Forfar, Angus, Scotland Genealogy: Difference between revisions

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'''Parish #288'''

Guide to '''Forfar''' history, family history, and genealogy: parish registers, census records, birth records, marriage records, and death records.

 

==History==

For more information about Aberlemno's geography, economy, history, education, and people, see the parish reports in [https://stataccscot.edina.ac.uk/static/statacc/dist/home ''The First and Second Statistical Accounts of Scotland''], or the ''Third Statistical Account'' for Angus {{FSC|941 B4sa 3rd ser. v. 26|disp=941 B4sa 3rd}}.

Scottish Censuses were taken every 10 years beginning in 1801. Beginning with the 1841 Census, each individual in the nation was enumerated at the location they slept on a particular day. For more information, including which day each census was taken, read about [[Scotland_Census|Scottish Census Records]].

Here is a list of the FS Library microfilm numbers for the {{FSC|632470|title-id|disp=census records of Forfar}} as well as the library numbers for any surname indexes available: <br>  

| <u>FS Library Film Number</u><br>  

| {{FSC|1042676|film|disp=1042676}}, {{FSC|1042677|film|disp=1042677}} <br>  

| {{FSC|6203961|film|disp=6203961}}<br>

| {{FSC|1042224|film|disp=1042224}} <br>  

| {{FSC|103790|film|disp=103790}} <br>  

| {{FSC|103946|film|disp=103946}} <br>  

| {{FSC|203492|film|disp=203492}} <br>  

| {{FSC|6086580|film|disp=6086580}} (12 fiche)<br>

| {{FSC|208720|film|disp=208720}}, {{FSC|208721|film|disp=208721}} <br>  

Indexes and images for the 1901, 1911, and 1921 censuses of Scotland are found on [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk ScotlandsPeople] ($). Registration is required and there is a small access fee per image. All available censuses, 1841-1921, are indexed on this website.

The Established Church in Scotland is the Church of Scotland, a Presbyterian denomination of Christianity. Church of Scotland records generally cover the period of time prior to 1855, when Civil Registration began. Unlike in England, Scottish law never mandated that vital events be registered with the established church. For more information, read about [[Scotland_Church_Records|Scottish Church Records]].

| <u>FamilySearch Library Film Number</u>

| {{FSC|0993430|film|disp=0993430}}

|  

| {{FSC|0993431|film|disp=0993431}}

| {{FSC|0993432|film|disp=0993432}}

| {{FSC|0993430|film|disp=0993430}}

| {{FSC|0993432|film|disp=0993432}}

| {{FSC|0993433|film|disp=0993433}}

===== Condition of Original Registers—  =====

'''Indexed:''' For an index to these records, see [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ Scotland’s People] website, a pay-for-view website. The Scottish Church Records Index is also still available at the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library] in Salt Lake City. Some records may also be indexed in other [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/location/1986318?region=Scotland FamilySearch collections] for Scotland.<br>'''Births:''' Records are blank April 1634– September 1636 and May 1638– October 1659. The first two pages 1633–1638 are partially destroyed and two pages 1693–1694. Entries July 1717–April 1722 are recorded twice. Mothers' names are not recorded until August 1758.<br>'''Marriages:''' Prior to October 1701 entries of contracts of marriage are mixed with records of birth. Records are blank from October 1701 to September 1705, when a separate record of proclamations is commenced. There is only one entry May 1710– May 1711 and they are blank September 1712–January 1714 and August 1715–April 1718. There are contracts of marriage 1711–1722 and the fact of marriage added to a few entries for 1718.<br>'''Deaths:''' Burial records are carelessly kept by the sexton.<br>'''Source:''' ''Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland'', by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book {{FSC|941 K23b|disp=941 K23b}}.

The kirk session was the court of the parish. The session was made up of the minister and the land owners and businessmen of the parish, chosen to serve on the session. It 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.

===Nonconformist Church Records===

A nonconformist church is any church that is not the established church (the Church of Scotland). For more information, read about [[Scotland_Church_Records_Union_Lists#Historical_Background|Scottish Nonconformity]].

'''History— '''<br>The Seceders in and about Forfar met for public worship at Dumbarrow until 1778, when on account of distance, they were formed at their own request into a separate congregation. A church was built in 1780. <br>'''Source:''' ''Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church,'' by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #{{FSC|477618|film|disp=477618}}. More details may be given in the source.  

'''History— '''<br>Those who "came out" in 1843 along with the minister of the parish formed the Free Church congregation. They worshiped for a time in the open air, or in the United Associate Church. Their own church was erected in 1843–1844. The old church was sold in 1881 when the congregation moved to the building on High Street.<br>'''Membership:''' 1848, 651; 1900, 665.<br>'''Source:''' ''Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900,'' ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #{{FSC|918572|film|disp=918572}}. More details may be given in the source.<br>'''Records—'''<br>Baptismal Register 1843–1854<br>Roll Book, Lists of Communicants 1839, 1841–1854<br>Minutes 1843–1906<br>Deacons’ Court Minutes 1843–1889<br>Other post–1855 records<br>'''Note:''' Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1530.  

'''History—'''<br>With the hearty concurrence of the office bearers of the first church, a second congregation was organized in Forfar in 1844. A local committee was formed and a missionary appointed in November of that year. The services were held in the Masons' Lodge. The charge was sanctioned in 1850. The church was erected in 1851.<br>'''Membership:''' 1849, 1885; 1900, 455. <br>'''Source:''' ''Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900,'' ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #{{FSC|918572|film|disp=918572}}. More details may be given in the source.  

'''History—'''<br>A church was formed in 1832 but it was joined to Letham the following year. That congregation was dissolved in 1886. A second Forfar congregation was formed in 1835 and erected a chapel on Osnaburg Street the same year. It may still be functioning.<br>'''Sources:''' ''A History of Scottish Congregationalism, ''by Harry Escott 1960, FamilySearch Library {{FSC|941 K2es|disp=941 K2es}}; and ''The Scottish Congregational'' '''Ministry,''' 1794–1993, by Rev. Dr. William D. McNaughton 1993, FamilySearch Library {{FSC|941 K2mwd|disp=941 K2mwd}}. Sources include names of ministers.  

'''History—'''<br>In 1661, the Rescissory Act deposed Presbyterianism in Scotland and re–established Episcopacy. A Bishop was consecrated at St. Andrew’s, an ancient Anglican see, and Episcopacy was strong in this part of Scotland. However, after the Presbyterian Revolution, and particularly after the 1715 and 1745 rebellions, adherents to the Episcopalian church were greatly persecuted and membership dwindled. From the mid 19th century, membership began to recover. There has been a church at Forfar certainly since the late 17th century, and maybe earlier. A chapel was erected in 1824. The current church building, dedicated to St. John the Evangelist was consecrated in 1881.<br>'''Sources:''' ''Sources for Scottish Genealogy and Family History'', by D.J. Steel (1970), Family History Library Ref. {{FSC|942 V26ste|disp=942 V26ste}} vol. 12, pp 196–201 and 244–8; also ''The Scottish Episcopal Church Year Book and Directory for 1965–66'', FamilySearch Library {{FSC|941 E4e|disp=941 E4e}}.  

Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland, ''Post Office Directories ''are avilable online. The directories available for Forfar are:  

==Civil Registration Records==

Government or civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths is called Statutory Registers in Scotland. The system began 1 January 1855, and each parish had a registrar's office, with large cities having several. Over time, districts merged and split due to changing populations and technological advancements. The system has largely stayed the same over time, with records being created by local registrars and copies sent to the General Register Office in Edinburgh. Initially annual indexes were published, but now these indexes are available online as soon as an event is registered. Many of these records are only available on [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk ScotlandsPeople] ($), however the years 1855-1875, 1881, and 1891 are {{FSC|79310|item|disp=available through FamilySearch}}(*). For more information, read about [[Scotland_Civil_Registration|Scottish Statutory Registers]].

==Probate Records==

Forfar was under the probate jurisdiction of the Commissary Court of St.Andrews until 1823, and since then has been under the Sheriff's Court of Dundee. Probate records for 1513- 1901 are indexed online at [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/?gclid=CLKJyYGQ4ZUCFQQCagod1gp0Ww www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk] . You must register on the website but use of the index to probate records, called 'Wills &amp; 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 FamilySearch Library. To find the microfilm numbers, search in the library [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog catalog] for the 'Place-names' of Angus and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of St.Andrews.<br><br>The library also has some post-1823 probate records for Angus. Look in the library [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog catalog] for the 'Place-names' of Angus and the subjects of 'Probate Records' and 'Probate Records - Indexes.' <br><br>Read more about [[Scotland Probate Records|Scotland Probate Records.]]

Return to [[Angus (or Forfarshire), Scotland Genealogy#Parishes|Angus Parishes.]]