Sorbie, Wigtownshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #897

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Sorbie. To learn more about how to use these records to search for your ancestors, go to the Scotland: Research Strategies.

= History =

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

History coming soon.

= Census Records =

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

Here is a list of the Family History Library microfilm numbers for the census records of [Parish] as well as the library numbers for any surname indexes available:

The 1901 census of Scotland is indexed on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. To use it, you must register and pay a small access fee. All available censuses, 1841-1901, are indexed on this website. It may be easier for you to pay to use the website rather than access indexes through the library.

= Church Records =

The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about church records.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Inex.

Births: There are no entries July 1721–January 1739 and the record is incomplete 1739–1745 inclusive. The portion 1761–1771 is in the form of a small memorandum book. No entries, except one page of entries, April 1773–January 1774, July 1771–September 1789 and June 1790–June 1794, except twelve irregular entries, 1787–1806. Marriages: There are no entries June 1721–June 1794 and November 1814–June 1816. Deaths: The records are Mortcloth Dues intermixed with other matters. Two entries of deaths, dated 1813 and 1818. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1700–1702, 1829–1856 Poors’ Account 1797–1821 Accounts 1845–1863 Loose Cash Records 1765–1775 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/332.

Sorbie Free Church, at Garlieston
History— Dr. Alexander Forrester, assistant minister of the parish, and about half the members of the congregation, “came out” in 1843. Dr. Forrester was the only minister in Wigtown Presbytery who left the establishment. On him, therefore, it fell at first to form and organize the Free Churches within the bounds. A site for a church was refused by the principal proprietors. David Rodger, a member purchased a feu in the village of Sorbie and gave it to the congregation. There the church was built in 1844 and the manse in 1848. The church was renovated in 1873. Membership: 1848, 300; 1900, 121. 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 records is unknown.

Garlieston Congregational Church
History— This church was founded in 1803 as a result of the evangelistic labors of James Haldane and John Aikman. The church was erected in 1804 on the property of the Earl of Galloway. It was very simple with earthen floors. A non-denominational Sunday school was opened sometime later. The first minister was Thomas Smith, 1803–1829. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. Glasgow, 1960 FHL book 941 K2es. This source gives a full list of ministers

Records— The extent of records is unknown. Contact: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Return to the Wigtonshire parish list.