Ardersier, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy

Ardersier # 91

History
It is pronounced in Gaelic “Ardnasaor,” which may signify, “the height of the carpenter;” tradition having preserved a vague story, that several carpenters were drowned in the ferry, during the period that the cathedral of Chanonry was being built. Although this derivation is plausible, it may reasonably be supposed that the parish had a name before this accident befell the craftsman. So far back as the year 1226, in a deed of agreement between the Bishops of Moray and Ross, affecting this parish, and transcribed in the “Registrum Moraviense,” it is written “Ardrosser.” This is probably derived from the Gaelic Ard, high, Ross, a promontory or peninsula, and iar, west; or the adjunct may be an arbitrary termination.

Of the early history of the parish not much is known. Among the documents in Cawdor Castle is a disposition dated 1574, “of the lands and barony of Ardersier, fishing of salmon, and other fishing commonly called Fisher’s croft."

The late Dr. John Mackintosh, Lecturer on the Theory and Practice of Physic in Edinburgh, and the author of two volumes on the “Pathology and Practice of Physic,” and of a monograph on “Puerperal Fever,” received his early education in this parish. Some of the following gentlemen were born in the parish; the others received their early education in the school of Campbelton; the late Admiral Sir Patrick Campbell, K. C. B., and his brother, General Sir Colin Campbell, Governor of Ceylon; the late General Sir Alexander Caldwell, E.I.C.S; Colonel Sir Alexander Anderson, C. B.; Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Macpherson, and his brother, the late Captain George Macpherson, R. N.

The whole parish belongs to the Earl of Cawdor, with the exception of the precinct of the fort, purchased by Government about 1746.

A century ago Ardersier was so thinly peopled that it was called “the parish of six”. Dr. Webster’s return of the population amounted to 428, by the census of the present year it is 1477. This number includes the garrison. The yearly average of births for the last seven years is 22, marriages is 12, and there is not register of deaths kept. The earliest entry in the parochial registers is June 1719; they are regularly kept.

This account was written September 1841.

 Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 14.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers.. Births: No birth entries September 1720–May 1722, July 1723–December 1726, one for November 1734–October 1736, May 1737–April 1739, and January 1743–March 1747. Between the record for 1764 and 1765 there are nine pages of entries for 1761–1778. Nearly all of these entries are again entered in their proper places. Entries from 1800–1803 are recorded twice. There is a separate record for Fort George from 1798, with irregular entries on the first two pages from 1791. Marriages: There are no marriage entries October 1744–April 1746, October 1746–January 1748, January 1748–January 1749; one entry for November 1751–July 1753 and three entries for 1784–1788. There is a separate record for Fort George from 1793. Entries on the first two pages are irregular as to dates. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes and Accounts 1764–1801, 1822–1840 Minutes 1729–1730, 1841–1883 Collections 1764 Poors' Fund Account 1803–1806 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1345.

Ardersier Free Church
History— The minister of the parish "came out" in 1843. The manse was built in 1846, the stones having to be brought ten miles by sea, and then carted to the site. The church was built in 1856. Membership: 1855, 48; 1900, 105. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843-1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols, pub. 1914. Film #918572. Records— Minutes 1843–1900 Note: Available at Free Church Offices, Edinburgh.

Campbelton United Presbyterian Church
History— Campbelton is a village in the parish of Ardersier and county of Inverness, The congregation of this place originated in the generous offer of a member of the Episcopal Church, resident in the village, who, in addition to liberal pecuniary aid, gave gratuitously the use of the infant school to persons disposed to assemble in it for religious worship. Campbelton received supply of sermon from the United Associate Presbytery of Elgin in 1842. The adherents to the cause were organized as a congregation in December 1843. They purchased the school, in which they had met, in 1847, and enlarged it in 1849, rendering it capable of accommodating 160 sitters. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.