Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Genealogy

Lochmaben (#840)

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: 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: There are irregular entries on the first six pages for 1741–1765. Record is incomplete 1780–1782, inclusive. There are irregular entries 1741–1815, with one entry 1834 on four pages after 1819. Marriages: There are no entries September 1777–December 1790, except one entry for 1788. Deaths: No entries February 1770–February 1796 Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1701–1718, 1730–1929 New Register: 1818 giving details of the parish, age of manse and servitudes, etc. Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/247.

Lochmaben United Presbyterian, formerly Burgher Church
History— The Rev. of Ecclefechan, intimated his intention to preach in Lochmaben, on a Sabbath in the year 1790. A number of persons in and about Lochmaben were drawn by these visits to attend regularly upon his ministry at Ecclefechan, notwithstanding the distance between the places. When Mr. Dunlop removed to Dumfries, he also paid occasional visits to Lochmaben, and preached to an immense concourse of people assembled in the open fields. Several of them were drawn to attend regularly upon his ministry. In 1812, the members of Dumfries and Ecclefechan congregations resident in and about Lochmaben, applied for and obtained supply of sermon from the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Selkirk. A Church was built in 1813. In 1869 the church was renovated. Membership: 1835, 100. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— No pre–1855 records.

Lochmaben Free Church
History— The adherents of the Free Church in Lochmaben were formed into a congregation on June 18, 1843. The church was built and opened in December of that year. A school, afterwards used as a hall, was built in 1845. In 1848, a new congregation was formed at Kirkmichael. The formation of congregations, at Dalton, and at Wamphray, reduced the area from which members at Lochmaben were drawn. The church also suffered from decline of the population. Membership: 1848, 500; 1900, 275. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records— Minutes 1843–1924 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/595.

Hightae Reformed, later Free Church
History— The congregation of Hightae originally belonged to the Relief Church, with which they were connected until 1808. In that year they joined the Reformed Presbyterian congregation of Quarrelwood, which at the same time took over a small debt belonging to them. The church was built in 1798 and was very plan until after the union. Up to 1829 the Hightae people were ministered to both from Quarrelwood and Penpont. In that year they applied for moderation, which was granted, and a minister was called. In 1836, the number of communicants was 112 which were drawn from fourteen different parishes, with 37 from Hightae itself. This congregation united with the Free Church in 1876, and in 1914 it united with the Dalton United Free Church to form the Hightae and Dalton congregation. The church was reconstructed in 1865. Membership: 1835, 37; 1877, 92; 1900, 101. Source: The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, by W.J. Couper, pub. 1925. FHL book 941 K2c. Also, Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the sources including ministers.

Records— Minutes 1828–1851 Seat Rents 1841–1851 Notes: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/903. In 1835, there were also 12 Roman Catholics within the parish.

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