Ardnamurchan, Argyllshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #505

History
Before the reformation, 3 parishes comprised this area. At the establishment of the Protestant Church these came under the care of one minister. In 1639 a Minister of the Church of Scotland was already established. The village of Ardnafuaran is the nearest town. The occupancy of this district was by the Earl of Islay. It was in the way of every Norse evasion.The land was primarily used for, lead mines, sheep, black cattle farming, oats, potatoes, hay, gardens, and orchards. The population in 1795 was 2552. In the rugged and secluded quarter the inhabitants are Roman Catholics. Protestants are about 1/6 of the population. A parish church was built in 1831. This account was written in 1838.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol. 7) 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.

This parish also includes Acharacle, Ardnamurchan, Strontian or Sunart, and Kintra Mission.

Condition of Original Records—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and the family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Acharacle: there is no record prior to 1829. Ardnamurchan: the pages are blank January 1779 –May 1802 and April 1809–May 1810. The record proper terminates January 1812 and is followed by a supplement to the parish register of Ardnamurchan for baptisms in the Mission of Kintra, etc., from March 1810. Strontian or Sunart: a separate register exists from May 1804, which is blank except for a few entries, October 1811–March 1814. Marriages:Aharchle: there is no record prior to 1831. Ardnamurchan: no record occurs until April 1810, except entries for May 1776–September 1778, with one entry for 1787, when the supplementary register for the Mission of Kintra commences'''. Strontian or Sunart:''' blank pages occur February 1811–January 1815 except for one entry for 1813. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British book 941 K23b.

Acharacle
Minutes 1837–1840 Note:Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/439.

Strontian Free Church
History— Those who adhered to the Free Church formed this congregation at the Disruption. The congregation, prohibited from erecting even a tent in which to worship, in 1846 arranged for a floating church which was anchored in the loch. Later, it was driven ashore by a storm but remained accessible. Finally in 1869 the congregation secured a site and erected a church. Membership: 1854, 30; 1900, 21. 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— Extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Arisaig Catholic Church
History— A church was consecrated to St. Mary in 1800 but no early records survive.

Records— Baptisms 1837–1960 Marriages 1837–1961 Confirmations 1843–1927 Deaths 1837–1970 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record RH21/44.

Moidart Catholic Church
History— A church was consecrated to Our Lady of the Angels in 1769 but no early records survive.

Records— Baptisms 1829–1861 Marriages 1830–1908 Deaths 1838–1855 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record RH21/48.

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