Jump to content

Scotland Church Records: Difference between revisions

Scotland Church Records (view source)

Revision as of 14:57, 10 January 2011

6,316 bytes removed ,  10 January 2011
moved info to other page
VisualWikitext
m (reworded this section)
(moved info to other page)
Line 3: Line 3:
Church records are an excellent source for accurate information on names, dates, and places of birth, marriage, and death. Most people in Scotland before the mid-nineteenth century are listed in church records. Since civil authorities did not begin registering vital statistics until 1855, church records are the best source of family information before that date.   
Church records are an excellent source for accurate information on names, dates, and places of birth, marriage, and death. Most people in Scotland before the mid-nineteenth century are listed in church records. Since civil authorities did not begin registering vital statistics until 1855, church records are the best source of family information before that date.   


== Understanding Church Organization  ==
== Understanding Church Organization  ==


[[Image:United Presbyterian Church at Stonehouse, Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|197x293px]]The Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland) has been the 'established' or state church of Scotland since 1690. The organization of the Church of Scotland is as follows:  
[[Image:United Presbyterian Church at Stonehouse, Scotland.jpg|thumb|right|197x293px]]The Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland) has been the 'established' or state church of Scotland since 1690. The organization of the Church of Scotland is as follows:  
Line 14: Line 14:
Each local parish (pairish, parochin) keeps records. The two major record types are ''parochial or parish registers'' and ''kirk session records''(see details below under '''Searching''').  
Each local parish (pairish, parochin) keeps records. The two major record types are ''parochial or parish registers'' and ''kirk session records''(see details below under '''Searching''').  


It ''may be'' necessary to know the parish where your ancestor was born, married, or died so you can search parish registers. If you do not know the parish but know the name of a village or town, you may use a gazetteer to locate the parish. For more information, read the article [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Gazetteers Scotland Gazetteers]. The gazetteers provide:  
For more information, see [[Scotland_Established_(Presbyterian)_Church_Records|Scotland Established (Presbyterian) Church Records]].
 
It ''may be'' necessary to know the parish where your ancestor was born, married, or died so you can search parish registers. If you do not know the parish but know the name of a village or town, you may use a gazetteer to locate the parish. For more information, read the article [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Gazetteers Scotland Gazetteers]. The gazetteers provide:  


*Maps show parish boundaries to help determine which parish records to search  
*Maps show parish boundaries to help determine which parish records to search  
*Identify neighboring parishes
*Identify neighboring parishes


=== Nonconformists <br> ===
=== Nonconformists ===


Any church that is not the established or state church is referred to as nonconformist. There were two categories of nonconformist churches in Scotland:  
Any church that is not the established or state church is referred to as nonconformist. There were two categories of nonconformist churches in Scotland:  
Line 28: Line 30:
Nonconformists had their own congregations and kept their own records. They could go to church whereever they wished and were not confined to parish boundaries. However, before 1834, nonconformist ministers were not authorized to perform marriages. After 1834 they could perform marriages if the banns had first been read in the parish church. Total authority was granted in 1855.  
Nonconformists had their own congregations and kept their own records. They could go to church whereever they wished and were not confined to parish boundaries. However, before 1834, nonconformist ministers were not authorized to perform marriages. After 1834 they could perform marriages if the banns had first been read in the parish church. Total authority was granted in 1855.  


For more background information&nbsp;on churches in Scotland, including a historical time-line, read the article [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Church_History Scotland Church History]. <!--{12055098579215} --><!--{12055098579216} --><!--{12055098579217} --><!--{12055098579218} -->
For more background information&nbsp;on churches in Scotland, including a historical time-line, read the article [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Church_History Scotland Church History].  


== Identifying Churches  ==
== Identifying Churches  ==
Line 36: Line 38:
*''Civil Parishes and Counties of North East Scotland Showing Overall Dates of Old Parochial Records: Held in Edinburgh and Available Worldwide on Microfilm [Scotland]: Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society''[ 198-]. ({{FHL|630321|title-id|disp=Family History Library&nbsp;Map Case 941 E7c pt. 4}})  
*''Civil Parishes and Counties of North East Scotland Showing Overall Dates of Old Parochial Records: Held in Edinburgh and Available Worldwide on Microfilm [Scotland]: Aberdeen and North East Scotland Family History Society''[ 198-]. ({{FHL|630321|title-id|disp=Family History Library&nbsp;Map Case 941 E7c pt. 4}})  
*''The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers'', 2nd ed. Chichester, England: Phillimore &amp; Co. Ltd, 1995. ({{FHL|1126193|title-id|disp=Family History Library&nbsp;Book 941 E7pa}})  
*''The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers'', 2nd ed. Chichester, England: Phillimore &amp; Co. Ltd, 1995. ({{FHL|1126193|title-id|disp=Family History Library&nbsp;Book 941 E7pa}})  
*''Parish Maps of Scotland.&nbsp;''Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1991. ({{FHL|459108|title-id|disp=Family History Library&nbsp;Book 941 E7ch; Fiche 6036350}})  
*''Parish Maps of Scotland.&nbsp;''Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1991. ({{FHL|459108|title-id|disp=Family History Library Book 941 E7ch; Fiche 6036350}})  
*''Phillips’ Handy Atlas of the Counties of Scotland 1881.&nbsp;''London, England: G. Phillip, 1881. ({{FHL|121737|title-id|disp=Family History&nbsp;Library&nbsp;Book 941 E7p; Film 423175}})
*''Phillips’ Handy Atlas of the Counties of Scotland 1881.&nbsp;''London, England: G. Phillip, 1881. ({{FHL|121737|title-id|disp=Family History Library Book 941 E7p; Film 423175}})


Parish outline maps are also available online at [http://www.scotlandsfamily.com/parish-maps.htm http://www.scotlandsfamily.com/parish-maps.htm].  
Parish outline maps are also available online at [http://www.scotlandsfamily.com/parish-maps.htm http://www.scotlandsfamily.com/parish-maps.htm].  
Line 47: Line 49:
=== The Union List of Church Records  ===
=== The Union List of Church Records  ===


The staff of the Family History Library has compiled a resource called the [[Scotland Church Records Union Lists|Scotland Church Records Union List]]&nbsp;which strives to identify all pre-1855 churches in Scotland and whether they have surviving records. It also contains brief parish and congregation histories. This information, arranged by county then parish, is available through the Wiki by searching for a [[Scotland Old Counties pre 1974 and New Counties post 1974|county]] or parish of interest. <!--{12088846945560} --><!--{12088846945561} --><!--{12088846945562} --><!--{12088846945563} --><!--{12088846945564} --><!--{12088846945565} -->
The staff of the Family History Library has compiled a resource called the [[Scotland Church Records Union Lists|Scotland Church Records Union List]]&nbsp;which strives to identify all pre-1855 churches in Scotland and whether they have surviving records. It also contains brief parish and congregation histories. This information, arranged by county then parish, is available through the Wiki by searching for a [[Scotland Old Counties pre 1974 and New Counties post 1974|county]] or parish of interest.  


== The Records  ==
== The Records  ==


The term ''[[Scotland Old Parochial Registers (OPR)|Old Parochial Registers]]'' refers to parish registers kept by the Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland) from the time the church began keeping registers up to the year 1855. The amount of information in registers varies from parish to parish. Later records generally give more complete information than earlier ones. For more information see [[Scotland Established (Presbyterian) Church Records|Scotland Established (Presbyterian) Church Records]].  
The term ''[[Scotland Old Parochial Registers (OPR)|Old Parochial Registers]]'' refers to parish registers kept by the Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland) from the time the church began keeping registers up to the year 1855. The records include registers of births/baptisms, marriages/proclamations, and deaths/burials. The amount of information in registers varies from parish to parish. Later records generally give more complete information than earlier ones. For more information see [[Scotland Established (Presbyterian) Church Records|Scotland Established (Presbyterian) Church Records]].  


Some early parish registers may be in Latin. Scotland has its own version of English, so you may need to use a dictionary to understand some words. Read more in [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Language_and_Languages Scotland Language and Languages].  
Some early parish registers may be in Latin. Scotland has its own version of English, so you may need to use a dictionary to understand some words. Read more in [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Language_and_Languages Scotland Language and Languages].  


Most parish registers begin after 1650. Some kirk session (parish court) records begin earlier than the parish registers. Kirk session records may have some christening, marriage, and burial records in them.
Most parish registers begin after 1650. Some kirk session (parish court) records begin earlier than the parish registers. Kirk session records may have some christening, marriage, and burial records in them.<br>
 
=== Christenings (Baptisms)  ===
 
Children were usually christened (baptized) within a few days or weeks of birth. Christening records give at least the infant’s name and the christening date. You may find:
 
*Father’s name and occupation
*Mother’s first name and often her maiden name
*Child’s birth data and legitimacy
*Family’s place of residence or street address
*Witnesses
 
Church officials recorded christenings in the parish registers. Therefore, it is necessary to know what church the person belonged to and in what parish the church was located.
 
Records of civil parishes and a listing of counties of Scotland, including the overall dates of old parochial records, are held in Edinburgh.
 
=== Marriages  ===
 
Marriages usually took place in Scotland in the parish where the bride resided. Marriage records usually give:
 
*Marriage date
*Name of Bride
*Name of Groom
 
The records may include:
 
*Marital status (i.e., single, widow, or widower)
*Parish of residence of both parties
*Groom’s occupation
*Bride’s father’s name
 
Church officials recorded marriages in the parish registers. Therefore, it is necessary to know what church the person belonged to and in what parish the church was located.
 
Records of civil parishes and a listing of counties of Scotland, including the overall dates of old parochial records, are held in Edinburgh.
 
'''Additional Information:'''
 
Some records show a couple’s “intent to marry,” also called the proclamation of banns. Usually the intent to marry was proclaimed in the parishes of both the bride and groom. The marriage was usually recorded only in the parish in which the marriage actually took place.
 
Caution: The proclaiming of banns is not proof that the couple married.
 
Another acceptable practice acknowledged in early Scotland was that of the [[Scotland Handfast Tradition|Handfast]]. <!--{12055090632345} -->
 
=== Burials  ===
 
Few burial records were kept before 1855. It is important to know that many women, when their husbands died, reverted to their maiden names and were buried under that name. Burial records usually give:
 
*The deceased’s name
*Burial date
 
The burial records may provide:
 
*Age at the time of death
*The name of the spouse
*The names of the parents
*Witnesses
 
'''Additional Information:'''
 
Instead of actual burials, the parish registers often list people who paid mortcloth dues. The mortcloth was a cloth used to cover the body during the burial ceremony. These lists do not mention everyone who was buried. They mention the rich who donated the cloths to the church and the very poor who could not pay to use the mortcloth.
 
If you cannot find burial records, try to find tombstone inscriptions. Read about tombstone inscriptions in the [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Cemeteries Scotland Cemeteries] article.
 
'''Note:''' ''Quoad sacra ''parishes are those set up for ecclesiastical purposes to take care of those people who could not conveniently attend the parish church. To find records of people living in quoad sacra parishes, you must search the surrounding parishes.
 
== Accessing Records  ==
 
The Church of Scotland sent all of its known registers up to the year 1855 to the General&nbsp;Register Office&nbsp;(GRO) in Edinburgh For more information, go online to&nbsp;the [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk GRO] website&nbsp;and click on the link for Family Records. The registers have been microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah and are available at the Family History Library, or can be ordered through Family History Centers worldwide.
 
Click [[Scotland Old Counties pre 1974 and New Counties post 1974|here]] for a list of Scotland's counties, with links to parishes and their records including Family History Library microfilm numbers.&nbsp;To find numbers in the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp Family History Library Catalog], and click Place Search. Type the name of a parish and county of interest and click Search. From the list of topics, click Church records. Finally click the title of the parish register.
 
The [http://www.scotroots.com/parish.htm Parish List for Scotland] shows all of the parishes in alphabetical order, giving the parish number, county in which it is situated, and the date when the Old Parochical Records (Presbyterian Church records) began.&nbsp;
 
'''Additional Information:'''
 
Scottish parish registers were microfilmed twice. In the first filming, some information in the margins of the registers is not readable on the film. The second filming corrected this problem. The second filming also has frame numbers to help you find an entry that was extracted. For more information, read the section below for Indexes. <!--{12088853364080} -->
 
== Indexes  ==
 
Before searching the original records, search an index.
 
After the registers were microfilmed, the&nbsp;baptism and marriage information was extracted from the records. The information is available in two places:
 
*the Scotland [https://www.familysearch.org/s/collection/show#uri=http://search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1771030&hash=Mrd8SMocDIIen2Q83tu%252B82PRagg%253D baptism] and [https://www.familysearch.org/s/collection/show#uri=http://search-api:8080/searchapi/search/collection/1771074&hash=Mrd8SMocDIIen2Q83tu%252B82PRagg%253D marriage] databases found at [http://www.familysearch.org www.familysearch.org]
*the Old Parish Registers indexes at [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ ScotlandsPeople]. This includes an&nbsp;incomplete&nbsp;index to deaths or burials.<!--{12088974656450} -->&nbsp;Read more about ''[[ScotlandsPeople|ScotlandsPeople]]''.<!--{12088974656451} -->&nbsp;<!--{12088974656452} --><!--{12088974656453} --><!--{12088974656454} --><!--{12088974656455} --><!--{12088974656456} --><!--{12088974656457} -->
 
== Additional Information <br> ==


Births and marriages&nbsp;from the old parochial registers of the Church of Scotland were&nbsp;indexed on microfiche before the same data was added to the databases at FamilySearch.org. For more information about the Old Parochial Registers on microfiche, read [[Scotland_Old_Parochial_Registers_(OPR)|Scotland Old Parochial Registers (OPR) Index]].


== Additional Web Sites <br> ==
== Key Web Sites ==


National Archives of Scotland: http://www.nas.gov.uk  
National Archives of Scotland: http://www.nas.gov.uk  
Line 151: Line 66:
Part of the National Archives of Scotland: http://www.scottishdocuments.com  
Part of the National Archives of Scotland: http://www.scottishdocuments.com  


Access to British archives/catalog/documents: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk<!--{120550906323424} -->
Access to British archives/catalog/documents: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk  


<br>
<br>
BakerBH
10,814

edits

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/527936"