Bellie, Moray, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #126

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

= History =

The name of this parish has been traced by some to the Gaelic Bellaidth, signifying broom; and by others to Beul-uith, signifying- the mouth of the ford. The parish is of an oblong quadrangular figure, but narrower at the northern than at the opposite extreme. The Spey is the boundary on the west; the Moray Frith on the north; Rathven on the east; Keith and Boharm of the south.

There are six markets held in the course of the year, for cattle and horses, but chiefly the former, are held at Fochaber, the principle village.

To the north of Gordon castle, are the remains of a military station, which early tradition assigned to the Danes, but which in later times has long been known by the appellation of the “Roman camp.” Those who ascribe it to the Danes suppose it to have been connected with a battle which they fought with the Scots in the neighbourhood of Cullen; but, as the Roman Eagles were once certainly displayed upon the banks of the ancient Tuessis or Spey, it is generally supposed that this encampment was formed by a detachment of Agricola’s troops, when he traversed the coast of the island, and may have been intended to cover the ford of the river, which at that period probably ran along the base of the bank where the station is placed.

The number of residents in the village of Fochaber, according to the last return, was 1086, and in the landward districts, there were 1346. In 1821 the population was 2235, in 1831 the population was 2432, and by 1841 the population count was 2433.

The whole parish, with the exception of the domains surrounding the castle, was in former times partitioned out into small estates of landships, which were held in feu of the Gordon family.

The produce that is grown in the parish included grains of every kind, potatoes, turnips, green crop, and hay. The salmon fishing of the Spey has long been famous. It extends from the mouth of the river about nine or ten miles, and yields a revenue to the Duke of Richmond.

By far the greater part of the people are of the Established Church. There are only a few families of the Episcopal persuasion. The Roman Catholics, who are more numerous, have of late years erected a chapel in the village of Fochabers. No mention is made of church records having been kept for this parish.

This account was written January 1842.

Source: The New Statistical Account of Scotland for Bellie, Family History Library. book, 2nd series, vol 13.

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 Edina. Click on ‘Browse scanned pages’ then search the parish you are interested in. 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.

Here is a list of the Family History Library microfilm numbers for the as well as the library numbers for any surname indexes available:

The 1901 census of Scotland is indexed on scotlandspeople. 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 separate 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 and searchable on familysearch.org. Births: Interpolations and entries omitted in their proper places, but subsequently recorded are a frequent occurrence in the birth or christening registers after 1760, more especially after 1774. Marriages: There are no entries for May 1743–May 1752, except three for 1749 and December 1769–December 1771. There are only three entries for 1774, two for 1803, and none for 1808. Deaths: The registers were regularly kept and include Mortcloth Dues. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. Family History Library. 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:

Minutes and Accounts 1711–1750, 1750–1783 Accounts 1750–1783 Minutes 1821–1945 Baptismal Register 1856–1903 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/747.

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 List.

Fochabers Free Church
History—  The minister of the parish and a large part of the congregation left the Established Church in 1843. They met at first in a wooden church until 1844 when a permanent church was erected. Still another church was built in 1900. Emigration caused a decrease in membership of the congregation. Membership: 1848, 378; 1900, 258. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843 1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library. Film #. More details are given in the source.

Records—  Minutes 1843–1944 Deacons’ Court Minutes 1844–1902 Communion Roll 1873–1880, 1887–1904 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/685.

Fochabers Roman Catholic Church
History—  Records show that a mission was in existence as early as 1787 although a church was not built until 1826. A new church was dedicated to St. Mary in 1887. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700 1880: Vol. 6 Scotland, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. Family History Library. Ref. book vol. 6

Records—  Baptisms 1787–1970 Marriages 1792–1970 Confirmations 1818–1967 Deaths 1792–1855 Note: Available online for a fee, at scotlandspeople, record RH21/23.

Fochabers Episcopal Church
History—  An ornate two-story chapel was built in 1835. The ground floor was used as a school, and the upper story was used for public worship. Source: A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland, by Samuel Lewis, pub.1846.Family History Library. Ref. book 1989.

Records—  The extent of records is unknown. For information contact the minister at: Gordon Chapel Rectory Castle Street Fochabers IV32 7DW, Scotland

= 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 =

Beillie was under the probate jurisdiction of the Commissary Court of Moray until 1823, and since then has been under the Sheriff's Court of Elgin. Probate records for 1513- 1901 are indexed online at scotlandspeople. 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' of Moray and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of Moray.

The library also has some post-1823 probate records for Moray. Look in the librarycatalog for the 'Place' of Moray and the subjects of 'Probate Records' and 'Probate Records - Indexes.' Read more about Scotland Probate Records.

Return to Moray parish list.