The indices have been converted into PDF in the hope that this improves on the html as regards searching. Due to the vagaries in spelling during this period it’s advisable to consult all the indices.

OPR Deaths
ScotlandsPeople carries the following on the OPR Deaths: -
Do not expect too much from OPR death & burial records. The amount of information recorded can be variable and most entries contain very little detail. More often than not you will find only the name of the person who has died, with a date, and sometimes even just the surname. Such paucity of information can make it extremely difficult to pinpoint the correct person.

In the case of a mortcloth hire, there is usually a record of the payment made. Some parishes had several mortcloths for hire, of varying quality, including a childs one and the fee will vary accordingly. Sometimes you will find extra information.

Besides the name of the person who has died, the date of death and/or date of burial, you may find the name of a relative (e.g. spouse, father), the place or parish of residence, and sometimes the occupation of the person/father/spouse.

A few registers will give cause of death and some age at death. There may be more detail recorded on the death/burial of important and well-to-do members of the parish. There is a link to a sample image in the Dun Deaths.

Dun is a comparatively rare name now in the UK; with only 129 appearing on the 2005 Electoral Roll. It became clear that Dun had suffered the same fate as Ker and Scot with fashion adding an extra letter.

I was particularly interested in finding examples of when this change occurred – a comparison of births for the same family for Dun and Dunn show births being entered in the same family as Dun and Dunn with Dunn prevailing.

The graph shows male marriages from prior to 1700 to 1850 which clearliy shows this trend. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has an example of this change in their family.