• The Local Registrar (1944-1984)

The Local Registrar (1944-1984)

For generations, registration of births, deaths and marriages was done locally by the school headmaster or minister. But this was not always the case. In 1944, the Registrar's Office could be found at 37 Holding at the home of Mrs Jane Clark, who filled the role. Her daughter-in-law, Mrs Wilma Clark, took over the responsibility when Mrs Clark senior retired. She recalls "in the early days, up to World War 11, births were mostly at home and marriages were either at home, in the local church or in the village hall. All of these events had to be registered in the parish. Deaths could be registered either at the parish of death or the parish of residence. However, things changed in the 1960's as small parishes were amalgamated, thus reducing the number of registrars required and, in 1984, all rural offices were closed and business transferred to Dundee office. The job was eventful and varied, the local registrar having no set hours for business and having to accommodate the public at any time".