Biggar, Lanarkshire, Scotland Genealogy

Biggar (#623)

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: On page two there are seven irregular entries of one family, 1722–1737, and the record is irregular until 1735. No entries, except two for 1737, July 1735–February 1738 and August 1760–December 1761. Entries are out of order of time of frequent occurrence throughout. Marriages: Except for a few entries, 1806–1810, which are recorded among the births for the same period, there is no register of marriages before 1836. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1834–1935 Accounts 1852–1935 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1253.

Moat Park Associate Burgher Presbyterian Church
History— In 1739, three elders and 23 private members of the parish of Symington presented a petition to the Associate Presbytery asking to be taken under their inspection, which was granted. Seceders from Covington and Skirling joined with these in worship at West Linton. The Breach of 1747 divided them. Those who adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod continued to worship at West Linton until 1756 when the Presbytery of Edinburgh formed them into a separate congregation at Biggar. A church was built in 1760. A new church was built in 1866. In 1831, about 360 persons attended this church. The congregation was said to draw from fifteen parishes; 48 families were from Biggar. This congregation joined the United Presbyterian Church in 1847. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Whitburn General Associate Anti-burgher Church, later Free
History— This church was formed in 1766 from persons in Whitburn who had until then traveled to Craigmailen, a distance of 12 miles, for worship. The majority of this congregation, along with its minister, withdrew from the Anti-burger Synod in September 1806 and helped to form the Constitutional Presbytery, Old Lights, which later became the Synod of Original Seceders in 1827. The congregation later joined the Free Church in 1852. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

South Relief Church
History— Due to an unpopular minister being presented to the parish in 1779, a great proportion of the parishioners left the Established Church and applied to the Relief Presbytery of Edinburgh for supply of sermon. Despite opposition, they built a church in 1781. In 1831, the congregation was said to draw from 15 parishes, and about 118 families from Biggar attended here. The Relief Presbytery became part of the United Presbyterian Church in 1847. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers. Records— The extent of records is unknown.

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