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The Moray Burial Ground Research Group |
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Latest Publication - April 2009. |
Ancestor Indices - Click
here
to search for your ancestors, by surname or maiden surname
in our MI abstract/photo databases containing some
29, 500 names, ranging from the 1400's to 2008.
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 number of sites we have researched to date, either in whole or in part, continues to grow, and is now too lengthy to include on this page. For a detailed list of all sites, see 'Research Progress', or the Burial Ground Status (Google) Map
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: Sun 28 Jun 09