South Ronaldshay & Burray, Orkney, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #29 (South Ronaldshay is divided into northern and southern divisions, apart from Burray).

History
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 Registers—
Indexed: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: North Parish has only two entries, 1760–1772; registers are very irregular 1772–1781. South Parish has three pages of irregular entries 1763–1797 after February 1794. Marriages: North Parish has no entries 1786–1787 and South Parish has no entries for 1780–1808. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
North Parish, St. Peter's - Minutes 1735–1747, 1786–1866 Minutes - discipline 1830–1843 Cash Book 1830–1841, 1837–1895 Note: Available on Film at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1101.

South Ronaldshay United Associate Congregation
History— South Ronaldshay is situated near the mainland of Scotland and nearly 3000 souls live within its 18 miles. Supply of sermon was afforded to this place by the United Associate Presbytery of Edinburgh in 1826. A congregation was organized and a place of worship containing 342 sittings was built the same year. A new church was built in 1856 seating 315. 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.

Records— Minutes 1843–1864 Baptisms 1854–1856 Communion Roll 1843–1854 Deaths 1854–1856 Communion Roll 1844–1959 Note: Available on Film at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1112.

Burray Baptist Church
History— In 1802 Alexander Kennedy, a native of the Island of Stroma, went to reside in Burray, at which time he was a member of the Independent Church. Shortly after his arrival he opened a meeting in his own house for worship, which was kept regularly every Sunday for a number of years. In 1811 he was baptized by Mr. A. M’Beath, one of the brethren from Thurso. Preachers came to visit and others were baptized. In 1840 the meeting was removed from Mr. Kennedy’s house to the public schoolroom, where the brethren continued to meet regularly until they entered their present place of worship. It was opened on the 14th of June 1848, the number of church members being 18. In 1849 the number was 55, and in 1850 it stood at 69. Up to this time the church had no regular pastor. In 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair, from St. Margaret’s Hope, were baptized and received into the church. Afterwards Mr. Sinclair became the leader. In 1862 a manse was built and Mr. Sinclair was called to be the pastor. In 1874 the membership stood at 81. A decline in the fishing industry affected the area and the Burray pastorate came to an end in 1941. The church was finally closed in 1966. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926, FHL British Book 941 K2hi, it contains a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For more information write to: The Baptist Union of Scotland, Baptist Church House 14 Aytoun Road Glasgow, G41 5RT Scotland

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