Orwell, Kinross-shire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #463                        [Return to parish list.]

= History =

To be added

= Census Records =

To be added

= Church Records =

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. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: The record is very defective for July 1736–February 1767. Except in the case of irregular entries, mother's names are not recorded until 1777. Entries are out of date order after 1790, and after 1819 there are eight pages of omitted entries dated 1742–1783. There is also a record of births of children of Seceders, 1739–1766. Marriages: Prior to 1597 they are recorded among births for same period. A separate record starts June 1697. The record is blank July 1736–October 1783. The record terminates January 1793. Deaths: Burials

Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Note: The New Statistical Account of Scotland for Orwell (1839) states: “The parish register is not large, owing to a great disinclination on the part of the people to register either births or deaths. Many of the inhabitants never make any registration either of births or deaths, and several people have died in the parish that are buried and registered elsewhere.”

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes and Accounts 1681–1682, 1691–1737, 1743–1798 Minutes 1801–1809, 1816–1908 Accounts 1791–1865 Marriages 1783–1793 - copy Heritors Minutes 1787–1788 - incomplete Baptisms 1855–1875 Communion Rolls 1843–1877 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/551.

Orwell Milnathort First Associate Session Old Light Burgher, later Free Church
History— The minister of Orwell parish and his parishioners seceded from the Established Church in 1737 and joined the Associate Presbytery. Being increased by seceders from Kinross and Portmoak, the congregation at one time numbered 2000 members, but the Presbytery was reluctant to divide them into separate congregations. At the Breach in 1747, the majority adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod. The minister disagreed with the Synod on some principals and was suspended in 1755 but he continued to preach to his congregation. After his death in 1768, the congregation was received, upon application, into connection with the Associate Burgher Synod. In 1799, the majority of the congregation, and the minister, separated from the Associate Synod and adhered to the Original Associate, Old Light Burgher Synod. The congregation rejoined the Established Church in 1839. Then at the Disruption in 1843, they joined the Free Church. In 1845 the Presbytery resolved that the church should bear the name of the parish Orwell, not that of the village Milnathort. Membership: 1837, 472; average attendance 300. Sources: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572 and Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev.William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the sources including a list of ministers.

Records—                                        FHL Film Number  Manager Minutes 1748–1778               1886233 items 3-6 Minutes 1801–1892                             1886233 items 3-6 Manager's Minutes 1771–1853             1886234 items 1-4 Deacons Court Minutes 1850–1892       1886234 items 1-4 Baptisms 1859–1883                           1886234 items 1-4

Milnathort Second Associate Session Anti-burgher, later United Secession, later United Presbyterian Church
History— When the minister of the First congregation was suspended from the General Associate Anti–burgher Synod, a minority of his congregation gave up hope of his retraction and in 1761 applied for and obtained supply of sermon from that Synod. This congregation apparently joined the United Secession Church in 1820 and the United Presbyterian Church in 1847. Membership: 1837, 714; average attendance: 400. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— Baptisms 1850–1927 Minutes 1766–1793, 1821–1873 Manager's Minutes 1771–1823, 1838–1880 Cash Book 1844–1860 Seat Book 1844 Receipt Book 1808–1857 Congregational Library Minutes and Accounts 1833–1857 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/542.

= Probate Records =

To be added