North Knapdale, Argyl, Scotland

Parish #530

History
The whole district of Knapdale formed originally one parish, called Cil mhic O charmaig, the burying ground of the son of O’Carmaig. In 1734 the district was divided into North and South. Lochgilphead is the nearest town. O’Carmaig was an Irish saint, who founded the first church in Knapdale. The major land owners were: Neil Malcolm, Esq. of Poltalloch; James A. Campbell, Esq. of Inverneill and Ross; and Colonel J.D.B. Elphinstone of Carsaig. The land was primarily used for, sheep, cattle, oats, horses, corn, and barley. The population in 1801 was 2401. The population in 1841 was 2170. The earliest date of the parish register is 1775, but was not kept regularly until 1816. There are 2 churches in the parish.

This account was written in 1844.

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: Irregular entries for 1781–1799 are recorded at December 1799. The record is incomplete May 1807–October 1808. Marriages: There are no entries except two for 1791–1798, June 1781–June 1800 and April 1802–January 1810. An erasure occurs at the end of the entry dated May 26, 1810. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
No known records are available.

North Knapdale Free Church
History— This congregation was formed at the Disruption, but there were many difficulties to contend with in this broken and scattered district, and suitable sites for a building were refused. North and South Knapdale were sanctioned as one charge in 1845. Later it was found better to unite South Knapdale with Kilberry. The church was built in 1844 and the manse about 1854. A church was also erected at Bellanoch in 1874. A new church was built at Knapdale in 1899–1900. Membership: 1855, 13; 1900, 42. 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— No known pre-1855 records exist.

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