Langholm, Dumfriesshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #839

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 were indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries May 1687–October 1729 except for three in 1690, and four irregular 1687–1696. Mothers' names are not recorded until 1729. Marriages: There are no entries April 1687–May 1704, July 1750–May 1760, October 1790–February 1792, and June 1799–January 1801 except one 1759. Deaths: There are no death entries July 1675–February 1719. From 1794–1816, the entries usually contain only the name of the deceased and the date of burial. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1743–1929 Presbytery Registers 1744–1910 (It contains a list of ministers' widows, etc.) Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/235.

Langholm Associate, later North United Presbyterian Church
History— In 1780, at a meeting for Christian fellowship, there was adopted a resolution to withdraw from the Establishment and connect themselves with the Secession. This was accordingly done by a successful application for supply of sermon to the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Edinburgh, 1781. In 1782, the people commenced building a place of worship for themselves, but the work proceeded very slowly. In 1786 a passing stranger, seeing it in an unfinished state, handed over a sum of money sufficient for the completion of the undertaking, and departed. By the next year the little sanctuary was finished, and occupied. A staff of elders was ordained in 1787. A second church was built in 1822 and a third in 1866–1867. Membership: 1835, 400 from within the parish plus others from without. Membership includes the number of those attending the Relief church. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

Langholm Relief, later South United Presbyterian Church
History— About the year 1798, the minister of the parish of Canonbie, which adjoins that of Langholm, became incapacitated and an unacceptable preacher was appointed as his assistant. Several of the parishioners withdrew from the Established Church, and they connected themselves with the Relief congregation in Waterbeck, They applied for and obtained supply of sermon at Canonbie in 1800, from the Relief Presbytery of Dumfries, After delays, they turned their attention to the town of Langholm, 6 miles distant, as a place where they might possibly obtain their object. A Church was built in 1807. In 1830, a new minister was ordained over the Relief congregation of Waterbeck, and soon after took up the cause of Langholm. The congregation rallied again, and in a few years obtained another pastor. Membership: See the Associate church above. No breakdown of the individual numbers is available. 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— The extent of records is unknown. No records are deposited at a record office or library.

Langholm Free Church
History— This congregation dates from the Disruption. A small wooden structure served at first as a place of worship. Church and manse were built in 1845; the church bearing the inscription, "Free Protesting Church." Membership: 1848, 140; 1900, 216. 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— The extent of records is unknown. No records are deposited at a record office or library.

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