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Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland Genealogy: Difference between revisions
Assynt, Sutherland, Scotland Genealogy (view source)
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''[[Scotland]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Sutherland, Scotland|Sutherland]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] Assynt'' | |||
<span style="font-weight: bold">Parish #44</span> | <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]]. | ||
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= History = | = History = | ||
ASSYNT, a '''parish''', in the county of Sutherland, 30 miles (N. W. by W.) from Dornoch; containing the quoad sacra district of Stoer, and the village of Lochinver. This place, which is supposed to take its name from its irregular boundary line, the Gaelic term, as ''agus innte'', signifying "out and in," was once a forest of the ancient thanes of Sutherland. The church, a small building, seating about 280 persons, is inconveniently situated at a distance of nine miles from the southern boundary of the parish, the great bulk of the population residing at distances varying from 12 to 18 miles; it has been extensively repaired. There are two preaching stations, the one at Lochinver, fourteen miles from the church, and the other at Kyle side, nearly the same distance. A place of worship has been erected in connexion with the '''Free Church'''.<ref>Lewis, Samuel A., ''[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=43419#s4 A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland]'' (1846), pp. 499-514. Adapted. Date accessed: 7 August 2014.</ref> | |||
The word ''Assynt,'' is supposed to be a Gaelic compound, ''“ as agus innte,”'' signifying out and in, evidently referring to, and describing the general outline of the parish. Other derivations have been given, connected to legendary traditions; but this seems to be the preferred one. The parish is situated in the north-west part of the county of Sutherland, and is thus bounded: on the north, it is divided from the parish of Edderachillis, in the Reay country, by an arm of the sea of considerable breadth, called the Kyle, which runs between both parishes from west to east; on the east and south, by Kincardine, Creich, Lairg, and Lochbroom; and on the west, by the Atlantic. | The word ''Assynt,'' is supposed to be a Gaelic compound, ''“ as agus innte,”'' signifying out and in, evidently referring to, and describing the general outline of the parish. Other derivations have been given, connected to legendary traditions; but this seems to be the preferred one. The parish is situated in the north-west part of the county of Sutherland, and is thus bounded: on the north, it is divided from the parish of Edderachillis, in the Reay country, by an arm of the sea of considerable breadth, called the Kyle, which runs between both parishes from west to east; on the east and south, by Kincardine, Creich, Lairg, and Lochbroom; and on the west, by the Atlantic. | ||
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The MacNicols once held the Island of Lewis and Assynt. Their ownership passed through marriage to the MacLeods in 1343. A younger MacLeod son received the lands of Assynt. Then the MacKensies of Ross-shire bought, invaded, and took over Assynt in 1672. The MacKensies held the estate until their bankruptcy in 1739. The Sutherland family bought Assynt in 1757. | |||
There is no market-town within the parish; neither have any markets been established. Lochinver is the only village. The Sutherland family established Lochinver as a planned village in 1812, with hopes of encouraging employment in small-scale manufacturing, kelp-harvesting, and salmon fishing. | |||
There is no market-town within the parish; neither have any markets been established. Lochinver is the only village. The Sutherland family established Lochinver as a planned village in 1812, with hopes of encouraging employment in small-scale manufacturing, kelp-harvesting, and salmon fishing. | |||
There are no printed of manuscript accounts of Assynt so far as known. Various traditions, however, speak of individuals, noted in their day, living in or connected with the parish. Among these would be Neil Macleod, who resided at Ardvrack Castle, built on the banks of Loch Assynt. | There are no printed of manuscript accounts of Assynt so far as known. Various traditions, however, speak of individuals, noted in their day, living in or connected with the parish. Among these would be Neil Macleod, who resided at Ardvrack Castle, built on the banks of Loch Assynt. | ||
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''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 {{FHL|the new statistical account of scotland|title|disp=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 {{FHL|the new statistical account of scotland|title|disp=Family History Library.}} | ||
= Census Records<br> = | = Census Records<br> = | ||
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]] . | ||
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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 [[Scotland Church Records|church records]]. | The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about [[Scotland Church Records|church records]]. | ||
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== Established Church—Old Parochial Registers == | == Established Church—Old Parochial Registers == | ||
{| | {| width="330" border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <u>Record Type</u> | | <u>Record Type</u> | ||
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==== 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 [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1®ion=EUROPE Historical Records of FamilySearch.org]. Type "Scotland" in the search box to see the Scotland records.<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 {{FHL|941 K23b|disp=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 [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1®ion=EUROPE Historical Records of FamilySearch.org]. Type "Scotland" in the search box to see the Scotland records.<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 {{FHL|941 K23b|disp=941 K23b}}. | ||
== Established Church—Kirk Session Records == | == Established Church—Kirk Session Records == | ||
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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 | ||
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'''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{{FHL|918572|film|disp=# 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{{FHL|918572|film|disp=# 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 [https://familysearch.org/#form=catalog catalog] for the 'Place-names' 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 [https://familysearch.org/#form=catalog catalog] for the 'Place-names' of Sutherland and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of Caithness. | ||
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Read more about [[Scotland Probate Records|Scotland Probate Records.]] | Read more about [[Scotland Probate Records|Scotland Probate Records.]] | ||
= '''References''' = | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
Return to Sutherland [[Sutherland, Scotland Parishes|parish list.]]<br> | Return to Sutherland [[Sutherland, Scotland Parishes|parish list.]]<br> | ||
[[Category:Sutherland]] | [[Category:Sutherland]] | ||