Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #683

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: 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 Internation Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries, except four pages with entries April–October 1612, June 1610–March 1616, and October 1627–October 1639. There are two separate records October 1690–June 1693 and there are no entries December 1746–June 1747. Marriages: There are no entries August 1683–September 1690. Deaths: Burials, There are no entries December 1780–October 1783 and May 1797–June 1800. There is a duplicate of portion 1786–1794 and and index to portion 1756–1780. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1582–1929; scroll minutes 1744–1763 Separate Register 1758–1842, 1851–1922 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/424.

Dalkeith East Associate Presbyterian Church, Buccleugh Street
History— A praying society, which had existed from the time of the Covenanters in the village of Easthouses in the parish of Newbattle, which adjoins Dalkeith, acceded to the Associate Presbytery in October 1737. They were supplied with sermon on average once in six weeks. In February 1741 they were further increased by the accession of two elders and upwards of thirty other persons in the parish of Dalkeith. A church was built in 1742 and a second in 1812. This congregation became Burgher at the Breach in 1747. In 1878 a new church was built on Buccleuch Street. (See also the Back Street Church). Membership: 1838, 600 (445 communicants); 1900, 470.  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 ministers.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptisms 1752–1762 0889484 item 5 X Various Minutes 1758–1903 Various Accounts 1751–1883 Seat Rents 1769–1809, 1829–1869 Congregational Book 1788–1797 Communion Roll 1842–1843 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/466. The X means records have been extracted.

Back Street General Associate Church
History— This congregation originated with a minority of the East congregation who adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod at the Breach in 1747 while the majority adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod. Church built in 1749. This congregation gradually faded out of existence in the late–1800s. Membership: 1838, 200 (111 communicants). 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 ministers.

Records— FHL Microfilm Number Baptisms 1749–1809. 1482992 items 4–6 X Other: Various Minutes 1749–1890 Accounts 1749–1807 Accessions 1755–1808 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/68–69. The X means records have been extracted.

Dalkeith West, later King’s Park Relief Church
History— This congregation originated in unpopular settlements of ministers which took place about the same time in the parishes of Dalkeith and Cockpen. The parties who withdrew from the Established Church on these occasions joined in a petition to the Relief Presbytery of Edinburgh to be taken under their inspection as a congregation, which was granted in 1768. The congregation was organized in 1770 and the church built the same year. Membership: 1838, 600 (380 communicants). 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 ministers.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptismal Register 1839–1911 0889478 items 1–2 X (to 1885) Various Minutes 1815–1911 Cash Book 1799–1808 Congregational List and Young Communicants 1834–1847 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/380. The X means records have been extracted.

Dalkeith Free Presbyterian Church
History— James Monteith, senior minister of the parish, “came out” in 1843. A meeting had been held in December 1842 to prepare for possible contingencies so that at the Disruption there was an organized congregation to represent the Free Church in Dalkeith. The congregation worshiped at first in the United Associate Secession Church, kindly granted for the purpose. The new church was built and opened in December 1843. It was remodeled in 1845 and reseated in 1877. A school was erected in 1845 and a manse in 1863. The congregation carried on a mission at Newton Grange which became a sanctioned charge in 1884 under the name of Newbattle. Membership: 1838, 484; 1848, 450; 1900, 408. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Deacons Court Minutes 1842–1911 Cash Book 1848–1871 Building Committee Bank and Cash Books 1848–1855 Baptismal Register 1843–1911 School Committee Minutes 1844–1854 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/379.

Dalkeith Congregational Church
History— Towards the end of 1799, a house “for the preaching of the Gospel by ministers of Christ of every denomination” was opened in Abbey Road, Dalkeith. Considerable interest was aroused. This happened at the time when the Haldanes were conducting open–air meetings in the town, and it would appear that a Congregational church resulted from these combined evangelistic ventures around 1804. In 1805 a place of worship was acquired at the junction of Tait and Back Streets and was known as the Tabernacle. A new church was opened in High Street in 1868, by which name the congregation was thereafter known. This church closed in 1967. A second church at Croft Street was formed in November 1847 in connection with the Evangelical Union and they joined that body in 1855. That church was dissolved in 1928 and the building sold. Membership: 1838, 73. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960; FHL book 941 K2es, also, The Scottish Congregational Ministry, by Rev. Dr. William D. McNaughton, pub. 1993; FHL book 941 K2mwd. Both include lists of ministers.

Records— Extent of records is unknown. For more information write to:

The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Dalkeith Episcopalian Church
History— The New Statistical Account for Dalkeith, dated 1844, states that there was a minister there from 1769 to 1772 but none following. The present church was dedicated to St. Mary in 1845.

Records— FHL Call Number Christenings 1754–1757 941 B2sa vol. 9 Other: Christenings 1845–1854 Marriages 1846–1854 Note: Record may be available by writing to: The Secretary Buccleuch Estates Ltd. Dalkeith Estate Office Deer Park Dalkeith EH22 2NA Scotland Tel: 011–44–131 663 2217

Dalkeith South Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel
History— A society was formed here in 1786. After Wesley preached here in 1788, a minister was settled in the town. The church was built in 1789. Membership at the turn of the century was larger than it was later after the Dissenting congregations opened their places of worship for Sabbath evening services. New chapel built in 1887. Membership: 1838, 40. Source: The New Statistical Account of Scotland, for Dalkeith, dated 1844. FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 1, also Methodism in Scotland, by Wesley F. Swift, pub. 1947. FHL book 941 K2sw

Records— Baptisms 1855–1914 Trustee Minutes 1849–1962 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH11/17.

Dalkeith Catholic Church
History— Records are unavailable. Church dedicated to St. David in 1854.

Records— Baptisms 1854–1913 Marriages 1854–1913 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record RH21/76.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
History— A branch was formed in Dalkeith about 1851 but ceased by the end of the decade.

Records— FHL Film Number Record of members 1851–1858 0104150 item 8

Return to the Midlothian Parish list