Tranent, East Lothian, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #722

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Tranent. To learn more about how to use these records to search for your ancestors, go to the Scotland: Research Strategies.

= History =

Available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages via the parish reports.

= Census Records =

A census is a count and description of the population, taken by the government, arranged by locality and by household. Read more about census records.

= Church Records =

Established Church—Old Parochial Registers
Years Covered FHL Film Number Births: 1611–1645, 1661–1683 - baptisms 1067860 item 4–6 1685–1687 0304667 item 1 1688–1693 1067862 item 1–2 1711–1749 1067860 item 4–6 1750–1826 1067861 1826–1855 1067862 item 1–2 1835–1846 - neglected entries 1067862 item 1–2 Marriages: 1611–1644, 1668–1682 1067860 item 4–6 1688–1693 1067862 item 1–2 1718–1749 1067860 item 4–6 1750–1826 1067861 1826–1854 1067862 item 1–2 Deaths: 1618–1632 - burials 1067860 item 4–6 1782–1854. 1067861

= Condition of Original Registers— =

Indexed: 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: Records are blank February 1621–September 1626. Early leaves are much wasted, particularly 1626–1632, many entries being almost entirely destroyed. Records are also blank August 1645–August 1661, and April 1662–January 1668. Seven leaves of entries, 1671–1680 are at June 1683. Records are blank June 1683–December 1711, and March 1717–November 1718. Records are tabulated 1718–1762. Mothers’ names are not recorded until April 1643. Marriages: Marriage records prior to 1644, are on occasional pages of the register of births. They are blank July 1644–February 1668, November 1683–December 1711, from which date until March 1717, entries are intermixed with births. Records are blank March 1717–November 1718. Two leaves at this date are imperfect. Records blank April 1745–July 1747 and a large number of the marriages recorded after 1750 are irregular. Deaths: Entries 1618–1632 are mixed with births. They are blank November 1620–October 1626, and excluding one entry 1632 October 1631–January 1782; also excluding one entry 1793, May 1787– December 1802. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records

Minutes 1651–1657, 1670–1680, 1684–1686, 1701–1904 Accounts 1711–1786, 1834–1843 Stipend Accounts 1806–1807, 1823–1848 Heritors’ and Session Minutes Concerning the Poor 1722–1753 Seat Rents etc. 1822–1833 Mortality Bill 1754–1781 Decreets of Locality 1826–1827 and 1832 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/357.

Nonconformist Church Records

The New Statistical Account of Scotland for Tranent 1839 states that there were at that time within the parish about 640 nonconformists, about 18% of the population.

Tranent Burgher Church, later United Presbyterian, then Wishart United Free Church

History— When the church and parish of Tranent became vacant in 1740, the majority of the parishioners disapproved of the patron’s choice of a new minister. The reclaiming party seceded to the Associate Presbytery, but as the Presbytery was unable to supply them with preachers, they joined themselves to the congregation of Haddington, then forming. The following year they petitioned to be formed into a separate congregation, but before that could take place, the Burgess Oath controversy divided them, as it did all other members of the denomination throughout the country. Thirty years passed before those members of the First Secession congregation of Haddington, resident in and about Tranent, applied for and, after much opposition, obtained supply of sermon in Tranent in 1771. A church was built; a second was built in 1826. This congregation apparently became United Presbyterian in 1847 and United Free Church in 1900. 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— Minutes 1777–1819, 1822–1846, 1872–1913 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/560.

Tranent Free Church

History— The parish ministers of Tranent and Gladsmuir did not “come out” in 1843. The people adhering to the Free Church in these parishes formed the congregation in Tranent. A minister was settled in August 1843 and a church was erected. It was repaired and reseated in 1898. A school, later used as a hall, was built in 1846, and reconstructed in 1887. Membership: 1848, 240; 1900, 171. 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— FHL Film Number Baptisms 1843–1888 0889488 item 1 Other: Minutes 1845–1895 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/561.

Tranent Branch, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints

History— Unavailable

Records— FHL Film Number Record of Members, early to 1868 0104156 item 6

= Civil Registration Records =

= Probate Records =

Return to the East Lothian parish list.