Campbeltown, Argyllshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #507

History
This parish consists of the ancient parishes of Kilkerran, Kilmichael, Kilkerran and Kilchousland. Soon after the Reformation, they were united and called the parish of Lochhead. Changed to Campbelton about 1687. The villages of Dalintober, and Campbelton are the nearest towns. The Dalrhudinian monarchs reigned in this country. The major land owners were: The Duke of Argyle, M’Neil of Ugadale, Golbreath of Machirchanich, Campbell of Askomil, and Kilpatrick of Chescan. The land was primarily used for farming. The population in 1795 was 8706, and in 1841 was 9539. The date of the earliest entry of parochial registers is 1682, and has been regularly kept since then. There are two parish churches, one in Gaelic and the other English. There are within the parish a Relief Church, an independent meeting house, and a Roman Catholic chapel.

This account was written in 1843. Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol. 7) also available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under 'For non-subscribers,' then search for the parish report.

Condition of Original Records—
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: Births are recorded in parallel columns with marriages until 1718 and on alternate or occasional pages 1718–1771. The record is blank except a few entries for 1794 and 1798, August 1792–1808, but the entries for that period appear to have been inserted in volume 4 of FHL #1041004. The above applies to the Lowland (English speaking) congregation of Campbeltown. The pages at the beginning and in different parts of the record prior to 1774 are in many cases illegible. There are also records for the Highlands (Gaelic speaking) congregation of Campbeltown from June 1728. There are no entries December 1732–December 1747, except one entry for 1737. Separate records of births and marriages start from 1776. Marriages: Recorded in parallel columns with births until 1718, and on alternate or occasional pages 1718–1771. A separate record of marriages appears after November 1771, and only one entry, 1798, after April 1792. The above apply to the Lowland congregation of Campbeltown. The pages at the beginning and at different parts of the record prior to 1774 have suffered much from want of care, and many entries are illegible. There are also records of marriages for the Highland congregation of Campbeltown from June 1728. The marriages prior to 1776 were recorded on occasional pages of the register of baptisms. There are no records July 1731–January 1749. Deaths:The record is irregular and defective prior to 1808. Only about 20 entries exist previous to that date. Only 32 entries exist 1817–1854. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1821–1890 Account book 1744–1810 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/50.

Campbeltown Relief, later United Presbyterian Church
History— When an unfavorable minister was appointed in 1766, some members left the Established church, built their own building, and applied to have it designated as a Chapel of Ease to the parish church. When this was denied them, they applied to the Presbytery of Relief and were accepted as a congregation. 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 ministers.

Records— Various minutes 1767–1847 Communion Rolls 1838–1867 Young communicants Rolls 1843–1877 Other post-1855 records Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1421.

Campbeltown United Secession Church, extinct in 1847
History— Campbeltown was selected in 1831 as a preaching station by the Glasgow association for the Spread of the Gospel in connection with the Secession Church. In 1832 forty residents of the area petitioned the United Associate Presbytery of Glasgow to be organized as a congregation, which was granted. This congregation ceased to exist when it incorporated with the Relief congregation at the time that the United Secession Church and the Presbytery of Relief united in 1847. 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 ministers.

Records— Extent of the pre-1855 records is unknown.

Lochend Free Church
History— The two ministers of the English and Gaelic Collegiate charges and a large proportion of the congregation left the Established Church in 1843. Two churches were soon erected, but the congregation was still regarded as one. In 1867 the two portions were disjoined and made separate charges, the English called Lochend, and the Gaelic called Lorne Street. Membership: 1869, 325; 1900, 442. 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.

Records— Various Committee Minutes 1843–1868, 1874–1917 Accounts 1841–1842, 1843–1886 Cash Book 1846–1879 Non-intrusion and other Committee Minutes 1841–1844 Members of Non-intrusion Association 1841 Communion Roll 1843–1862 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH3/1047.

Campbeltown Independent Church
History— A congregation was formed in 1805 and ceased to meet about 1864. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL book 941 K2es. More details are given in the source.

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

Campbeltown Roman Catholic Church
History— A church was formed in 1816 and dedicated in 1850.

Records— No records are known to survive before 1879. Presumably earlier records were kept but lost.

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