Kilfinan, Argyl, Scotland

Parish #518

History
The name of this parish signifies the church burying place of St. Finan. Kilfinan is the nearest town. There are ruines in this parish thought to have been Druidial Temples or places of worship. The major land owners were: Archibald James Lamont of Lamont; Mungo Nutter Campbell of Ballimore; Mrs. Ann Campbell of Otter; John M’Iver of Ardmarnock; and Alexander M’Alestes of Loup. The land was primarily used for Manufacturing of gun powder, sheep, cattle, potatoes, herring fishing. The population in 1793 was 1417. The population in 1841 was 1816. The parish registers have been pretty regularly kept since June 1742. There are 2 church buildings in the parish. No Dissenters in the parish. This account was written in 1843.

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.

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 family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: No record exists until June 1742 except five irregular entries of one family 1728–1736. Only two entries appear October 1756–January 1760. No entries exist June 1770–April 1772. There are several defective entries 1803–1804; during the dates 1804–1810 interpolated entries occur regularly. The session clerk copied the portion prior to October 1778 from an old register in 1821. Mothers' names were seldom recorded until January 1745. Marriages: The page at November 1783 is imperfect, and the record is blank July 1784–January 1786. No entries appear July 1805–November 1806 or February 1807–January 1809. The fact of marriage is not added to the entries in 1806–1807. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1721–1722, 1742–1774, 1836–1880 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/880.

Kilfinnan Free Church
History— Joseph Stark, minister of the parish and many of his people left the Established Church in 1843. At first they worshiped in the open air. During stormy weather they worshiped in a barn or in the public rooms of the Inn. In 1850 a church was erected at Millhouse and another in 1861 at Kifinnan. A church was built at Tighnabruaich which had become popular as a summer resort in 1863. In 1877 Tighnabruaich was separated into a separate charge. The new congregation acquired the church and contributed money for the purchase of the manse at Auchenlochan. Because of the Declaratory Act, a number of members seceded and formed the Free Presbyterian congregation. Membership: 1848, 53; 1900, 62. 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 ministers.

Records— Minutes 1843–1916 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/919.

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