Farr, Sutherland, Scotland Genealogy

Farr # 50

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: 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: There are only eight entries prior to 1800. There are irregular entries throughout and only eight entries 1804–1819 on the first page after 1817. Marriages: There is only one entry in 1803 and there are slight irregularities in the order of dates. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
The extent of records is unknown.

Farr Free Church
History— David MacKenzie, minister of Farr, and nearly all his people, "came out" in 1843. For two years, the Duke of Sutherland, misled by his factors, persecuted the Free Church. After personally attending a Free Church service at Lairg in 1845, he made the factors change their attitude. The Farr congregation, which had for some time worshiped in a tent, then obtained a site on which a church, manse and schoolhouse were erected. Membership: 1855, 500; 1900, 90. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Altnaharra Free Church
History— In this remote district of the parish of Farr, at the head of Strathnaver, the people, about 160 in number, all adhered to the Free Church in 1843. The minister of Farr gave them occasional services. The charge was sanctioned in 1869. Church and school had already been built, and a manse was in prospect. With the settlement of Mr. MacKay in 1871, the session records that "the thread of organized church life was resumed after a long and dreary gap of fifty-two years". The "gap" was caused by the great Strathnaver evictions in 1819, when, in a single day, Donald Sage, minister of the church which formerly stood at Achness, with 100 of his people, was ejected. Membership: 1877, 47; 1900, 7. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records— No known pre–1855 records.