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The Presbyterian Church (Church of Scotland) has been the 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 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.
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** 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
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''The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers'', 2<sup>nd</sup> ed, Cichester, England: Phillimore &amp; Co. Ltd, 1995. (FHL Book 941 E7pa)
''The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers'', 2<sup>nd</sup> ed, Cichester, England: Phillimore &amp; Co. Ltd, 1995. (FHL Book 941 E7pa)


''Parish Maps of Scotland, ''Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1991. (FHL Book 941 E7ch; Fiche 6036350)
''Parish Maps of Scotland,''Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1991. (FHL Book 941 E7ch; Fiche 6036350)


''Phillips’ Handy Atlas of the Counties of Scotland 1881, ''London, England: G. Phillip, 1881. (FHL Book 941 E7p; Film 423175)
''Phillips’ Handy Atlas of the Counties of Scotland 1881,''London, England: G. Phillip, 1881. (FHL Book 941 E7p; Film 423175)


== Searching ==
== Searching ==
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The term “[[Scotland Old Parochial Registers (OPR)|<u>Old Parochial Registers</u>]]” 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 “[[Scotland Language and Languages|Language and Languages]]” section of this outline.)
The term “[[Scotland Old Parochial Registers (OPR)|<u>Old Parochial Registers</u>]]” 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 “[[Scotland Language and Languages|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/ 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/ http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk].&nbsp; These serve as&nbsp;indexes to the records.&nbsp; (For more information, see '''Indexes''' below.)


=== Christenings (Baptisms) ===
=== 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:
Children were usually christened (baptized) within a few days or weeks of birth.&nbsp;&nbsp;Christening records give at least the infant’s name and the christening date. You may find:


*
** Father’s name and occupation
** Father’s name and occupation
** Mother’s first name and often her maiden name
** Mother’s first name and often her maiden name
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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
** Marriage date
** Name of Bride
** Name of Bride
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The records may include:
The records may include:


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** Marital status (i.e., single, widow, or widower)
** Marital status (i.e., single, widow, or widower)
** Parish of residence of both parties
** Parish of residence of both parties
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=== Burials ===
=== 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:
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.&nbsp;Burial records usually give:


*
** The deceased’s name
** The deceased’s name
** Burial date
** Burial date
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The burial records may provide:
The burial records may provide:


*
** Age at the time of death
** Age at the time of death
** The name of the spouse
** The name of the spouse
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If you cannot find burial records, try to find tombstone inscriptions. (See the “[[Scotland Cemeteries|<u>Cemeteries</u>]]” section of this outline for more information on tombstone inscriptions.)
If you cannot find burial records, try to find tombstone inscriptions. (See the “[[Scotland Cemeteries|<u>Cemeteries</u>]]” section of this outline 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.]
['''Note:'''&nbsp;''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 ==
== Accessing Records ==
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The Church of Scotland sent all of its known registers up to the year 1855 to the office of the Registrar General in Edinburgh. (See the “[[Scotland Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]” section of this outline for the address.)
The Church of Scotland sent all of its known registers up to the year 1855 to the office of the Registrar General in Edinburgh. (See the “[[Scotland Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]” section of this outline for the address.)


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. To find microfilm numbers for the registers, click [[Scotland Old Counties pre 1974 and New Counties post 1974|here]], or look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog online at [http://www.familysearch.org/ http://www.familysearch.org] under SCOTLAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] – CHURCH RECORDS.
The registers have&nbsp;been microfilmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah and are available at the Family History Library, or can be ordered through Family History Centers. To find microfilm numbers for the registers, click [[Scotland Old Counties pre 1974 and New Counties post 1974|here]], or look in the Locality Search of the Family History Library Catalog online at [http://www.familysearch.org/ http://www.familysearch.org] under SCOTLAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] – CHURCH RECORDS.


'''Additional Information'''
'''Additional Information'''
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Before searching the original records, it is good to search an index.
Before searching the original records, it is good to search an index.


After the registers were microfilmed, the christening and marriage information was extracted from the records. The information is available in three important indexes:
After the&nbsp;registers were&nbsp;microfilmed, the christening and marriage information was extracted from the records.&nbsp;The information is available&nbsp;in three&nbsp;important indexes:


*
** Index to the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland
** Index to the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland
** Scottish Church Records
** Scottish Church Records
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The index consists of two parts:
The index consists of two parts:


*
** '''Main Index'''. The main index is organized by county. Within each county are separate indexes for christenings and marriages. The christening and marriage indexes are organized once by surname and once by given name.
** '''Main Index'''. The main index is organized by county. Within each county are separate indexes for christenings and marriages. The christening and marriage indexes are organized once by surname and once by given name.
** '''Addendum'''. The addendum contains entries that were missed when the original index was created. It is not organized by county. It has countrywide indexes for christenings and for marriages arranged alphabetically by surname.
** '''Addendum'''. The addendum contains entries that were missed when the original index was created. It is not organized by county. It has countrywide indexes for christenings and for marriages arranged alphabetically by surname.
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Each index entry contains the event date and place. It also contains a reference you can use to find a microfilm copy of the original parish record. This reference consists of a batch number and possibly a frame number.
Each index entry contains the event date and place. It also contains a reference you can use to find a microfilm copy of the original parish record. This reference consists of a batch number and possibly a frame number.


*
** '''Batch Number'''. The batch number will help you identify the microfilm that contains the original parish record. Look up the batch number in the Batch Number Index to find the number of the microfilm that contains the parish register you want.
** '''Batch Number'''. The batch number will help you identify the microfilm that contains the original parish record. Look up the batch number in the Batch Number Index to find the number of the microfilm that contains the parish register you want.
** '''Frame Number'''. Some index entries have a frame number listed in the Miscellaneous column. The frame number identifies the exact frame on the microfilm that contains the page of the parish register you want. If the index entry contains a frame number, it means that the record on the microfilm is not in chronological order. Therefore, be sure to note the frame number, or you will have to search the entire microfilm frame by frame to find the page you want.<br /><br />If the entry does not contain a frame number, the record on the microfilm is in chronological order. You can find the page you want by finding the date the event was recorded.
** '''Frame Number'''. Some index entries have a frame number listed in the Miscellaneous column. The frame number identifies the exact frame on the microfilm that contains the page of the parish register you want. If the index entry contains a frame number, it means that the record on the microfilm is not in chronological order. Therefore, be sure to note the frame number, or you will have to search the entire microfilm frame by frame to find the page you want.<br><br>If the entry does not contain a frame number, the record on the microfilm is in chronological order. You can find the page you want by finding the date the event was recorded.


A microfiche copy of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland index is available at the Family History Library, Family History Centers, and at the Scottish Record Office.
A&nbsp;microfiche copy of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland index&nbsp;is available at&nbsp;the Family History Library, Family History Centers, and at the Scottish Record Office.


To see what parishes and records are included in the index, go to the Parish and Vital Record List. For an explanation of this list, see the publication ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (Film 33702). In addition, you can look in the Family History Library Catalog online at [http://www.familysearch.org/ <u>http://www.familysearch.org</u>] under:
To see what parishes and records are included in the index,&nbsp;go to&nbsp;the Parish and Vital Record List. For an explanation of this list, see the publication ''Parish and Vital Records List'' (Film 33702). In addition, you can look in the Family History Library Catalog online at [http://www.familysearch.org/ <u>http://www.familysearch.org</u>] under:


*
** SCOTLAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] – CHURCH RECORD
** SCOTLAND, [COUNTY], [PARISH] – CHURCH RECORD


''''''
'


'''Scottish Church Records'''
'''Scottish Church Records'''


This DOS database version of the above index is available on computers in the Family History Library and Family History Centers.  It is not available online.
This DOS database version of the above index is available on computers in the Family History Library and Family History Centers.&nbsp; It is not available&nbsp;online.


''''''
'


'''International Genealogical Index (IGI)'''
'''International Genealogical Index (IGI)'''
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If you do not find the people you are looking for in these indexes, consider the following possibilities:
If you do not find the people you are looking for in these indexes, consider the following possibilities:


*
** Your ancestors were not baptized or were not recorded in the records.
** Your ancestors were not baptized or were not recorded in the records.
** Your ancestors did not belong to the Church of Scotland.
** Your ancestors did not belong to the Church of Scotland.
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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/ <u>http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/</u>]
'''Registrar General'''<br>Search Unit<br>New Register House<br>Edinburgh EH1 3YT<br>Scotland<br>Internet: [http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/ <u>http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/</u>]


== Additional Web Sites ==
== Additional Web Sites ==
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Censuses, church records, civil registrations: [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk]
Censuses, church records, civil registrations: [http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk]
[[Category:Scotland]]<br>
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