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Scotland Church Records: Difference between revisions
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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 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. 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 == | ||
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: | 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: | ||
* The General Assembly is the highest governing body. | *The General Assembly is the highest governing body. | ||
* The Synod governs several presbyteries. | *The Synod governs several presbyteries. | ||
* The Presbytery governs several parishes. | *The Presbytery governs several parishes. | ||
* The parish is the lowest governing body. | *The parish is the lowest governing body. | ||
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. (See the “[[Scotland Gazetteers|Gazetteers]]” section of this outline). The gazetteers provide: | 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. (See the “[[Scotland Gazetteers|Gazetteers]]” section of this outline). 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 <br> === | ||
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: | ||
* Seceders -- Those who seceded from the established church but were still Presbyterian in form. | *Seceders -- Those who seceded from the established church but were still Presbyterian in form. | ||
* Dissenters -- Those who were not Presbyterian in form, such as Baptist, Methodist, or Catholic. | *Dissenters -- Those who were not Presbyterian in form, such as Baptist, Methodist, or Catholic. | ||
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 on churches in Scotland, including a historical time-line, see the section on [[Scotland Church History|Church History]]. <!--{12055098579215} --><!--{12055098579216} --><!--{12055098579217} --> | For more background information on churches in Scotland, including a historical time-line, see the section on [[Scotland Church History|Church History]]. <!--{12055098579215} --><!--{12055098579216} --><!--{12055098579217} --><!--{12055098579218} --> | ||
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== Identifying Churches == | == Identifying Churches == | ||
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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]. | ||
=== 1851 Census of Places of Worship <br> === | |||
Popularly called the 1851 Religious Census, this is a resource for identifying what churches existed where in 1851. [[1851 Census Places of Worship|Read more...]] | Popularly called the 1851 Religious Census, this is a resource for identifying what churches existed where in 1851. [[1851 Census Places of Worship|Read more...]] | ||
=== 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]] 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]] 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} --> | ||
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== Searching <br> == | == Searching <br> == | ||
The term “Old Parochial Registers” refers to parish registers kept by the Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland) from the time the church began keeping registers 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. 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. (See the “Language and Languages” section of this outline.) | The term “Old Parochial Registers” refers to parish registers kept by the Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland) from the time the church began keeping registers 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. 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. (See the “Language and Languages” section of this outline.) | ||
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. | ||
Before searching parish registers, the International Genealogical Index (IGI) and the Scottish Church Records databases are important sources to use as well as http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. These serve as indexes to the records. (For more information, see Indexes below.) | Before searching parish registers, the International Genealogical Index (IGI) and the Scottish Church Records databases are important sources to use as well as http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. These serve as indexes to the records. (For more information, see Indexes below.) | ||
=== Christenings (Baptisms) <br> === | |||
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: | 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 <br>Mother’s first name and often her maiden name <br>Child’s birth data and legitimacy <br>Family’s place of residence or street address <br>Witnesses <br>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. | Father’s name and occupation <br>Mother’s first name and often her maiden name <br>Child’s birth data and legitimacy <br>Family’s place of residence or street address <br>Witnesses <br>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. | Records of civil parishes and a listing of counties of Scotland, including the overall dates of old parochial records, are held in Edinburgh. | ||
=== Marriages <br> === | |||
Marriages usually took place in Scotland in the parish where the bride resided. Marriage records usually give: | Marriages usually took place in Scotland in the parish where the bride resided. Marriage records usually give: | ||
Marriage date <br>Name of Bride <br>Name of Groom <br>The records may include: | Marriage date <br>Name of Bride <br>Name of Groom <br>The records may include: | ||
Marital status (i.e., single, widow, or widower) <br>Parish of residence of both parties <br>Groom’s occupation <br>Bride’s father’s name <br>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. | Marital status (i.e., single, widow, or widower) <br>Parish of residence of both parties <br>Groom’s occupation <br>Bride’s father’s name <br>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. | 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''' | '''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. | 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. | 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} --> | Another acceptable practice acknowledged in early Scotland was that of the [[Scotland Handfast Tradition|Handfast]]. <!--{12055090632345} --> | ||
=== Burials <br> === | |||
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: | 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 <br>Burial date <br>The burial records may provide: | The deceased’s name <br>Burial date <br>The burial records may provide: | ||
Age at the time of death <br>The name of the spouse <br>The names of the parents <br>Witnesses | Age at the time of death <br>The name of the spouse <br>The names of the parents <br>Witnesses | ||
'''Additional Information''' | '''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. However, these lists do not mention everyone who was buried. The rich who donated the cloths to the church and the very poor did not have to pay to use the mortcloth. | 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. However, these lists do not mention everyone who was buried. The rich who donated the cloths to the church and the very poor did not have to pay to use the mortcloth. | ||
If you cannot find burial records, try to find tombstone inscriptions. (See the [[Scotland Cemeteries|Cemeteries]] section for more information on tombstone inscriptions.) | If you cannot find burial records, try to find tombstone inscriptions. (See the [[Scotland Cemeteries|Cemeteries]] section for more information on tombstone inscriptions.) | ||
[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.] <!--{12055090632346} --><!--{12055090632347} --><!--{12055090632348} --><!--{12055090632349} --><!--{120550906323410} --><!--{120550906323411} --><!--{120550906323412} --><!--{120550906323413} --><!--{120550906323414} --><!--{120550906323415} --> | [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.] <!--{12055090632346} --><!--{12055090632347} --><!--{12055090632348} --><!--{12055090632349} --><!--{120550906323410} --><!--{120550906323411} --><!--{120550906323412} --><!--{120550906323413} --><!--{120550906323414} --><!--{120550906323415} --> | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
'''Additional Information''' | '''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 later filming also has frame numbers to help you find an entry that was extracted (see Indexes below). <!--{12088853364080} --><!--{12088853364081} --><!--{12088853364082} --><!--{12088853364083} --><!--{12088853364084} --><!--{12088853364085} --><!--{12088853364086} --><!--{12088853364087} --><!--{12088853364088} --><!--{12088853364089} --><!--{120888533640810} --><!--{120888533640811} --> | 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 later filming also has frame numbers to help you find an entry that was extracted (see Indexes below). <!--{12088853364080} --><!--{12088853364081} --><!--{12088853364082} --><!--{12088853364083} --><!--{12088853364084} --><!--{12088853364085} --><!--{12088853364086} --><!--{12088853364087} --><!--{12088853364088} --><!--{12088853364089} --><!--{120888533640810} --><!--{120888533640811} --> | ||
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*''ScotlandsPeople'' | *''ScotlandsPeople'' | ||
=== Index to the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland <br> === | |||
This index is on microfiche at the Family History Library and family history centers. It consists of two parts: | This index is on microfiche at the Family History Library and family history centers. It consists of two parts: | ||
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To see if the records of your parish of interest are included in the index, go to the Family History Library Catalog online at [http://www.familysearch.org http://www.familysearch.org] (under the Library tab). Do a Place search for the parish name and click on the topic of 'Church records - Indexes.' | To see if the records of your parish of interest are included in the index, go to the Family History Library Catalog online at [http://www.familysearch.org http://www.familysearch.org] (under the Library tab). Do a Place search for the parish name and click on the topic of 'Church records - Indexes.' | ||
=== Scottish Church Records Index <br> === | |||
This DOS database version of the ''Old Parochial Registers of Scotland ''index is available on computers in the Family History Library and family history centers. For more information about the index, click [[Scottish Church Records Index|here]]. It is not available online. <!--{12088974656450} --> | This DOS database version of the ''Old Parochial Registers of Scotland ''index is available on computers in the Family History Library and family history centers. For more information about the index, click [[Scottish Church Records Index|here]]. It is not available online. <!--{12088974656450} --> | ||
=== International Genealogical Index (IGI) <br> === | |||
This database is available online at [http://www.familysearch.org http://www.familysearch.org] and contains much of what is included in the other two versions of the index. | This database is available online at [http://www.familysearch.org http://www.familysearch.org] and contains much of what is included in the other two versions of the index. | ||
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*The records for the time period you need are missing or lost. | *The records for the time period you need are missing or lost. | ||
=== ''ScotlandsPeople'' === | |||
The baptisms and marriages are also indexed on a Scottish government website known as ''ScotlandsPeople''. See the link to it under 'Additional Web Sites' below. Read more about ''[[ScotlandsPeople|ScotlandsPeople]]''.<!--{12088974656451} --> <!--{12088974656452} --><!--{12088974656453} --><!--{12088974656454} --><!--{12088974656455} --><!--{12088974656456} --><!--{12088974656457} --> | The baptisms and marriages are also indexed on a Scottish government website known as ''ScotlandsPeople''. See the link to it under 'Additional Web Sites' below. Read more about ''[[ScotlandsPeople|ScotlandsPeople]]''.<!--{12088974656451} --> <!--{12088974656452} --><!--{12088974656453} --><!--{12088974656454} --><!--{12088974656455} --><!--{12088974656456} --><!--{12088974656457} --> | ||
== Additional Information <br> == | == Additional Information <br> == | ||
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Records of civil parishes are held in Edinburgh: | Records of civil parishes are held in Edinburgh: | ||
Registrar General<br>Search Unit<br>New Register House<br>Edinburgh EH1 3YT<br>Scotland<br>Internet: [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/ http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/] <!--{120550906323423} --> | Registrar General<br>Search Unit<br>New Register House<br>Edinburgh EH1 3YT<br>Scotland<br>Internet: [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/ http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/] <!--{120550906323423} --> | ||
== Additional Web Sites <br> == | == Additional Web Sites <br> == | ||
==== Free Web Sites ==== | ==== Free Web Sites ==== | ||
National Archives of Scotland: http://www.nas.gov.uk | National Archives of Scotland: http://www.nas.gov.uk | ||
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 <!--{120550906323424} --> | ||