1,707
edits
Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland Genealogy (view source)
Revision as of 11:38, 22 April 2009
, 22 April 2009no edit summary
(history) |
mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
<span style="font-weight: bold | <span style="font-weight: bold">Parish #44</span> | ||
This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Assynt. To learn more about how to use these records to search for your ancestors, go to the [[Scotland: Research Strategies for Locating Births, Marriages and Deaths|Scotland: Research Strategies]]. | This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Assynt. To learn more about how to use these records to search for your ancestors, go to the [[Scotland: Research Strategies for Locating Births, Marriages and Deaths|Scotland: Research Strategies]]. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
= History = | = History = | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
This account was drawn up November 1837, and revised March 1840. | This account was drawn up November 1837, and revised March 1840. | ||
'''Source:''' ''New Statistical Account of Scotland ''for Assynt, | '''Source:''' ''New Statistical Account of Scotland ''for Assynt, Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941+B4sa 941 B4sa], series 2, vol. 15.<br> | ||
<br> | |||
''The New Statistical Account of Scotland'' (pub. 1834-45) offers uniquely rich and detailed parish reports for the whole of Scotland, covering a vast range of topics including history, agriculture, education, trades, religion and social customs. The reports, written by the parish ministers, are available online at [http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/ http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/]. Click on ‘Browse scanned pages’ then search the parish you are interested in. Also available at the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&title=the+new+statistical+account+of+scotland&pretitle=the+new+statistical+account+of+scotland Family History Library.] | |||
''The New Statistical Account of Scotland'' (pub. 1834-45) offers uniquely rich and detailed parish reports for the whole of Scotland, covering a vast range of topics including history, agriculture, education, trades, religion and social customs. The reports, written by the parish ministers, are available online at [http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/ http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/]. Click on ‘Browse scanned pages’ then search the parish you are interested in. Also available at the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&title=the+new+statistical+account+of+scotland&pretitle=the+new+statistical+account+of+scotland Family History Library.] | |||
= Census Records<br> = | = Census Records<br> = | ||
| Line 37: | Line 37: | ||
A census is a count and description of the population, taken by the government, arranged by locality and by household. Read more about [[Scotland Census|census records]] . | A census is a count and description of the population, taken by the government, arranged by locality and by household. Read more about [[Scotland Census|census records]] . | ||
Click [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=649682&disp=Census+returns+for+Assynt+%28parish+44%2%20%20&columns=*,0,0 here] to go to the Family History Library Catalog entry for the census records of Assynt. The Family History Library has a surname index to the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=734153&disp=1881+census+of+Scotland+%5Btranscription%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1881] census of the whole of Sutherland county. | Click [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=649682&disp=Census+returns+for+Assynt+%28parish+44%2%20%20&columns=*,0,0 here] to go to the Family History Library Catalog entry for the census records of Assynt. The Family History Library has a surname index to the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=734153&disp=1881+census+of+Scotland+%5Btranscription%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1881] census of the whole of Sutherland county. | ||
The 1901 census of Scotland is indexed on [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk]. To use it, you must register and pay a small access fee. All available censuses, 1841-1901, are indexed on this website. It may be easier for you to pay to use the website rather than access the separate indexes through the library. | The 1901 census of Scotland is indexed on [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk]. To use it, you must register and pay a small access fee. All available censuses, 1841-1901, are indexed on this website. It may be easier for you to pay to use the website rather than access the separate indexes through the library. | ||
= Church Records<br> | = Church Records<br> = | ||
The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Church_Records church records.] | The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Church_Records church records.] | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
== Established Church—Old Parochial Registers == | == Established Church—Old Parochial Registers == | ||
{| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1 | {| cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" width="330" border="0" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <u>Record Type</u> | | <u>Record Type</u> | ||
| <u>Years Covered</u> | | <u>Years Covered</u> | ||
| <u> | | <u>Family History Library Film Number</u> | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Births:''' | | '''Births:''' | ||
| 1798-1854 | | 1798-1854 | ||
| 0990560 Item 1 | | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=0990560 0990560] Item 1 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Marriages:''' | | '''Marriages:''' | ||
| 1798-1854 | | 1798-1854 | ||
| 0990560 Item 1 | | [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=0990560 0990560] Item 1 | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''Deaths:''' | | '''Deaths:''' | ||
| Line 68: | Line 68: | ||
|} | |} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
==== Condition of Original Registers—<br> | ==== Condition of Original Registers—<br> ==== | ||
'''Index:''' For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true International Genealogical Index.]<br>'''Marriages:''' Form of entries is somewhat peculiar, generally containing a reference to the "consignation money".<br>'''Source:''' ''Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland'', by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b. | '''Index:''' For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=igi/search_IGI.asp&clear_form=true International Genealogical Index.]<br>'''Marriages:''' Form of entries is somewhat peculiar, generally containing a reference to the "consignation money".<br>'''Source:''' ''Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland'', by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=941+K23b 941 K23b]. | ||
== Established Church—Kirk Session Records == | == Established Church—Kirk Session Records == | ||
| Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
The Kirk session was the court of the parish. The session was made up of he minister and the land owners and business men of the parish, chosen to serve on the session. The Kirk session dealt with moral issues, minor criminal cases, matters of the poor and education, matters of discipline, and the general concerns of the parish. Kirk session records may also mention births, marriages, and deaths. | The Kirk session was the court of the parish. The session was made up of he minister and the land owners and business men of the parish, chosen to serve on the session. The Kirk session dealt with moral issues, minor criminal cases, matters of the poor and education, matters of discipline, and the general concerns of the parish. Kirk session records may also mention births, marriages, and deaths. | ||
'''Here is a list of the surviving Kirk session records for this parish:'''<br> | '''Here is a list of the surviving Kirk session records for this parish:'''<br> | ||
Minutes 1818–1843<br>'''Note:''' Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/894 | Minutes 1818–1843<br>'''Note:''' Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/894 | ||
== Nonconformist Church Records == | == Nonconformist Church Records == | ||
| Line 88: | Line 88: | ||
=== Assynt Free Church === | === Assynt Free Church === | ||
'''History—'''<br>Charles Gordon, minister of the parish, and almost the whole congregation, "came out" in 1843. Neither site nor house for the minister and his family could at first be got in the parish. The Duke of Sutherland refused a site, and when one was granted by a neighboring proprietor, he tried to prevent the people from using the quarries on his estate. In a few years church and manse were built 14 miles from the old church and 2-1/2 miles from Lochinver village. In 1878, to meet the necessities of the people, a church was erected at Elphine and, in 1893 a church and manse close to Lochinver. School buildings were also provided. Assynt was, for many decades, a stronghold of the 'Separatists'. The people, many of whom had remarkable mental and spiritual gifts separated from the church because of the moderatism that prevailed in the Highlands. Their attitude towards the regular ministry was critical and suspicious; and their teaching, especially in regard to the Communion, often very narrow. They left a deep mark on this and other parishes, owing to the strength of their leaders called 'the men'. <br>'''Membership:''' 1850, 362; 1900, 24. <br>'''Source:''' ''Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900'', ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film # 918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers. | '''History—'''<br>Charles Gordon, minister of the parish, and almost the whole congregation, "came out" in 1843. Neither site nor house for the minister and his family could at first be got in the parish. The Duke of Sutherland refused a site, and when one was granted by a neighboring proprietor, he tried to prevent the people from using the quarries on his estate. In a few years church and manse were built 14 miles from the old church and 2-1/2 miles from Lochinver village. In 1878, to meet the necessities of the people, a church was erected at Elphine and, in 1893 a church and manse close to Lochinver. School buildings were also provided. Assynt was, for many decades, a stronghold of the 'Separatists'. The people, many of whom had remarkable mental and spiritual gifts separated from the church because of the moderatism that prevailed in the Highlands. Their attitude towards the regular ministry was critical and suspicious; and their teaching, especially in regard to the Communion, often very narrow. They left a deep mark on this and other parishes, owing to the strength of their leaders called 'the men'. <br>'''Membership:''' 1850, 362; 1900, 24. <br>'''Source:''' ''Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900'', ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=918572 # 918572]. More details may be given in the source, including ministers. | ||
'''Records—'''<br>No known pre–1855 records. | '''Records—'''<br>No known pre–1855 records. | ||
| Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
=== Stoer Free Church === | === Stoer Free Church === | ||
'''History—'''<br>Peter Davidson, minister of Stoer, and a large number of his people, adhered to the Free Church at the Disruption. At the settlement of Mr. Davidson's successor in 1848, the district of Klyeside was disjoined from Assynt and annexed to Stoer. Church and manse were provided.<br>'''Membership:''' 1859, 600; 1900, 17. <br>'''Source:''' ''Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900,'' ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film # 918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers. | '''History—'''<br>Peter Davidson, minister of Stoer, and a large number of his people, adhered to the Free Church at the Disruption. At the settlement of Mr. Davidson's successor in 1848, the district of Klyeside was disjoined from Assynt and annexed to Stoer. Church and manse were provided.<br>'''Membership:''' 1859, 600; 1900, 17. <br>'''Source:''' ''Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900,'' ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=918572 # 918572]. More details may be given in the source, including ministers. | ||
= Civil Registration Records<br> | = Civil Registration Records<br> = | ||
Government or civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths (also called statutory records) began on January 1, 1855 in Scotland. Each parish has a registrar's office and large cities have several. The records are created by the registrars and copies are sent to the General Register Office in Edinburgh. Annual indexes are then created for the records for the whole country. | Government or civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths (also called statutory records) began on January 1, 1855 in Scotland. Each parish has a registrar's office and large cities have several. The records are created by the registrars and copies are sent to the General Register Office in Edinburgh. Annual indexes are then created for the records for the whole country. | ||
See the article on [[Scotland Civil Registration- Vital Records|Scotland Civil Registration]] for more information and to access the records.<br> | See the article on [[Scotland Civil Registration- Vital Records|Scotland Civil Registration]] for more information and to access the records.<br> | ||
= Probate Records<br> | = Probate Records<br> = | ||
Assynt was under the probate jurisdiction of the Commissary Court of Caithess until 1823, and since then has been under the Sheriff's Court of Dornoch. Probate records for 1513- 1901 are indexed online at [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.] You must register on the website but use of the index to probate records, called 'Wills & Testaments,' is free. You may then purchase a copy of the document or, if the document is before 1823, it will be on microfilm at the Family History Library. To find the microfilm numbers, search in the library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitysearch&columns=*,0,0 catalog] for the 'Place' of Sutherland and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of Caithness. | Assynt was under the probate jurisdiction of the Commissary Court of Caithess until 1823, and since then has been under the Sheriff's Court of Dornoch. Probate records for 1513- 1901 are indexed online at [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk.] You must register on the website but use of the index to probate records, called 'Wills & Testaments,' is free. You may then purchase a copy of the document or, if the document is before 1823, it will be on microfilm at the Family History Library. To find the microfilm numbers, search in the library [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=localitysearch&columns=*,0,0 catalog] for the 'Place' of Sutherland and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of Caithness. | ||
| Line 110: | Line 110: | ||
Read more about [[Scotland Probate Records|Scotland Probate Records.]] | Read more about [[Scotland Probate Records|Scotland Probate Records.]] | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Return to Sutherland [[Sutherland, Scotland Parishes|parish list.]]<br><br><br> | Return to Sutherland [[Sutherland, Scotland Parishes|parish list.]]<br><br><br> | ||