Kirkoswald, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Kirkoswald, Ayr, Scotland (#601)

History
This parish takes its name from Oswald, a Northumbrian king of the Heptarchy, who built a church on the site of the burying ground beside the village, in gratitude, it is said, for a victory he had there obtained. Kirkoswald is the nearest town. Upon a small promontory on the barony of Turnberry, now the property of the Earl of Cassillis, are the ruins of the famous castle of Turnberry, the seat of the Earls of Carrick. The land was primarily used for, wheat, beans, oats, dairies, cheese, coal, some fishing of salmon, white-fish, and herring. The population in 1081 was 1679. The population in 1841 was 2030. There are registers of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths, all regularly kept. No dates given of when they commenced. The whole population with the exception of five or six Dissenting families, belong to the Established Church.

This historical account was written in 1842.

source:New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol.5)

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 “Databases on the Network.” Births:There are no entries January 1699–November 1700 and May 1797–January 1798. A portion of the page at December 1781 is cut off. After December 1816 is a copy or draft of entries for October 1787–May 1792. Marriages From May 1699–January 1797 the names of two witnesses are usually recorded. Deaths: There are no entries October 1738–March 1741, January 1790–May 1793, and December 1808–January 1819. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1617–1660, 1694–1755, 1760–1961 Accounts 1736–1738, 1755–1768, 1847–1949 List of Parishioners 1831 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/562.

Kirkoswald Free Church
History— This congregation was formed by members and adherents who left the Established Church at the Disruption. In 1845 a catechist was appointed to work in Kirkoswald and the neighboring village of Maidens. That year the congregation was recognized as a preaching station. The lease of certain old properties in Kirkoswald village was purchased, and on the site thus secured, the church was built in 1849. The charge was sanctioned in 1860. A manse was erected in 1862. Membership: 1866, 90; 1900, 148. 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, including a list of ministers.

Records— Accounts 1851–1874 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/498.