The Moray Burial Ground Research Group
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A Warm Welcome to the MBGRG

Would you like to uncover the forgotten, lost or hidden heritage and history of some of Moray's inhabitants who lived and died before the United States of America existed, or even when Scotland was still a Kingdom? 

Yes! - then this may be for you.

Our voluntary group was formed in 2003 with the task of surveying every burial ground in Moray, which also includes part of the old county of Banff. This is indeed a monumental task as there are in the region of 140 cemeteries, both public and private to be studied! The  MBGRG is a full member of the Scottish Association of Family History Societies (SAFHS), and we work in consultation with the Council for Scottish Archaeology (CSA), Historic Scotland (HS), Moray Council, and the Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historic Monuments of Scotland (RCAMS)

The published results of our research will, it is hoped, benefit genealogists, family, local and social historians, as well as archaeologists, those involved in the conservation of burial grounds and other disciplines. Financial support has so far been provided by the Carved Stones Advisor Project, the National Lottery "Awards for All" scheme, and Moray Council. 

Although much computer and other related work is carried on behind the scenes, including historical research in various archival centres, most of our research takes place in churchyards or cemeteries. Here we plot every tombstone onto a plan of each site. We then write out the full inscription from each memorial, at the same time taking suitable photographs and making appropriate scale drawings, which are taken for accuracy checks, as well as archival and illustration purposes. By using a specific methodology, created largely by our group, we search for buried tombstones up to approximately 6" (15cms) below the grass surface. After full recording, these stones are then covered up again for safety and preservation purposes. 

The sites we have researched either in whole or in part, so far include Alves, Bellie, Birnie, Buitternach, Burghead (Grant Street), Dallas, Dipple, Downan, Drainie (on RAF Lossiemouth), Essil, Glenrinnes (Mortlach), Gordonstoun Michael Kirk, Innes House, Kinneddar, Knock of Alves, Pluscarden Abbey and Church, Lhanbryde, Lossiemouth, Rafford Churchyard and Cemetery, Spynie, St Andrews Kirkhill, Tombae and Urquhart, while at present we are working at  Boharm, Botriphnie, Duffus, Dyke, Elgin Cathedral, Forres Cluny Hill, Glenlivet (several) and Lossiemouth.

Help us to create a new awareness of generations long departed.

I hope you enjoy browsing or searching our Web Site.

For further general information, and membership details, visit the  'Contact Us' page, or leave a message in our

Keith L Mitchell, FSA Scot, MBGRG, Chairman.

Date last modified: Mon 05 May 08