Civil registration for deaths was introduced in Scotland from 1855 onwards. In addition to these records there exists burial administration records. Burial administration records (held by the respective Council's) do not exist prior to the year 1873 for Ayrshire. Unfortunately, those that do exist often have significant gaps. Gravestones therefore may be the only record of death up to the year 1855 when compulsary registration was implemented.

Currently AyrshireAncestors provide a fee paying searchable On-Line Monumental Inscription database. This database contains information for the following cemeteries:

The links listed below can be used to source information on other Ayrshire cemeteries currently not supported by Ayrshire Ancestors.

What type of information does the database hold?

The database returns the following information:

The following entry is a typical example:

What topics can I search?

The database is extremely easy to use and fully searchable allowing the user to search on any letters/numbers within the actual Monumental Inscription. Searchable topics may therefore include the following:

Additionally, a digital photograph of any headstone can be supplied if required. Please note however, that although some excellent photographs do exist, some headstones have produced poor quality photographs.

This database is continually evolving and will eventually be fully comprehensive for those cemeteries listed above. On completion of the above, other cemeteries are intended to be added.