Longformacus, Berwickshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish # 750

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Longformacus.

= History =

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

= Census Records =

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

= Church Records =

The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about Church Records.

Here are the pre-1855 records that exist for this parish.

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 intermixed with other matters until 1683. There are no entries December 1683–April 1689. After that date, births are intermixed with marriages. Some early pages are damaged. Only two entries exist March 1710–June 1715, after which the records of births and marriages are kept separately. Mothers’ names are not recorded until August 1772. Marriages: Marriages are intermixed with births prior to 1710. There are no entries July 1683–April 1689 and July 1709–May 1715, after which the record is chiefly proclamations, except entries of irregular marriages. Deaths: Mortcloth Dues are recorded until 1734, but then the record is blank until November 1772, after which burials and Mortcloth Dues are recorded. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
The Kirk session was the court of the parish. The Kirk session was made up of he minister and the land owners and business men of the parish, chosen to serve on the session. The Kirk session dealt with moral issues, minor criminal cases, matters of the poor and education, matters of discipline, and the general concerns of the parish. Kirk session records may also mention births, marriages, and deaths.

Minutes 1684–1711, 1715–1866 - with gaps Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/250.

Nonconformist Church Records
A nonconformist church is any church that is not the Established church. Read more about nonconformity in Scotland in the article on the Scotland Church Records Union List

In 1834 there were sixteen Dissenter families within the parish who were attending services chiefly in Dunse.

Longformacus Free Church
History— In December 1844, forty-four adherents of the Free Church petitioned the Presbytery for the erection of a church and supply of services. A catechist was appointed that year. The church was built in 1848 and enlarged in 1869. The charge was finally sanctioned in 1870. Membership: 1871, 107; 1900, 91. 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— Minutes 1845–1941 Account Books 1845–1931 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/221.

= Civil Registrtion Records =

Government or civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths (also called Statutory records) began on January 1, 1855 in Scotland. Each parish has a registrar's office and large cities have several. The records are created by the registrars and copies are sent to the General Register Office in Edinburgh. Annual indexes are then created for the records for the whole country. See the article on Scotland Civil Registration  for more information and to access the records.

= Probate Records =

Read more about Scotland Probate Records.

Return to the Berwickshire parish list.