Fala and Soutra, Midlothian, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #686

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: 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 1689 is very much wasted and a large number of the entries are almost illegible. There are no entries August 1689–September 1697 and they are incomplete 1701–1706. Entries inserted on the margin of the register are frequent after 1753 and mothers’ names are not recorded until 1697. Marriages: Except for two pages with entries for June 1675–June 1686 which are very much wasted and partially illegible, there is no record until November 1697. There are no entries May 1701–December 1706, May 1763–October 1769, June 1772–May 1775, September 1780–February 1782 and only four entries March 1785–May 1801. Deaths: There is no record until 1829. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1715–1937 Accounts 1674–1765 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/148.

Fala United Presbyterian Church
History— The Secession congregation of Fala was formed in 1783 by members of the congregation of Stow and of the First Secession congregation of Dalkeith, resident in the parishes of Borthwick, Cranston, Crichton, Heriot, and Fala who, on account of dissatisfaction with the Established Church and the great distance from other Secession congregations, applied to the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Edinburgh to be disjoined and formed into a separate congregation. Supply of sermon was first granted in 1779 and there was strong opposition to the movement by the congregations from which the petitioners asked to be disjoined. Fala was chosen as the seat of the congregation because it was most central to the majority of persons taking part in the formation of it. A church was built in 1786. 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 ministers.

Records— Session Minutes 1779–1795, 1834–1937 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/126. Return to the Midlothian Parish List