Kirkwall and St. Ola, Orkney, Scotland Genealogy

Kirkwall &amp; St. Ola #21

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: Birth registers were regularly kept throughout. Marriages: There are no marriage entries May 1679–April 1682, December 1701–September 1705 and February 1726–March 1728, and the registers are incomplete for 1687. See also marriages listed below in the Kirk Session records. Deaths: There are no death entries, except a few for 1708–1709, and 1681–1783. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Records— St. Magnus, Cash Book 1655–1680, with Baptisms 1687–1688 Baptismal Counterfoils 1831–1837 Marriages 1651–1653, 1662–1677 Proclamation Counterfoils 1831–1935 Deaths 1670–1672 Burial Register 1813–1821, 1845–1871 Minutes 1626–1649, 1655–1724, 1724–1942, with gaps Accounts 1704–1723, 1793–1925 Scroll Minutes 1669–1775, 1670–1677, 1812–1899 Seat Rent Accounts 1827–1845 List of Communicants 1639–1654 Communion Roll 1831, 1834–1842, 1857 Poors' Disbursements 1668–1679 Poors' Roll 1826–1841 Note: Available on Film at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/443.

Kirkwall General Associate Anti-burgher Church
History— Kirkwall is a burgh town, seaport and seat of an ancient cathedral in the eastern division of Pomona, or mainland of Orkney. A prayer meeting consisting of six or seven members existed in Kirkwall prior to 1794. At about that time, Mr. John Russell, a native of the place who had served his apprenticeship with one of the members, returned from Newcastle and joined this society. At one or more of its meetings he related how he had been led to attend the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Graham, one of the Secession ministers of Newcastle, and how different were the doctrines preached by Mr. Graham from those that they were accustomed to hearing in Kirkwall. Another member, who had resided in Edinburgh, made similar remarks respecting the kind of spiritual instruction received there. As a result of these remarks and the conversations which arose out of them, an application was made to the General Associate, Anti-burgher Presbytery of Edinburgh for supply of sermon which was granted in 1795. Such was the real origin of this congregation. The permanent effects of the Secession mission to Orkney, and the numerous congregations which sprung up, were quite beneficial. A church was built in 1796 and enlarged in 1800. A new church, containing 400 sittings, was opened in 1849. 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 1797–1850 Other Post–1855 Records Note: Available on Film at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1099.

Kirkwall Free Church, King Street
History— Peter Petrie, minister of the second charge in the parish, "came out" in 1843, with a large number of his people. The congregation continued to use the church until it was claimed by the Established Church in 1847. In 1852 an Original Secession congregation joined with this Free Church. At the end of the year, on the minister’s retirement, the two congregations were united. Membership: 1848, 415; 1900, 399. 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.

Records— Minutes, Various 1843–1947 Baptisms 1843–1899, 1911 Marriages 1843–1874 Cash Book 1843–1856 Note: Available on Film at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1100.

Kirkwall Congregational Church
History— On his first preaching tour in 1797, James Haldane exercised a memorable ministry in Kirkwall, thousands listened to his preaching on many occasions. As a result of his labors and those of the preachers who followed him, a congregation was gathered, and a church formed in 1806. John Black became pastor in that year. He stayed only a short time and was followed by David Ramsay in 1807. He was joined by George Robertson in 1815 and together they did a great work not only in Kirkwall but throughout all the islands. The present church building in Palace Road is the fourth used by the congregation since its constitution in 1806. It was opened for public worship in November 1876. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960, FHL British Book 941 K2es. More details may be given in the sources.

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

Kirkwall Episcopal Church
History— Episcopacy in Orkney has existed since at least the sixteenth century. In spite of the advent of Presbyterianism, the Episcopal Church survived in the islands. St. Olaf’s in Kirkwall was consecrated in 1878. A history of the Episcopal Church in Orkney was published in 1883. Source: Episcopal Scotland in the Nineteenth Century, by Marion Lochhead, pub. 1966 FHL British Book 941 K2l

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For more information write to: St. Olaf’s Rectory Dundas Crescent, Kirkwall Isle of Orkney, KW15 1JQ Scotland

Kirkwall Roman Catholic Church
Wilson’s Gazetteer of Scotland, pub.1882, states that there was a Catholic church in Kirkwall from ancient times. The cathedral, which was begun in 1138, took over 400 years to complete. However, no pre–1855 records exist.

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