Montrose, Angus, Scotland Genealogy

Scotland Angus  Montrose

Parish #312

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

= History =

MONTROSE, a royal burgh, sea-port, and parish, in the county of Forfar; 21 miles (E. N. E.) from Forfar, and 72 (N. E. by N.) from Edinburgh. This place, anciently called Celurca, is supposed to have derived its present name from the Gaelic Main Ross, signifying "a promontory in the fens;" though the device of the town-seal apparently favours the fanciful derivation from the Latin Mons Rosarum, or "the Mount of Roses." The town is situated on the western shore of the peninsula, bounded on the east by the German Sea. The parish church, with the exception of the tower, was rebuilt in 1791, and was repaired in 1832, when the old steeple, being thought insecure, was taken down, and replaced by a handsome square embattled tower surmounted with a lofty spire. The interior, which is well arranged, has two tiers of galleries, and contains 2500 sittings. The church dedicated to St. John was originally built as a chapel of ease, in 1829 is neat and substantial, and contains 1500 sittings. There are two Episcopalian chapels, one of which, dedicated to St. Peter, is in strict connexion with the Church of England; and also places of worship for members of the Free Church, the United Secession, Baptists, Independents, and Wesleyans.

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 your parish of interest. Also available at the

= 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.

Click to go to the Family History Library Catalog entry for the census records of Montrose.

The Family History Library also has surname indexes for the and  censuses for the county of Angus.

The 1901 census of Scotland is indexed on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. To use it, you must register and pay a small access fee. All available censuses, 1841-1901, are indexed on this website. It may be easier for you to pay to use the website rather than access the census and indexes through the library.

= Church Records =

The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about church records.

Here are the pre-1855 records that exist for this parish.

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: There is a duplicate record from April 1670–December 1674. Mothers' names are not recorded until June 1680. There are no entries from August 1696–November 1697. Marriages: Except for one page of entries from January–July 1633, there is no record until January 1658. Records are blank from November 1662–April 1670 and blank from Sept 1674–November 1697, except for one entry for 1678. There is record of contracts and proclamations after 1697 and records are blank from December 1728–May 1733. Deaths: There are no entries for 1679. The record is blank from 15 October 1696–November 1697 and December 1698–February 1701. From 1767, there is a list of persons buried at Kinnaber at the end of each year. The number of still births for each year is also given. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
The Kirk session was the court of the parish. The session was made up of the minister and the land owners and business men of the parish, chosen to serve on the session. The Kirk session dealt with moral issues, minor criminal cases, matters of the poor and education, matters of discipline, and the general concerns of the parish. Kirk session records may also mention births, marriages, and deaths.

Here is a list of the surviving Kirk session records for this parish: 

Montrose
Records— Family History Library Film Number Index to Baptisms 1820-1854 Burials 1820-1854  Mortcloth Dues  Register of Offerings and Alms for the Poor 1634–1645  Other: Marriages 1811–1828 Baptisms 1811–1819, 1838–1839 List of Names, Perhaps New Communicants 1834–1871 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/943.

Melville Chapel
Managers’ Minutes 1850–1856 Seat Letting Book 1853–1858 Other post–1855 records Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1324.

Nonconformist Church Records
A nonconformist church is any church that is not the Established church. Read more about nonconformity in Scotland in the article on the Scotland Church Records Union Lists.

General Statement: The New Statistical Account of Scotland for this county, dated February 1835, FHL British Book 941 B4sa Ser. 2, vol. 11 pt. 1, states that there were two Episcopalian chapels including one not connected with the Episcopal Church of Scotland, two United Associate Presbyterian churches, a Methodist church, a Baptist church, a Glasite church, and an Independent or Congregational church in Montrose. The number of families attending the Established church was 2072. Four hundred and forty one families attended the Dissenter and Seceder chapels, 293 families attended the Episcopalian chapels, and eight or ten families professed to be Roman Catholics even though there was no church in the parish. Other churches came into being after 1835.

Mill Street Anti-burgher, United Presbyterian Church, Montrose First
History— The minister of this parish took an active part with four brethren in testifying against the defections of the Church of Scotland, but did not choose to secede with them. On this account several of his parishioners withdrew from his ministry, and along with several persons seceded to the Associate Presbytery in 1735. They were organized into a congregation. While Dundee and Montrose was choosing a minister the controversy respecting the Burgess Oath arose dividing them. The representatives of the persons forming the congregation of Mill Street adhered to the General Associate, Anti-burgher Synod, while the representatives of the persons forming the congregation of John Street, Montrose, adhered to the Associate, Burgher Synod. The first church was built in 1750, a gallery was added in1788. A second church was built in 1851. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D. pub. 1873 Film #. More details may be given in the source.

Records— Baptisms 1745–1799, 1807, 1828–1831 Marriages 1760–1789 Minutes 1788–1869 Managers’ Minutes 1839–1874 Various Cash Books 1784–1858, 1862–1953 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1177.

John Street, Burgher United Presbyterian Church, Montrose Second
History— The history of John Street is identified with that of Mill Street until the Breach in 1747. They were few in number and contented themselves with meeting as a society for prayer and mutual exhortation. In 1764 they applied to the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Perth and Dunfermline for regular supply of sermon, which was granted. Their first church was built in 1784 and a second was built in 1824. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film # More details may be given in the source.

Records— Various Minutes 1787–1792, 1802–1923 Accounts 1790–1827 Cash Book 1823–1884 Baptismal Register 1842–1850 Communion Roll 1853–1923 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/858.

St. George's Free Church
History— The members of the Old Church in Montrose in sympathy with the on–Intrusion party had made preparation in view of the Disruption in 1843. After coming out, they worshiped in a wooden building. A church was built in 1844. A new church was erected in 1859 and renovated in 1896. Membership: 1848, 720; 1900, 547. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #. More details may be given in the source.

Records— Various Minutes 1843–1977 Register of Baptisms 1847–1857 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1179.

St. John's Free Church
History— The minister and congregation of St. John's “quoad sacra” church came out in 1843. They retained their church and a manse was erected in 1863, Queen Street mission hall in 1887, a church hall, session house and vestry in 1892. The trade and population of Montrose greatly declined in later years. Membership: 1848, 750; 1900, 531. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film # More details may be given in the source.

Records— Various Minutes 1834–1967 Cash Book 1844–1850 Private Register of Baptisms 1825–1845 Private Register of Marriages 1833–1849 Proclamation Register 1832–1876 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1178.

Montrose Congregational Churches
History— A church on Baltic Street was formed in 1800, and they met for several years in rented facilities. The building on Baltic Street was erected in 1841. This congregation is still active. A second church was formed on John Street in 1847 as the result of a movement in favor of the doctrines of the Evangelical Union. The church joined the Union in 1859. The church ceased to exist in 1916. Sources: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott 1960, Family History Library ; and The Scottish Congregational Ministry, 1794–1993, by Rev. Dr. William D. McNaughton 1993, Family History Library. Sources include names of ministers.

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

Montrose Baptist Church
History— A small church was formed from members of a Glasite congregation in 1770. It continued for twenty years then declined. By 1844, the church had a membership of 17. Wilson’s Gazetteer of Scotland 1882 does not mention a Baptist church. However, Montrose has an active Baptist congregation today. Source: The Baptists in Scotland: a History, by D.W. Bebbington, ed. 1988. Family History Library book.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For more information write to: The Baptist Union of Scotland 12 Aytoun Road Glasgow G41 5RT Scotland

Montrose Wesleyan Methodist Church
History— The Statistical Account states that there was a congregation in Montrose in 1835, and Wilson’s Gazetteer of Scotland 1882, shows the congregation was still in existence at that time. However, no history is available.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For more information, write to the current minister at: 8 Rosehill Road Montrose Angus DD10 8RY Scotland

Montrose Episcopalian Church
History— In 1661, the Rescissory Act deposed Presbyterianism in Scotland and re–established Episcopacy. A Bishop was consecrated at St. Andrew’s, which was an ancient Anglican see, and Episcopacy was strong in this part of Scotland. However, after the Presbyterian Revolution, and particularly after the 1715 and 1745 rebellions, adherents to the Episcopalian church were greatly persecuted and membership dwindled. From the early–19th century, membership began to recover. Like the mother church of the diocese and others throughout Scotland, the church in Montrose is a union of the old Scots Episcopal congregation and the English congregation. In the High Street of Montrose, a church building of cruciform plan, bearing the date 1688, was destroyed in 1903 to make way for the Free Library. This old building was used for worship in the times of the operation of the Penal Laws, forbidding the performance of the Church services for more than five persons. Small groups of five each would meet in the rooms located in each arm of the cross, and listen to the service being performed by the priest for another small group in the central room. St. Mary’s church was built in 1844. St. Peter’s church was built in 1724, destroyed by fire in 1857, and rebuilt in 1858. The union of the congregations was completed in 1920. Sources: Sources for Scottish Genealogy and Family History, by D.J. Steel 1970, Family History Library Ref. vol. 12, pp 196–201 and 244–8; also The Scottish Episcopal Church Year Book and Directory for 1965–66, Family History Library.

Records— It is not known what, if any, pre-1855 records exist for these churches. The destruction of St. Peter’s by fire in 1857 likely destroyed its early records. For more information, write to: The Rectory 17 Panmure Place Montrose DD10 7AN Scotland

Montrose Catholic Church
The Montrose congregation was formed in 1839 but it was served from Arbroath. See that parish for records.

= Civil Registration Records =

Government or civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths (also called statutory records) began on January 1, 1855 in Scotland. Each parish has a registrar's office and large cities have several. The records are created by the registrars and copies are sent to the General Register Office in Edinburgh. Annual indexes are then created for the records for the whole country. See the article on Scotland Civil Registration for more information and to access the records.

= Probate Records =

Montrose was under the probate jurisdiction of the Commissary Court of Brechin until 1823, and since then has been under the Sheriff's Court of Dundee. Probate records for 1513- 1901 are indexed online at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. You must register on the website but use of the index to probate records, called 'Wills &amp; Testaments,' is free. You may then purchase a copy of the document or, if the document is before 1823, it will be on microfilm at the Family History Library. To find the microfilm numbers, search in the library catalog for the 'Place-names' of Angus and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of Brechin. The library also has some post-1823 probate records for Angus. Look in the library catalog for the 'Place-names' of Angus and the subjects of 'Probate Records' and 'Probate Records - Indexes.' Read more about Scotland Probate Records.

= References =

Return to Angus parish list.