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{{Scotland | {{CountrySidebar | ||
{{breadcrumb | |Country=Scotland | ||
|Name=Scotland | |||
|Type=Topic | |||
|Topic Type=Records | |||
|Records=Church Records | |||
|Rating=Standardized | |||
}}{{breadcrumb | |||
| link1=[[Scotland Genealogy|Scotland]] | | link1=[[Scotland Genealogy|Scotland]] | ||
| link2= | | link2= | ||
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| link4= | | link4= | ||
| link5=[[Scotland Church Records|Church Records]] | | link5=[[Scotland Church Records|Church Records]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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'''Church records are the main source for accurate information on names, dates, and places of birth, marriage, and death prior to the beginning of civil registration in 1855.''' | '''Church records are the main source for accurate information on names, dates, and places of birth, marriage, and death prior to the beginning of civil registration in 1855.''' | ||
'''While the next section gives brief explanations and links to online indexes and records, they are best searched after a basic understanding of the main churches in Scotland with their history and available records. For this, see | '''While the next section gives brief explanations and links to online indexes and records, they are best searched after a basic understanding of the main churches in Scotland with their history and available records. For this, see Section 2.4 Historical Background below.''' | ||
==Online Records== | ==Online Records== | ||
*'''1754-1878''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/62629/ UK, Admiralty Records of Marriages and Baptisms, 1754-1878] at Ancestry — index & images ($) | |||
===Old Parochial Records=== | ===Old Parochial Records=== | ||
*All Church of Scotland OPRs (Old Parish Records) can be accessed on the [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ '''ScotlandsPeople website''']. There is no fee to search for names, but there is a fee of about $2 (US) per original image. | *All Church of Scotland OPRs (Old Parish Records) can be accessed on the [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ '''ScotlandsPeople website''']. There is no fee to search for names, but there is a fee of about $2 (US) per original image. | ||
*Registration in Church of Scotland's registers was costly and unpopular, so many people did not bother to register events at all. Rapid urbanization during the 19th century contributed to the diminishing influence of the Church and a decrease in registration in these areas. For the 19th century onwards, it is estimated that as few as 30% of events occurring were actually being recorded for some urban parishes.<ref>"Guide to Old Parish Registers", Aberdeen City Libraries, https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2019-09/Guide%20-%20OPRs.pdf, accessed 24 March 2024.</ref> | *Registration in Church of Scotland's registers was costly and unpopular, so many people did not bother to register events at all. Rapid urbanization during the 19th century contributed to the diminishing influence of the Church and a decrease in registration in these areas. For the 19th century onwards, it is estimated that as few as 30% of events occurring were actually being recorded for some urban parishes.<ref>"Guide to Old Parish Registers", Aberdeen City Libraries, https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2019-09/Guide%20-%20OPRs.pdf, accessed 24 March 2024.</ref> | ||
*The original images can also be browsed for free at FamilySearch Centers and Affiliate Libraries through the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog '''FamilySearch Catalog''']. Microfilm and microfiche indexes are also available. See the article '''[[Scotland Old Parochial Registers (OPR)]]''' to learn more. | *The original images can also be browsed for free at FamilySearch Centers and Affiliate Libraries through the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog '''FamilySearch Catalog''']. Microfilm and microfiche indexes are also available. See the article '''[[Scotland Old Parochial Registers (OPR)]]''' to learn more. | ||
:*Search: {{RecordSearch|1771030| '''Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950'''}} - at FamilySearch, index | :*Search: {{RecordSearch|1771030| '''Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950'''}} - at FamilySearch, index & images ($). [[Scotland Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use This Collection]] | ||
:*Search: {{RecordSearch|1771074| '''Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910'''}} - at FamilySearch, index | :*Search: {{RecordSearch|1771074| '''Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910'''}} - at FamilySearch, index & images ($). [[Scotland Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use This Collection]] | ||
:*{{RecordSearch|2421466|'''Scotland Presbyterian & Protestant Church Records, 1736-1990'''}} - at FamilySearch, index | :*{{RecordSearch|2421466|'''Scotland Presbyterian & Protestant Church Records, 1736-1990'''}} - at FamilySearch, index & images ($). [[Scotland Presbyterian & Protestant Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use This Collection]] | ||
:*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bkeywords%3AScotland%20%2Bkeywords%3ABlotter '''Blotter Registers'''] | :*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bkeywords%3AScotland%20%2Bkeywords%3ABlotter '''Blotter Registers'''] | ||
:* | :*{{FSC|79310|item|disp='''Neglected Entries Register'''}} | ||
*'''FindMyPast''' has '''indexed and digitized''' the records. | *'''FindMyPast''' has '''indexed and digitized''' the records. | ||
:*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/scotland-parish-births-and-baptisms-1564-1929 '''Scotland, Parish Births & Baptisms 1564-1929'''], index | :*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/scotland-parish-births-and-baptisms-1564-1929 '''Scotland, Parish Births & Baptisms 1564-1929'''], index & images ($). | ||
:*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/scotland-parish-marriages-and-banns-1561-1893 '''Scotland, Parish Marriages & Banns 1561-1893'''], index | :*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/scotland-parish-marriages-and-banns-1561-1893 '''Scotland, Parish Marriages & Banns 1561-1893'''], index & images ($). | ||
:*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/scotland-parish-deaths-and-burials-1564-2017 '''Scotland, Parish Deaths & Burials 1564-2017'''], index | :*[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/scotland-parish-deaths-and-burials-1564-2017 '''Scotland, Parish Deaths & Burials 1564-2017'''], index & images ($). | ||
*'''MyHeritage''' has also index and digitized the records. | *'''MyHeritage''' has also index and digitized the records. | ||
:*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30226/scotland-births-baptisms-1564-1950 '''Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950'''], index | :*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30226/scotland-births-baptisms-1564-1950 '''Scotland, Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950'''], index & images ($). | ||
:*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30229/scotland-marriages-1561-1910 '''Scotland, Marriages, 1561-1910'''], index | :*[https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-30229/scotland-marriages-1561-1910 '''Scotland, Marriages, 1561-1910'''], index & images ($). | ||
*[http://www.freereg.org.uk/ '''FreeReg.org'''] is a site that transcribes records from across the UK. A few Scotland Church Records are included. No images are available. | *[http://www.freereg.org.uk/ '''FreeReg.org'''] is a site that transcribes records from across the UK. A few Scotland Church Records are included. No images are available. | ||
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===Non-Conformists=== | ===Non-Conformists=== | ||
[[File:Scottish Catholic Dioceses.png|300px|thumb|right|<center>Roman Catholic Dioceses of Scotland</center>]] | |||
[[File:Dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church.png|300px|thumb|right|<center>Dioceses of the Scottish Episcopal Church</center>]] | |||
[https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/advanced-search#{%22category%22:%22church%22} ''' ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk]''' In 1855, the government officially called for all non-parochial (non-conformist) church registers (of all religions outside of the Church of Scotland) to be turned in to the official government archive, now managed by '''ScotlandsPeople'''. | [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/advanced-search#{%22category%22:%22church%22} ''' ScotlandsPeople.gov.uk]''' In 1855, the government officially called for all non-parochial (non-conformist) church registers (of all religions outside of the Church of Scotland) to be turned in to the official government archive, now managed by '''ScotlandsPeople'''. | ||
*'''Catholic Records:''' [https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/catholic-parish-registers '''Catholic Parish Registers Guide''']. | *'''Catholic Records:''' [https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/guides/catholic-parish-registers '''Catholic Parish Registers Guide''']. | ||
::[[Scotland Roman Catholic Church Parishes]] | |||
*'''Other Non-Conformist''' Records: A list of what is available is for other non-conformist churches is available here: [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/guides/church-registers#Parishes '''Church Records Guide''']. | *'''Other Non-Conformist''' Records: A list of what is available is for other non-conformist churches is available here: [https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/guides/church-registers#Parishes '''Church Records Guide''']. | ||
::The main NRS collections are as follows: | ::The main NRS collections are as follows: | ||
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==Contents of the Records== | ==Contents of the Records== | ||
=== Births/Baptisms === | === Births/Baptisms === | ||
Children were usually baptized within a few days or weeks of birth. Births/baptisms | Children were usually baptized within a few days or weeks of birth. Births/baptisms may include: <br> | ||
*Name and surname of the child | *Name and surname of the child | ||
*Birth and/or baptism date and place | *Birth and/or baptism date and place | ||
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The Church of Scotland (a Presbyterian church) has been the recognized national church of Scotland since 1690. It is not a state or "established" church (although that latter description has found its way into various official documentation such as marriage registers); that independence from the state was eventually acknowledged in the Church of Scotland Act 1921. | The Church of Scotland (a Presbyterian church) has been the recognized national church of Scotland since 1690. It is not a state or "established" church (although that latter description has found its way into various official documentation such as marriage registers); that independence from the state was eventually acknowledged in the Church of Scotland Act 1921. | ||
The two main types of records are '''Old Parochial Registers (OPR)''' and '''Kirk Session Records'''. OPR's list baptisms, marriages and burials. Kirk Session records are the records of the Church Courts. They often list information relevant to genealogy. Additional records to utilize can include [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bkeywords%3AScotland%20%2Bkeywords%3ABlotter Blotter Registers] and | The two main types of records are '''Old Parochial Registers (OPR)''' and '''Kirk Session Records'''. OPR's list baptisms, marriages and burials. Kirk Session records are the records of the Church Courts. They often list information relevant to genealogy. Additional records to utilize can include [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bkeywords%3AScotland%20%2Bkeywords%3ABlotter Blotter Registers] and {{FSC|79310|item|disp=Neglected Entries Register}} (considered to pertain to civil registration, but many entries start well before C.R. even began--1809-1860). | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
====Non-conformist==== | ====Non-conformist==== | ||
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Nonconformists had their own congregations, with different boundaries to the Church of Scotland and kept their own records. However, before 1834, nonconformist ministers were not authorized to perform marriages as clergyman; after 1834 they could perform marriages if the banns had first been read in the parish church. Total authority was granted in 1855. In the context of Scots Law as it applied until 1939, this affected, only in practice, the mode of marriage because until then any declaration of marriage in front of witnesses was valid although many might have failed to be recorded. | Nonconformists had their own congregations, with different boundaries to the Church of Scotland and kept their own records. However, before 1834, nonconformist ministers were not authorized to perform marriages as clergyman; after 1834 they could perform marriages if the banns had first been read in the parish church. Total authority was granted in 1855. In the context of Scots Law as it applied until 1939, this affected, only in practice, the mode of marriage because until then any declaration of marriage in front of witnesses was valid although many might have failed to be recorded. | ||
====Scotland Handfast Tradition==== | |||
The rite of '''Handfast''' was introduced into Scotland by Scandinavian Vikings and dates back to the beginning of Christianity. The original idea is linked to Common Law Marriages and of the posting of Banns in church. The word "Handfast" is tied to a hand shake that was used in earlier times to finalize a business transaction. The tradition of Handfast as a form of marriage lasted well into the 20th century, especially in the isolated and mountain areas of Scotland. | |||
Handfasting was originally used to announce the union between a man and woman who wished to live together as husband and wife before receiving the blessing of the church. The couple would stand before their peers, hold hands above their heads, and state their intentions. The agreement was good for one year and one day, or until clergy came to the area. A child born of a Handfast union was considered legitimate and was eligible to inherit. | |||
Many times this was an arrangement made so a man would know if a woman were able to bear children. Also, in areas where there was no church and the clergy came infrequently to marry and baptize, it was a means to legitimize those marriages. How often couples were married by handfasting is unknown. If, in the course of your research, you cannot find a marriage for your ancestral couple, it may be because they were married in this traditional way. Chances are good that the event took place within the year prior to the birth of the couple's first child. | |||
Handfasting is no longer an acceptable practice in Scotland. However, it is possible that the new rise of premarital agreements or contracts between couples who wish to live together without the benefit of legal marriage is an offshoot of the ancient tradition of the Handfast system. | |||
===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.=== | ===Correspond with or visit the actual churches.=== | ||
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<br> | <br> | ||
'''Online Tutorials on FamilySearch:''' | '''Online Tutorials on FamilySearch:''' | ||
*[https://familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lesson/783 Using Church of Scotland Parochial Registers to trace Scots Ancestry] | *[https://familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/lesson/783 Using Church of Scotland Parochial Registers to trace Scots Ancestry] | ||
[[Category:Scotland Church Records]] | [[Category:Scotland Church Records]] | ||