Dunlop, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #591

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Dunlap. To learn more about how to use these records to search for your ancestors, go to the Scotland: Research Strategies.

= History =

The Gaelic word dun means a fortified height, and the Gaelic word luib means a winding, as of a stream. It is thought that the old castle sat at the winding of the river and the parish took its name from this. Kilmarnock, Irvine, and Dunlop are the nearest towns. The learned John Major while, Professor of Theology at Glasgow, was also vicar at Dunlop. William Mure, Esq. of Caldwell; John Dunlop, Esq. of Dunlop; M.P., Richard Trotter, Esq. of Hapland; and Andrew Brown, Esq. of Hill are the major land owners. The land was primarily used for, horses, milk cows, cattle, sheep, potatoes, barley, bear, oats, and cheese. The population in 1791 was 779. The population in 1835 was 1157. The register of baptisms begins in 1701, and with the exception of two or three short intervals, they have been kept with great accuracy until the present time. (1837) 212 families in the parish attend the Established Church and 7 attend dissenting churches. The total Number of Dissenters is 26

This account was written in 1837.

Source:New Statistical Account of Scotland(FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 5)

Available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages via the parish reports.

= Census Records =

A census is a count and description of the population, taken by the government, arranged by locality and by household. Read more about Scotland Census Records.

Here is a list of the Family History Library microfilm numbers for the census records of Dunlap as well as the library numbers for any surname indexes available:

= Church Records =

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: Births are incomplete for 1705. They are blank October 1707–November 1708, September1711–June 1720, except one entry for 1712. There is only one entry, January 1733–January 1734. There is an imperfect page after November 1747. Entries June 1754–November 1758 were recorded twice. Pages are blank May 1761–June 1765, except eight entries for 1763. Marriages: There are only proclamations prior to 1711. Pages are blank November 1711–November 1720, after which marriages are also usually recorded. Pages are blank November 1732–November 1733 and, except one entry, November 1742–April 1744. Entries June 1754–December 1759 are recorded twice. Deaths:Deaths are recorded on alternate or occasional pages of the register of births. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
None available

Dunlop Free Church
History— Matthew Dickie, minister of the parish, with two Elders and about twenty members, "came out" in 1843. Services were held in the upper flat of a house in the village. The church was built in 1845, and the manse in 1848. After Mr. Dickie's translation, soon after the Disruption, about three years passed before the settlement of his successor. Membership: 1848, 95; 1900, 149. 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 pre–1855 records is unknown

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