Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland Genealogy

Abbey (#559)

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: This record does not exhibit any blanks. The margins of some of the leaves have suffered from the effects of dampness. Mothers’ names are not recorded until May 1696, and seldom between 1709 and 1724. Marriages: There are no blanks in the record. Bookings and marriages are often separately recorded before 1686. Entries for July 1686–May 1696 are chiefly proclamations, the fact of the marriage being seldom added. After 1710, the record again becomes chiefly one of proclamations. Deaths: Record is Mortcloth Dues until 1792. They are blank February 1792–September 1795, after which deaths are recorded. Source:Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
See also Paisley parish.

Abbey Kirk Session
Accounts 1751–1768, 1775–1785, 1795–1860 Minutes 1699–1706, 1710–1775, 1797–1903 Cash Book 1844–1927 Ledger 1844–1866 Copies of Baptismal Registers, and Proclamations of Marriage 1826–1851 Communion Roll 1846–1925 Yard Register 1816–1874 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/490.

Elderslie Kirk Session
Managers’ Trustees’ Minutes 1840–1863 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/878.

Nonconformist Church Records
See also Paisley parish.

Abbey Close Associate Burgher Secession, later United Presbyterian Church
History— Previous to the year 1765, the seceders resident in Paisley attended public religious ordinances at Burntshields, six miles from town. The rapid growth of the population due to the flourishing state of the silk gauze manufacture in Paisley, introduced six years before, induced the seceders to apply to the Presbytery for a disjunction from Burntshields in order to form a separate congregation, which was immediately granted. The first church was built in 1769, the second in 1827. 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—                                                              FHL Film Number  Roll of Baptized Members    1849–1874     0889484 item 4 X Burial Register                    1842–1904     0889494 item 4 X Note: The X means the record has been extracted. Other: Various Minutes 1769–1864 Accounts 1812–1840 Collections 1850–1889 Building Committee and Managers’ Cash Book 1827–1855 Roll of Members 1816–1826, 1830–1927 Nomination Roll 1853–1867 Names of Proprietors of Plots in Burying Ground 1832 Copy Correspondence with Golespie Missionary Station 1837–1841 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/465.

Johnstone West Associate Secession Church
History— Previous to 1781, Johnstone was a small hamlet with only ten persons. A large spinning mill was erected near it and the formation of a town was begun and it proceeded so rapidly that in 1792 the inhabitants amounted to 1434. Much of the population had been drawn from the immediately surrounding district and they were members of the Secession congregation of Burntshields in Kilbarchan parish. Finding attendance at that place inconvenient, they erected a place of worship in Johnstone in 1791, under the sanction of the Presbytery. The minister of Burntshields removed to Johnstone and Burntshields and it became a vacant charge. 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.

Johnstone East Relief Presbyterian Church
History— In the course of the rapid increase of Johnstone as a town, many persons had settled in it and connected with the Relief Church. They were desirous of having a place of worship there and they applied to the Presbytery of Glasgow in July 1828 and a church was built in 1829. 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.

Johnstone Free Church
History— The congregation was formed here in August 1843. The charge was sanctioned in December following. A hall was rented for public worship. A church was soon erected. Membership: 1848, 135; 1900, 512. 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— Minutes 1843–1898 Deacons’ Court Minutes 1846–1903 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/884.

Johnstone Roman Catholic Church
See Paisley and Houston Parishes.