Balfron, Stirlingshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #472

= History =

To be added

= Census Records =

To be added

= 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 and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index.

Births: The records are blank June 1692–October 1693. The first part of this record appears to be an old transcript. Two leaves of the original are extant, with entries June 1709–June 1711, which embrace the names of witnesses of the births, wanting in the transcript. Also, a separate record for dissenters’ children 1796–1819, on thirty–four pages after births for 1820, the continuation of, 1820–1854, is placed after the regular record for 1854.

Marriages: Proclamations; the first part of the record is an old transcript. It contains no entries for 1694, or 1697, and is blank, excluding one entry for 1714, July 1701–May 1716. There is, however, one leaf of the original extant, containing entries August 1709–May 1711. The record is blank also March 1723–May 1725. The fact of marriage is not infrequently added to the entries prior to 1727; very rarely after that date.

Source: Key To The Parochial Registers Of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
There are no known records.

Holm of Balfron General Associate Secession, later United Presbyterian Church
History—

When the parish and church of Balfron became vacant in 1730, there was great disagreement about who the new minister should be. Some of the parishioners withdrew from the Establishment and adhered to the Associate Presbytery. A minister was eventually settled and a church was erected in 1739. A new church was built in 1790 and another in 1861 on the banks of the Endrick river. The minister and the majority of the congregation adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod at the Breach in 1747. In 1752, a portion of the congregation resident in Kippen parish broke away and built a place of worship in Buchlyvie. The minister went with them and the Holm congregation called a new minister. Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary of Scotland 1851, states that there was a United Original Seceders congregation in the parish, and this is likely it. They later united with the Balfron United Presbyterian Church, formerly the Relief Church, in 1880.

Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—                                                  FHL Film Number

Baptisms 1742–1791                                    0889482 item 1 Session Minutes 1742–1787, 1796–1812         0889482 item 1 Accounts 1742–1787, 1796–1812                    0889482 item 1 Baptisms, Deaths, and Minutes 1813–1864      0889482 item 1

Other: Managers’ Minutes and Some Accounts 1793–1802 Avowal and Renewal of Adherence to the National and Solemn League and Covenant 1755, 1758, 1769, 1777 Minutes for Society for Religious Purposes 1836 Rolls of Members 1812

Note: Available at the Stirling Council Archives, Stirling, Scotland, records CH3/425.

Balfron Relief Church, later United Presbyterian
History—

This congregation originated with some calico printers, previously in connection with the Relief Church, who had come to the area for work from elsewhere in the country. They applied for and obtained a supply of sermons from the Relief Presbytery of Glasgow in 1793. Church built in 1797. This congregation joined the United Presbyterian Church in 1847, as did most Relief congregations. They united with the Holm of Balfron United Presbyterian congregation in 1880.

Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— Managers’ Minutes 1833–1891 Liquidation of Debt, Minutes and Subscriptions 1845–1846 Cash Book 1840–1903 Note: Available at the Stirling Council Archives, Stirling, Scotland, records CH3/426.

Balfron Associate Burgher Church

History— This congregation originated in the same circumstances as the Relief Church mentioned above. The persons who had been connected with the Secession Church would not join in the movement for a Relief congregation but insisted upon having a place of worship in their own connection. They therefore applied to the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Stirling for a supply of sermons, which was granted in 1798. Church built in 1800. The print–field, which had drawn so many work people to Balfron, was removed after a time to Campsie. The population of the place decreased and, shortly after the minister’s death in 1821, the Secession congregation became extinct. Source: Annals and Statistics Of The United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Balfron Free Church

See Killearn parish.

Balfron Catholic Church

History— The congregation was formed in 1850 but was served from various locations until 1900.

Records— For records 1850–1858, see Lennoxtown in Campsie parish.

Balfron Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints

Records— FHL Film Number Record of Members 1847–1855 104149 item 7