Rafford, Moray, Scotland Genealogy

Rafford #140

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Births: No entries for Jul 1683–Feb 1687, May 1688–Feb 1691, and Mar 1695–Sep 1703 (except one for 1700). The greater part of the page after April 1715 is destroyed. No entries for Dec 1715–Sep 1716 (except a page of irregular entries for 1726–48. No entries for Feb 1730–Sep 1738. Marriages: No entries for Dec 1725–Dec 1738 (Except one for 1730). There is only one entry for 1773, none for 1781, one for 1793 and two for 1803. No entries for Nov 1805–Nov 1806. Subsequent to 1740, most of the pages of both the birth and marriage records are signed by the session clerk. Deaths: The record is of burials. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
FHL Film Number Collections 1850–3 1482989 item 3 List of the heads of communicant families 1842 “ Note: Kirk session minutes from 1838 may still be in the possession of the minister.

Rafford Free Church
History— The minister of the parish and a considerable number of the congregation “came out” and adhered to the Free Church in 1843. A church was built in 1843-4 and a new church was built in 1900. Membership: 1848, 422; 1900, 270. 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 are given in the source.

Records— Minutes 1843–4, 1855-1936 Deacons’ court minutes 1843–1935 List of members 1843 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1132.