Kilbrandon and Kilchattan, Argyllshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #515

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

History
KILBRANDON, with Kilchattan, a parish, in the district of Lorn, county of Argyll, 14 miles (S. by W.) from Oban. There were in ancient times four churches or chapels within the boundaries of this parish, dedicated respectively to saints called Brenan or Brandon, Cattan, Bride or Bridget, and Coan. The church was repaired and enlarged in 1816, and accommodates about 600 persons; it is situated at the south end of the island of Seil, which renders it necessary for all the parishioners who attend, except those dwelling in the island, to cross one or more ferries on their journey. The members of the Free Church and the Reformed Presbyterians have places of worship.

There were four churches or chapels before the reformation and were joined together to make one. Oban, and Easdale are the nearest towns. The major land owners were: The Marquis of Breadabane; the heirs of the late John M’Dougall Esq. of Ardincaple; and Major Campbell of Melfort. The land was primarily used for, 4 slate quarries, black cattle, black faced sheep. Herring-fish. The population in 1801 was 2278 and in 1831 was 2833. The registers were not regularly kept from 1753 until 1793. The next volume was lost. The register has been regularly kept since 1826. In good weather the church is always crowded, about 400 communicants. The number of Dissenters is about 200 in 1836, chiefly to the Covenanters and Independents. 2 Baptists, 1 Roman Catholic family. The Statistical Accounts of Scotland, 1791-1845 at Edina, University of Edinburgh, are reports, generally written by parish ministers, which offer 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 Statistical Account of Scotland, 1791-1799. Ed. by John Sinclair. Wakerfield, England: EP Publishing Limited, [197?]. ; (*) - images. Online at: Electric Scotland.
 * The New Statistical Account of Scotland, 1834-1845. Edinburgh, Scotland: William Blackwood and Sons, 1845. Online at:.
 * Mather, Alexander S., ed. The Third Statistical Account of Scotland. Glasgow, Scotland: Collins of Glasgow, 1987. - 3rd Series.

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 FS Library microfilm numbers for the as well as the library numbers for any surname indexes available:

The 1901 and 1911 census of Scotland is indexed on ScotlandsPeople ($). Registration is required and there is a small access fee. All available censuses, 1841-1911, are indexed on this website.

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 Records
Index: For an index to these records, see ScotlandsPeople ($), a pay-for-view website. The Scottish Church Records Index is also still available at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. Some records may also be indexed in other FamilySearch collections for Scotland. Births: There is one entry for 1751, only three entries for July 1760–March 1763, and five entries for February 1767–March 1776. The record is defective September 1781–February 1783. Only ten entries appear September 1797–June 1805, and after January 1809 the record is irregular and defective until 1825. Marriages: There are no entries April 1767–August 1776 and April 1791–December 1825, except three entries January 1802 and four entries 1806–1807. Source:Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. 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 1753–1778, 1784, 1789, 1827–1903 Accounts 1776–1796, 1827–1845 Proclamations 1825–1893 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/209.

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.

From the Statistical Account of Scotland, for Kilbrandon and Kilchattan for 1843: “The number of Dissenters in the parish, as reported to the Church Commissioners in 1836, was 200. They belong chiefly to the Covenanters (Reformed Presbyterian) and Independents. There are two persons belonging to the Baptists and one Roman Catholic family.” No histories of these groups are available.

Kilbrandon and Kilchattan Free Church
History— The minister of the parish and most members of the parish left the Established Church in 1843 and formed the Free Church of Kilbrandon and Kilchattan. The Marquis of Breadalbane gave them a tent for worship during the winter months. He also aided largely with the building of the new church, which was opened in 1846. The manse was erected in 1866. Membership decreased owing to depopulation. Of the local congregation of the Covenanters who left the local parish church in 1787, the majority joined the Free Church in 1872. They became extinct as a body in 1876. Membership: 1848, 222; 1900, 128. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film # More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Minutes 1843–1900 Deacons’ Court Minutes 1846–1900 Note:Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/189

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
Kilbrandon and Kilchattan was under the probate jurisdiction of the Commissary Court of The Isles until 1823, and since then has been under the Sheriff's Court of Dunoon. Probate records for 1513-1901 are indexed online at ScotlandsPeople ($). Registration is required, but use of the index to probate records, called 'Wills & Testaments,' is free. Copies of documents may be purchased, or if the document is before 1823, it will be on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library. To find the microfilm numbers, search in the library catalog for the 'Place-names' of Argyll and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of The Isles The library also has some post-1823 probate records for Argyll. Look in the library catalog for the 'Place-names' of Argyll and the subjects of 'Probate Records' and 'Probate Records - Indexes.'  Read more about  Scotland Probate Records.