScotsPeople website.

One is Elisabeth Ewan (died 1814), and the second James Ewen (died 1850).  Just after a bit of info regarding the numbers etc. that appear on these.

On James' record there seems to be 3 columns, one showing the age at death and 2 others.  On Elisabeth's record there appears to be no record of age but then monetary columns recording a fee? In brackets next to Elisabeth's name is "poor", which I assume means no fee required?!?!

Any help appreciated. I can email the records through if anyone requires a better look.

thanks
Mark

[MonicaL]

Mark

I think what you are seeing on these entries are the variances of the OPR burial records. SP have useful help notes which are worthwhile you having a look at.

In regards of Elizabeth's entry, likely the monetary column would refer to the hire of the mort cloth. From SP:

Surviving registers may record the date of death or the date of burial or date of payment for hire of the mortcloth, but only one of these will appear in the index. There is no indication given in the index as to whether the entry alludes to a death or a burial or the mortcloth payment.

And..

In parishes where mortcloth dues are the only evidence of burial, such cases might have gone unrecorded. Sometimes there was no charge for use of the parish mortcloth, particularly if the family were poor.

There are more notes on this on SP, the above are just extracts.

Monica