Dunrossness, Shetland, Scotland Genealogy

Dunrossness #3 This parish includes Sandwick, Cunningsburgh, and Fair Isle

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 for Dunrossness May 1783–April 1789, except four entries. Sandwick and Cunningsburgh have irregular and defective June 1782–June 1785. Fair Isle has about thirty-seven families recorded in groups, preceded generally by the entry of marriage of parents, with fifteen transcribed entries 1767–1796. Marriages: Dunrossness has no entries February 1756–June 1790. Sandwick and Cunningsburgh have no entries December 1782–October 1786. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Dunrossness Minutes 1764–1841, with gaps, 1851–1871 Fair Isle Minutes 1828–1841, with gaps Dunrossness Baptisms 1775–1854 Dunrossness Marriages 1790–1795 Available at the Shetland Archives, Lerwick, Scotland; record CH2/112.

Cunningsburgh Free Church
History— A great majority of the people in the district adhered to the Free Church in 1843. The church and manse were erected in 1844. The church was designed to serve a wide district under Alexander Stark, minister of Sandwick, who "came out" at the Disruption. Membership: 1855, 200; 1900, 296. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

Dunrossness Free Church
History— Soon after the Disruption, a preaching station was formed here. After several applications by the Presbytery, the charge was sanctioned in 1866. Membership: 1868, 106; 1900, 105. 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— FHL Film Number Baptisms 1867–1927 1482998 item 4

Sandwick Congregational Church
History— A church was formed here in 1812. It ceased to meet after 1882. Sources: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960; FHL Book 941 K2es and The Scottish Congregational Ministry, by Rev. William D. McNaughton, pub. 1993. FHL Book 941 K2mwd. More details are given in the sources including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Dunrossness Baptist Church
History— A church was founded in 1816 at Spiggie, in this parish, by Sinclair Thomson, the Shetland Apostle, who served as its first pastor for nearly 50 years. It was the first Baptist church in the Shetlands. Their first church building was opened in 1818, and improvements were made in 1839 and 1860. A new church was built in 1912. Dunrossness is a rural community, which is the cause of membership declining over the years. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926. FHL Book 941 K2hi also The Baptists in Scotland, by D.W. Bebbington, pub. 188. FHL Book 941 K2bs.

Records— Records of Baptists in the Shetlands exist but their extent is unknown. For information write to: Baptist Union of Scotland 12 Aytoun Road Glasgow G41 5RT Scotland

Dunrossness Methodist Society
History— It is not known when this society was formed, but it was in existence before 1841. The New Statistical Account of Scotland for the Shetlands for that year states that there was a good number of Methodists in the combined parishes. It also states that the dissenters were not in the habit of registering their baptisms with the parish minister, and they may have kept no records of their own of that nature.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to: Methodist Archives and Research Centre John Rylands University Library of Manchester 150 Deansgate Manchester M3 3EH England

Return to Shetland parish list.