Scotland and Northern Ireland, Death Index, 1989-2023

About the Scotland and Northern Ireland, Death Index, 1989-2023

General collection information

This collection contains an index of records for people who died in either Scotland or Northern Ireland between 1989 and 2023. A small number of records from Jersey and the Isle of Man are also included. This collection covers approximately 45 per cent of the deaths which occurred during this time period.

Using this collection

Records in this collection may contain the following information:

This collection contains excellent clues to help your research. Full death records will contain more details.

If you can't find a record, you may wish to confirm the location where the death occurred. Deaths are registered where the death occurred, not where the individual lived. You may also consider searching local newspapers for obituary listings. If you know your family member's religious affiliation, try searching local church records as many churches recorded deaths and burial information.

Collection in context

Statutory civil registration began in Scotland in 1855. Scottish civil records are held by the National Records for Scotland in Edinburgh, which was formed in 2011 when the General Register Office for Scotland merged with the National Archives of Scotland.

Civil registration for Ireland began in 1864. In Northern Ireland, death records are held at the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI). Per the law in Northern Ireland, death records are accessible to the public after fifty years.

Updates:

September 2019: Added new records and expanded collection to include 2018.

July 2020: Added new records and expanded collection to include 2019.

June 2020: Added new records and expanded collection to include 2020.

August 2024: Added new records and expanded collection to include 2023.

Bibliography

National Records of Scotland. "Birth, Death, and Marriage Records." Accessed 22 April 2024. https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/birth-death-and-marriage-records

National Records of Scotland. "Our History." Accessed 22 April 2024. https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/about-us/our-history

Northern Ireland Direct. "Archives for Family and Local History." Accessed 22 April 2024. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/archives-family-and-local-history

The National Archives. "Births, Marriages, and Deaths, in Scotland and Ireland." Accessed 22 April 2024. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/birth-marriage-death-scotland-and-ireland/

University of Glasgow. "Scottish Way of Birth and Death." Accessed 22 April 2024. https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/socialpolitical/research/economicsocialhistory/projects/scottishwayofbirthanddeath/introduction/