Ochiltree, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Ochiltree, Ayr, Scotland (#609)

History
The name of this parish may signify the district of a country covered with trees of all kinds. Ayr is the nearest town. The major land owners were: the most Noble the Marquis of Bute; Sir James Boswell of Auchinleck; Dowager Lady Boswell; David Limond, Esq. of Dolblair; James Pettigrew Wilson, Esq. of Polquhairn; and Robert Campbell, Esq. of Skerrington. The land was primarily used for, sheep, cattle, pigs, horses, peas, beans, potatoes, turnips, and hay. The population in 1792 was 1144. The population in 1831 was 1562. The registers of baptisms and marriages go back to the year 1641, but here was no register of deaths till about 40 years ago. For the last 50 years they have been kept in a most regular manner. The first volume having been written in an old hand, and difficult to be made out, the present schoolmaster was induced to copy the whole thereof into a new book. With the exception of 5 or 6 families all the parishioners belong to the Establishment

This account was written in 1837.

source:New Statistical Account of Scotland(FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol.5)

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: There are no entries April 1642–November 1643, May 1648–December 1649, November 1667–January 1667, June 1693–August 1694, October 1704–February 1709, except two entries, February 1736–January 1738, August 1740–March 1745. There is an imperfect page at November 1666. There are a large number of entries for October 1669. The page for March–May 1673 is destroyed. The record from April 1696–August 1740 is a copy of the names legible from 1696–1740 from the original records. There is an attestation dated November 3, 1803 stating that the record with the old and original register has been compared and is "just and exact" record is a copy from March 1745–1783. The original record continues after January 1747 with three pages slightly incomplete. Mothers' names not recorded until 1788. Marriages: No entries November 1660–November 1664, December 1695–July 1702, November 1721–December 1763. From July 1702–July 1780 the register is a copy from the original. Proclamations only 1763–1788. Marriages are recorded after August 1788. Deaths: There are no entries April 1793–April 1825, burials only 1783–April 1792 and more deaths April 1792–April 1793. Deaths only continue after April 1825. There are seven entries of deaths from April–July 1825 recorded after the marriages for July 1780. There is a list of Mortcloth Dues, 1784–1791. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1695–1696, 1725–1729, 1764–1928 Accounts 1792–1819 Proclamation Register 1833–1919 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/778.

Ochiltree Free Church
History— This congregation was formed in 1843, when seven Elders "came out" of the parish church. It was for a time in charge of a probationer. Church, manse, and school were built soon after the Disruption. The congregation received much help from friendly proprietors. Membership: 1848, 184; 1900, 123. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

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