This topic has been discussed on RC before and, just to refresh everyone's memory, here are the burial records from Cambusnethan old churchyard and the adjoining cemetery. Also, another picture of the headstone.
First of all, the plot owned by James McKinlay in 1844 is in the old churchyard, not the cemetery. Much of the churchyard has been cordoned off due to the unsafe nature of the 17th century ruined church and the surrounding headstones. This particular stone is situated at the very front part of the burial ground, between the ruins and the main road, a few stones away from the famous "Giant Baby" headstone. It may be possible, with care, to access this area.
This plot could not have originally belonged to the McKinlay family. James may have purchased it from a previous owner or, it may have belonged to the McNeil family and he inherited it through Mary. My reason for this is, James' parents are not buried here. They are together in a plot in the new cemetery, in an area reserved for short-term leases. People could buy a plot in this ground for a period of 20 years. It would probably be reused after that time. I do not know how exactly this method worked but, that's where they are. They are in plot 135.
Margaret was buried there on 13th February 1865 aged 74 years. Her parents were James Stewart & Grace Cunningham.
William was buried on 12th August 1867 aged 83 years, his occupation was given as "hostler", which I think, is something to do with stabling horses. (We have had this conversation on this List already about this occupation, it was this that jogged my memory).
William's parents were William McKinlay & Marion Scott.
There are several children belonging to James McKinlay and Mary McConnell (or sometimes McConville) buried in the old churchyard during the 1860s. James was buried there on 18th August 1871 aged 55 years, occupation colliery manager, address - Fernigair House. His parents were William McKinlay & Margaret Stewart.
The next plot to the McKinlay one was owned by the Sneddon family and there is an infant McKinlay girl buried in it, Margaret aged 1 year, 18th April 1898. The plot book doesn't list parents, which is too bad.
Ann1eg, I can find no reference to the McKinlay/Gardner marriage that you mention. What sort of time period was this? And, what makes you think there is a connection to this particular McKinlay family?
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