21 July 2023
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Forester's gravestone, St Mary of the Storms, Cowie Symbols showing the occupation of the deceased © Martyn Gorman, CCASA 2.0
MyHeritage has announced the addition to its database of more than half a million Scottish gravestone and memorial records from the 18th and 19th centuries.
This collection at MyHeritage offers a wealth of information derived from headstones and memorials across Scotland. It includes photographs and transcriptions detailing key life events and familial relationships of many individuals with connections to Scotland. Transcriptions may contain:
- names of relatives
- birth dates
- death dates
The collection is particularly significant due to the cultural uniqueness of Scottish gravestones from the 18th and 19th centuries. The accompanying photographs often showcase intricate symbols carved in soft sandstone, symbolising aspects of the deceased’s life such as their occupation or trade.
JOIN THE History Scotland 'DISCOVER YOUR SCOTTISH ANCESTORS STUDY AFTERNOON' ON 21 OCTOBER 2023 ON ZOOM. FIND OUT MORE HERE
One gravestone that can be found in this collection is that of Adam Smith, the renowned Scottish economist, philosopher and author, often hailed as the father of modern economics. Smith fundamentally shaped our understanding of market dynamics through his concept of “the invisible hand,” which suggests that free markets self-regulate through supply and demand, minimizing the need for governmental intervention. In the Scotland, Gravestones and Memorials collection on MyHeritage, you can find a photograph of his gravestone (shown above) in the Canongate Kirkyard on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
To access the above collection, you will need a subscription to MyHeritage. Find out more here.
(Adam Smith gravestone copyright Stanley Howe, Geography Project)
