Riccarton, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Riccarton, Ayr, Scotland (#611)

History
This account was written in 1839.

The Richard Wallace from who the name of the parish and village is derived, was most probably the individual of that name to whom the estate was originally given by Walter High Steward of Scotland.

Riccarton, Hurlfor, and Sornhill are the nearest towns.

Sir John Cunninghame of Caprington, who was created a baronet by King Charles II., was a lawyer of great eminence in his day.

The major land owners were: His Grace the Duke of Portland; John Smith Cuninghame, Esq. of Caprington; G. J. Campbell, Esq. of Treesbank; The hon. Colonel Macadam Catheart of Craigengillan; and C. Shedden, Esq. of Knockmarloch. The land was primarily used for, dairy, oats, wheat, barley, potatoes, turnips, cattle, and horses. The population in 1792 was 1000. The population in 1838 was 2714.

The registers begin in 1695 but have not been kept regularly until recently.

The number belonging to the Established Church was 2410, and there were 304 belonging to all other churches.

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

Established Church—Old Parochial Registers
Years Covered FHL Film Number Births: 1695–1854 1041404 item 1–2 Marriages:1695–1854 1041404 item 1–2 Deaths: No entries

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 February 1704–February 1706. Entries are frequently out of order of time after 1802. Marriages: There are no entries December 1738–February 1787 or January 1790–September 1792. After May 1804 entries are only proclamations. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1787–1809 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1014.

Hurlford Free Church
History— In December 1846 services were begun in Crookedholm. Recognized as a station in 1852, the charge was sanctioned, as that of Hurlford in 1856. Church and manse were erected in 1857. A quoad sacra church, with generous endowments, was built in 1874. Serious fluctuations in trade and the shifting character of the population also affected the congregation. Membership: 1859, 140; 1900, 276. See also Kilmarnock-King Street 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— There are no known pre–1855 records.