Alness, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Parish # 57

History
Alness appears to be the only name that has been given to this parish. It is compounded of two Gaelic words, auld, signifying a burn or small river, and neas, a point. The parish of Alness is bounded on the north by imaginary lines dividing it from that of Kincardine; and on the south, by the shores of the Cromarty Firth. On the east, it is divided from the parish of Rosskeen by the river of Alness; and on the west, by Kiltearn by the river Auldgrande.'    

It is said that, soon after the accession of William III, the parish suffered a famine of such severity, that in one district, that was well populated, the number of inhabitants was reduced to three. If the accounts of tradition can be believed, the people were under necessity of forming common coffins, into which the dead, being thrown promiscuously, were buried without the ordinary solemnities of a funeral.

During the period which succeeded the restoration of Charles, an attempt was made to do away with the Presbyterian form of worship in Scotland, and to introduce Prelacy in its place.

A noteworthy individual connected with this part of the country is Mr. James Fraser, one of the ministers of Alness. This eminent individual was born in the year 1700, and was the son of the Rev. John Fraser, also a minister of the parish, he is well known on account of the sufferings which he endured for his steady adherence to the principles and constitution of the Church of Scotland during the persecution of 1679 or 1680.

Another individual of note from this parish is General Sir Hector Munro, K.B.  He was one of the principal proprietors, and rendered himself famous by his exploits in India during the war which was carried on there towards the close of the eighteenth century.

The proprietors of the parish are, H.A. J. Munro of Novar, Major-General Munro of Teaninich, and Finlay Munro of Lealty.

In the former Account, which was written in the year 1793, the number of persons then inhabiting the parish is stated at 1121, of whom 800 are stated as having been above seven years of age. The number now living in the parish is 1440.

There is no entire village in this parish. The village of Alness is divided nearly equally between this and the neighbouring parish of Rosskeen. In the village of Rosskeen, there is a market held monthly for the purpose of selling cattle.

The church is situated in the southern extremity of the parish, only about a mile from the shores of the Firth, and is inconvenient for the people to attend. All the people of the parish belong to the Established Church, and are regular in their attendance to worship services.

This account was written February 1840.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 14.

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.

Established Church—Old Parochial Registers
 

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index.

Births: Intermixed throughout with marriages, otherwise, regularly kept. Marriages: Same as for births. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
No pre-1855 records.

Alness Free Church
History— The minister and a large part of the congregation of Alness "came out" in 1843. Sites for the church and manse were given in perpetuity, at a nominal rent. The church was built in 1843, and renovated in 1893. A school was provided. The congregation suffered heavily through young people leaving the parish. Membership: 1848, 80; 1900, 79. 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 ministers. Records— Marriages 1847–1912 Baptisms 1843–1929 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/750.

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