Delting, Shetland, Scotland Genealogy

Delting #2

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries November 1773–November 1776. Marriages: There are no entries September 1772–May 1779 and December 1789–November 1791 with a page of entries without specification of year. No entries January 1798–January 1800. Older volume spoiled by dampness. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1709–1719, 1751–1811, 1841–1905 Communion Roll 1842–1905 Note: Available at the Shetland Archives, Lerwick, Scotland, record CH2/90.

Mossbank United Secession Church
History— The parish of Delting occupies the northeast portion of the mainland of Shetland, and the church of Mossbank stands in the northeast of Delting. Mossbank is one of the largest fishing stations in the Shetland Isles and the surrounding district contains a considerable population, consisting chiefly of fishermen and their families. Previous to the formation of the congregation these poor people were very destitute, both as to education and the means of grace. For a time the educational wants of the locality were partly supplied by students who were successively engaged as tutors in the family of Mr. Hoseason, the principal merchant of the place. These young men held prayer meetings and taught Sabbath classes, both of which were numerously attended. A desire was thus created for something higher, as well as a more uniform supply of ordinances, until at length an application was made to the United Secession Presbytery of Orkney for permanent supply of sermon. As a result the congregation of Mossbank was formed towards the end of 1842, meeting for some time in a large warehouse. In 1846 a church was erected containing 236 sittings. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source.

Records— There are no known pre-1855 records.

Delting Brae Free Church
History— For a time services were held by probationers in different places in the parish. The Kirk session was constituted in October 1846. That year the church was built and opened. The population declined with the failure of the ling and cod fishing, which began about 1870. The young men went off as sailors, and the families depended more and more upon their crofts, and the knitting work performed by the women. Membership: 1848, 80; 1900, 183. Source: 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 source.

Records— Minutes 1845–1907 Deacons' Court Minutes 1847–1912 Communion Roll 1849–1931 Note: Available at the Shetland Archives, Lerwick, Scotland, record CH3/1081.

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