Crichton, Midlothian, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #681

History
The river Tyne takes its rise in the upper part of the parish and then flows east through the county of Haddington, Around the Castle of Crichton a great number of glow-worms are here in the summer. On the Longfaugh property there are very perfect remains of a Roman camp. The stand on a rising ground with an extensive view. The registers have been kept regularly since 1687. The population in 1801 was 923, and in 1831 it was 1163. The land is primarily used for grain, potatoes, turnips and hay. Pathhead is the principle village in the parish. The number of families in the Established Church is 189. The number of Dissenters in the parish are 79 families. The number of Dissenting families may be influenced by the fact that the Dissenting church building is in the villiage, and the Established Church building is 2 miles out of town.

This account was written in 1839.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol. 1)

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: Except for seven entries, March 1682–January 1683, transcribed from the session register and a fragment of a page January–August 1689, there is no record until August 1690. Between February and June 1697 are irregular or draft entries, 1710–1745, on fifteen pages. After record for 1817 are sixteen pages of irregular entries 1781–1805. There is a copy of entries January 1818–December 1819. Marriages: Prior to May 1683 there are only transcribed entries of proclamation fees. There are no entries August 1689–August 1690. Previous to December 1696, proclamations and marriages are separately recorded. There are no entries, except 32 transcribed entries of proclamation fees and irregular marriages, 1763–1769, September 1763–November 1770. There is a copy or duplicate of entries December 1816–January 1820. Deaths: Transcribed entries of Mortcloth Dues etc., until 1818. There is only one entry October 1687–June 1693, none for December 1696–November 1724, December 1818–1843, after which, there are burials. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Extent of records is unknown.

Ormiston and Pathhead Free Church
History— The minister and congregation at Ormiston “came out” in 1843. The church was erected in 1843–1844. The minister of Heriot and some of his people also adhered to the Free Church at the Disruption. No site for a church could be obtained at Heriot, so a congregation was formed at Pathhead and a church built. When the minister retired in 1861, Pathhead was reduced to a station. In 1866 the Free Church minister of Ormiston also retired, and the two congregations were united under one minister. A vacancy occurred in 1873 and in 1874 both were reduced to stations. In 1874 sanction was restored to Ormiston. Pathhead was entirely suppressed. Membership: Ormiston 1848, 151; 1900, 149. Pathhead 1848, 140 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— Baptismal Register 1843–1936 Session and Deacons’ Court Minutes 1843–1936 Communion Roll 1844–1936 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/251 and 381.

See also Cranston parish.

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