Irongray, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland Genealogy

Irongray, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland (#867)

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: There is one entry July 1780–May 1782 and one September 1783–January 1794, the latter blank being occasioned by the government tax of three pence on each entry recorded. Three families, however, 1784–1798, are recorded on the page after November 1795. There are no entries May 1818–May 1824, except a few entries without year on a page after 1818. Marriages: There are only six entries in all. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. FHL book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes and Accounts 1691–1700, 1714–1715, 1743–1895 Matters of Poors’ Fund Accounts, Collections, and Discipline 1714–1716 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1343.

Irongray Free Church
History— Robert Crawford, minister of the parish, and many of his congregation, "came out" at the Disruption. They were joined by members from the parishes of Lochrutton and Terregles. The congregational property consisted of church and manse, at the village of Shawhead, and schools in Shawhead and Lochfoot. Irongray is celebrated for its communion stones on Skeoch Hill, its martyrs; monument, and Covenanting traditions. Sir Walter Scott erected a tombstone in the churchyard over the grave of Helen Walker (Jeanie Deans). Decreasing population depressed the membership of the congregation, which was also adversely affected by the formation of the station at Craig, Dunscore. Membership: 1848, 219; 1900, 107. 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 including lists of ministers. Records— Extent of pre–1855 records is unknown.

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