Fetlar, Shetland, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #4

History
Also available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under ‘For non-subscribers,’ then search for the parish report.

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: In Fetlar there are irregular entries 1803–1812 inserted after September 1804. In North Yell the regular register begins in 1811. Marriages: In Fetlar there are no notations. In North Yell, the regular register begins in 1811. There are irregular entries 1787–1819 and one entry in 1801 at the beginning of the register of births. There is one entry in 1806 and one in 1785, on page one of the register. Deaths: In Fetlar there are no entries 1803–1821. There is a duplicate or copy of the record from 1803–1820. In North Yell there are no notations. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1754–1820, 1830, 1838–1966 Accounts 1818–1859 Communicants 1834–1840 Parochial Library Register 1834–1859 Collections, Births, Marriages and Deaths 1852–1870 Cash Book 1830–1879 Note: Available at the Shetland Archives, Lerwick, Scotland, record CH2/151.

Fetlar Free Church
History— In 1843 a congregation was formed with the status of a preaching station under the care of John Ingram, minister of Unst. They met for worship in Smithfield House until the church was opened in 1846. The charge was sanctioned in 1848 under the condition that it be united with Yell. The Presbytery could not entertain this condition and no settlement was made. In 1854 Fetlar was again reduced to a preaching station. Finally, in 1866 the charge was sanctioned. The manse was built in 1868. A decline in the population, due to the failure of the white fishing and absence of local industries, told adversely on the congregation. Most of the lads went to sea and the girls went into domestic service. Men and women went to Lerwick and other places for work connected with the herring fishing. Membership: 1868, 128; 1900, 92. 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— There no known pre-1855 records.

North Yell Free Church
History— In 1843 a number of people "came out" and were cared for by Dr. Ingram of Unst as he found the opportunity to do so. He ordained office bearers and dispensed sacraments in the open air. For many years services were held by student missionaries and others in North Yell, Mid Yell and West Yell. The congregation at North Yell worshiped in a house until, in 1862, the church was opened. The charge was sanctioned in 1864. In 1865 a church and manse were built at West Yell which was placed on the footing of a preaching station. For the members of Mid Yell, Mrs. Gudge of Seafield gave the use of a hall where, from 1864, services were held and the sacrament dispensed by the minister and office bearers of North Yell. The population consisted of crofters. The leaving of many young men and women for employment in the towns was a serious drawback. Membership: 1865, 207; 1900, 182. 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 1825–1931 Note: Available at the Shetland Archives, Lerwick, Scotland, record CH2/1076.

North Yell Moorfield Congregational Church
History— A church was formed here about 1847 and ceased about 1884. 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

Return to Zetland parish list.