Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Genealogy

Old Deer #228

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: 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: Early registers were lost. With the exception of the year 1739, the record is extremely defective until 1744. Irregular entries occasionally occur throughout. Marriages: Records are blank August 1740–April 1743, and October 1743–July 1750. The leaf at March 1771 is imperfect and four entries defective in consequence. There are only three entries November 1804–April 1806. Deaths: Mortcloth Dues 1771–1806; names often omitted after 1786. Burials in Old Deer and at Fetter–Angus commence December 1783, and are continued to January 1806. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b. Monumental Inscriptions: for Fetter Angus Kirkyard, FHL Book 941.25/F5 V3s. Fetter Angus is actually in the part of Old Deer parish in the county of Banff.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1633–1644, 1740, 1750–1756, 1797–1861 Poors’ Fund Accounts 1750–1756, 1770–1853 Treasurer’s Accounts 1850–1871 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1217.

Deer Presbytery
Records— Minutes 1602–1621, 1649–1660, 1701–1909 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/89.

Nonconformist Church Records
The Statistical Account of Scotland for Old Deer for 1797 gave the memberships of the nonconformist groups as 721 Episcopalian, 12 Catholic, and 229 Anti-burgher Seceders. The New Statistical Account of Scotland for Old Deer for 1840 states that of 984 families then in the parish, 83 were Episcopalian, 157 were Original or United Secession, and 30 were Dissenters, chiefly Congregationalists.

Clola Secession, later Free Church
History— The minister of Old Deer was one of the 42 ministers who protested against the Act of Assembly in 1732, which led to the Secession of the “Four Brethren,” but he did not secede with them. He continued however to preach for their cause and against the Church of Scotland which led several of his parishioners to withdrew from his ministry and the Church and, along with other Seceders in the surrounding district, form the congregation of Craigdam, 16 miles distant. They continued in connection with that congregation until 1766 when, along with the Seceders in the parish of New Deer, they were separated from it and formed into the united congregations of Whitehill and Clola, both of which the minister supplied until they were also disjoined after 1777. Church built in 1784 on the estate of Kinmundy. This congregation, which was apparently Anti-burgher, became United Associate in 1820 then joined the Free Church in 1852. See also New Deer parish. Membership: 1859, 88; 1900, 157. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. ALSO 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 sources including lists of ministers.

Records— Minutes 1852–1897 Other post-1855 records. Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/657.

Stewartfield United Associate Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated in the union of the two great branches of the Secession in 1820. The majority of the congregation of Clola, with which the persons forming the congregation of Stewartfield were previously connected, took part with their minister in his protest against that union, and with him abstained from joining in it. The minority approving of it, petitioned the United Associate Presbytery of Aberdeen to be recognized as a congregation in their connection, which was allowed. Church built in 1822. This congregation became United Presbyterian in 1847. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— No known surviving Records.

Old Deer Free Church
History— Regular services were provided at Stewartfield, where a congregation was formed immediately after the Disruption. Church and manse were erected. The charge was sanctioned in 1845. In 1897 the health of the minister of the neighboring United Presbyterian church failed, and a union was effected between the two congregations in October of that year. The united congregation became a United Presbyterian charge. Membership: 1848, 320; 1893, 180. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records— No known surviving Records.

Stewartfield, Stuartfield Congregational Church
History— This church was formed in 1802. Three members of the Anti-burgher church at Clola joined with nine converts of a neighboring Episcopalian divine to form a prayer meeting and later a congregation. They erected a chapel in 1801 and formed themselves into a church the following year. The church ceased in 1900. Source: The Scottish Congregational Ministry, by Rev. Dr. William D. McNaughton, pub. 1993. FHL Book 941 K2mwd. Additional details in the source include list of ministers.

Records— The extent of Records is unknown. For information, write to: The United Reformed Church Synod of Scotland 340 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BQ Scotland

Old Deer Episcopal Church
History— This congregation has existed since the Revolution. A chapel was erected in 1776. A few members were landed proprietors but the majority were from the poor and working classes. Source: History of the Scottish Episcopal Church, by John P. Lawson, pub. 1843. No copy is available in the FHL.

Records— Christenings 1681–1834, along with explanatory annotations and genealogy of the Keith family Marriages 1684–1731, 1829–1854 Note: Copies of the christenings and the early marriages are held in the Brechin Diocesan Library Manuscripts collection at the Dundee University Archives. You can contact them at archives”dundee.ac.uk.

The later marriages are apparently in the hands of the minister at: Old Deer Episcopal Church c/o 12 Bain Terrace Mintlaw, Peterhead AB42 5HB Scotland

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