Shotts, Lanarkshire, Scotland Genealogy

Shotts (#655)

= 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 Shotts. 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: There are no entries 1708–1712, 1714–1716 and 1738–March 1753. There are no entries, except for a few irregular entries, January 1755–May 1786. Entries out of the order of time are frequent 1786–1799. Mothers’ names are not recorded, except in irregular entries until 1786. Marriages: The record previous to November 1717 consists of five fragments of pages. There are no entries 1706–1712, 1714–1716 and two of the fragments bear no year. A few of the entries on these five pages are complete. There are no entries November 1738–January 1752 and December 1753–March 1794, except one page of entries for 1755. The record throughout is one of proclamations and after January 1795, it is intermixed with other matters. Deaths: Mortcloth Dues. There are no entries 1714–1725 and 1736–January 1795. After January 1795 the record consists of three separate sections, namely, one for each of the three qualities of Mortcloth in use. After August 1816, the entries are intermixed with those of proclamations, etc. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Various Minutes and Accounts 1640–1659, 1691–1714, 1725–1726, 1756–1767, 1795–1914, with gaps Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/460.

Shotts Free Church
History— This congregation was begun as a mission station in 1846, services being help on Hall Road. The church was erected and the charge sanctioned in 1848. A new church was erected in 1878. The population depended for employment on the Shotts Iron Works. The prosperity of the congregation fluctuated with that of the works. Membership: 1854, 148; 1900, 306. 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.

Shotts United Original Secession Presbyterian Church
History— In 1738, due to the unpopular settlement of a new minister in the parish church, a number of elders and parishioners withdrew from the Established church and acceded to the Associate Presbytery. Occasional sermon was supplied by the Presbytery until 1742, when a minister was ordained for Cambusnethan and the people in Shotts were included in that congregation. The settlement of another unacceptable minister in the Shotts parish church in 1768, after six years of battle between the parishioners, the trustees, the General Assembly and the Presbytery, caused another large part of the congregation to withdraw and accede to the Associate Presbytery. The new seceders now joined with the earlier seceders from Shotts and were formed into a congregation for Shotts. A church was built in 1771. In 1799, the minister and the majority of the congregation withdrew from the Associate Synod and helped to form the Original Associate Burgher Synod. In 1842, this congregation became part of the United Original Secession Church, but it eventually split with some of the members joining the Free Church and the others remaining with the Original Secession Church. 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 a list of ministers.

Records—  The extent of records is unknown.

Shotts Evangelical Union Church
History— A Congregational church was formed at Shotts in September 1844. The church building at Manse Field was opened in November. The church was admitted to the Evangelical Union in 1876. A new church was built in 1908. 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.

Harthill Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints
Records—                                                    FHL Film Number  Record of Members   1844–1852      0104153 item 2

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