Lanark, Lanarkshire, Scotland Genealogy

Lanark (#648)

= History =

The New Statistical Account of Scotland (pub. 1834-45) offers uniquely rich and detailed parish reports for the whole of Scotland, covering a vast range of topics including history, agriculture, education, trades, religion and social customs. The reports, written by the parish ministers, are available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Click on ‘Browse scanned pages’ then search the parish reports for Lanark. Also available at the Family History Library.

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: 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: The first seven pages are incomplete and the lower portion of the pages, 1688–1699, are destroyed. Marriages: Except between July 1686 and August 1687 when the fact of marriage is not unfrequently added to the entries, the record is almost exclusively one of proclamations. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Session Book 1699–1735 Session Minutes 1725–1985 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1529.

Lanark Free Church
History— The minister and practically the entire congregation of St. Leonard’s church “came out” in 1843. They were deprived of their church in 1845. They purchased the old Associate Burgher church on Hope Street and adapted it for their own use. Membership: 1848, 360; 1900, 470. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Lanark First United Presbyterian Church
History— When the church and parish of Lanark became vacant in 1748, there was a dispute as to who should be the new minister. There was great opposition to the candidate. When both the Presbytery and the Synod found in his favor, two of the bailies of Lanark, along with a number of the people of the parish, petitioned the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Glasgow to be taken under its inspection. This was initially refused so the seceders became part of a congregation at Cambusnethan, in spite of the travel distance. They continued to worship there until 1785 when they were finally formed as a separate congregation. A church was built in 1791. After the death of its minister in 1842, the church became a mission station until 1844. The congregation became extinct in 1846 just prior to the union between the Secession and Relief Churches, which would have made the congregation redundant. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including name of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Broomgate Relief, later United Presbyterian Church
History— A Relief Church congregation was organized in 1795. A church was built in Broomgate in 1796 and a new church was built in 1872/3. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including name of ministers.

Records— Marriages 1845–1856 Communion Roll 1838 Other Post–1855 Records Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1449.

Hope Street United Presbyterian Church
History— When the minister of Broomgate died in 1835, a minority of the congregation preferred another minister to the one chosen by the majority. They therefore applied to the Relief Presbytery of Hamilton to be disjoined and were formed into a separate congregation in 1836. They built a place of worship that year. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including name of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Lanark Congregational Church
History— A congregation in sympathy with Evangelical Union principles was formed in 1847. It joined the Union in 1862. This congregation was still active in 1993. A congregation in New Lanark was formed in 1837 but ceased to meet in 1870. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL Book 941 K2es. This book includes a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland.

Lanark Roman Catholic Church
History— This area was served from Glasgow in 1841–1844, from Airdrie in 1844–1845, and from Hamilton in 1845–1849. This church was founded in 1849 and the church was dedicated to St. Mary in 1859. The first resident priest transferred to Carluke and took the early records with him. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700–1880: Vol. 6 Scotland, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. FHL Ref. Book 942 K24gm Vol. 6.

Records— Baptisms 1849–1859 Marriages 1849–1859 Note: Copies available at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh, record RH21/2, cataloged as Carluke. Later records are in the hands of the parish priest of Lanark.

Lanark Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints
Records—                                                         FHL Film Number  Record of Members    1844–1886         0104154 item 9  Return to the Lanarkshire  parish list.