West Kilbride, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #620

History
Portincross and Dalry were the nearest towns. The name is derived from St. Bryde, a virgin of great celebrity in the Scotch Kalendar, to whom the church was dedicated. There is seven miles of coast. The major land owners were: Lady Mary Montgomery Lamb; John Crawford of Auchnames; and Mrs. Hunter of Hunterston. The land was primarily used for, potatoes, turnips, carrot, wheat, oats, barley, peas, barley, horses, cows, and sheep. The population in 1793 was 698, and in 1831 was 1684. The registers have been kept regularly from1691 and are very complete and in good condition. About 250 families attend the Established Church with 515 communicants. The United Associated Synod has a usual attendance of 150.

This account was written in 1837. source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol. 5

Condition of Original Registers—
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:Entries up to August 1715 are a copy. Mothers' names are not recorded between September 1699 and April 1702. There are no entries December 1706–December 1707 or August 1715–July 1716. Entries are frequently out of the order of time after 1807. Marriages: There are no entries November 1754–June 1761. Deaths: Deaths are intermixed with entries of names of persons who were married and who had children baptized. The record is limited to the time when the tax of three pence was applied for each entry of births, marriages, and deaths. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Accounts 1834–1845 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/874.

West Kilbride United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated with members of the Secession and Relief Churches in Saltcoats, they obtained supply of sermon from the United Associate Presbytery of Kilmarnock, November 1821. They took possession of a place of worship they had built in 1828. 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 1828–1836, 1848–1901 Communion Roll 1828 Ledger 1847–1900 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1035.

West Kilbride Free Church
History— Thomas Findlay, minister of the parish, and a considerable part of his congregation, "came out" at the Disruption. At first they worshiped in a hall, and their own church was built and opened in December 1843. The manse was erected in 1846. A new church was built on another site in 1881. Membership: 1848, 100; 1900, 256. 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— Deacons' Court Minutes 1846–1934 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/845.

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