Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland Genealogy

Lochwinnoch (#570)

History
Available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under 'For non-subscribers,' then search for the parish report.

Church Records
Established Church—Old Parochial Registers ===

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 record prior to about 1790 is a copy, which seems to have been made in 1788 and seems to be inaccurate in some particulars. Mothers’ names are rarely recorded before 1771 and sometimes omitted up to 1788. Marriages: There are no entries December 1723–September 1725. The lower portion of the leaf at 1749–1750 and the upper portion of two pages at 1756–1760 are torn off and a number of entries partially or entirely destroyed. There are no entries July 1777–March 1778. After 1772, the record is one of bookings or proclamations, except 1784–1787 when marriages are also recorded. See also the Kirk Session records below. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1691–1700, 1709–1760, 1777–1947 Accounts 1804–1857 Communion Roll 1851–1947 Proclamations 1703–1714 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/649.

Lochwinnoch Associate Secession Church
History—  In 1737, several parishioners withdrew from the Established Church and acceded to the Associate Presbytery. They became part of the ”Correspondence of Kilmalcolm” and subsequently part of the congregation of Burntshields in Kilbarchan parish (see those parishes). In 1750, more parishioners withdrew from the Established Church and joined with the Burntshields congregation. In 1788–1789, large cotton mills were erected in Lochwinnoch which led to a great increase in the population. The Seceders took advantage of this to obtain a place of worship of their own in the village, and with this in mind they applied to the Associate Presbytery to be disjoined from Burntshields, which was granted in 1791. Their church was built in 1792. 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— Extent of the records is unknown.

Lochwinnoch Free Church
History— The minister of the parish, and many of his congregation, “came out” in 1843. The church was built in 1844. Two cotton mills furnished most of the employment in the village. Cotton was exchanged for flax during the American Civil War, which caused a great exodus of the people. The mills burned, one after the other, and the village was almost deserted. Later, chair works were started and things somewhat improved. Membership: 1848, 400; 1900, 250. 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— No pre-1855 records.

Probate Records
Return to the Renfrewshire parish list.