Dornoch, Sutherland, Scotland Genealogy

Parish # 47

History
The town and parish of Dornoch derive their name from the Gaelic words Dorn-Eich, which signify a horse’s foot or hoof. It is bounded on the east by the Little Ferry, which separates it from the parish of Golspie; on the north and west by the parishes of Rogart and Criech; and on the south by the Dornoch Firth, which separates it from the county of Ross.

Dornoch is the only market-town in the parish, and the only Royal Burgh in the county. It was erected into a royal burgh by a charter from Charles l. A.D. 1628.

Among the eminent men connected with this parish is Sutherland, Lord Suffus, who had a residence in Skelbo, and also Gordons of Embo. The heads of these families acted a conspicuous part in the feudal quarrels and wars of their times. Connected with this parish also, by purchase of lands and by residence, were George Dempster, Esq. of Dunnichen, and John Hamilton Dempster, Esq. his brother. These gentlemen were of a younger branch of the ancient family of Dempster of Muresk, in the county of Aberdeen.

By the Government census of 1821, the population of the town and parish was 3100, in the 1831 census, it was 3380, and would have been 300 more, had there not been a partial emigration to British America the previous year.

The land-owners are the Duchess Countess of Sutherland; George Dempster, Esq. of Skibo; Major George Gunn Munro of Poyntzfield; and Mrs. Gordon of Embo. None of the principal land-owners reside in the parish, except Mr. Dempster.

There have been great improvements made to agriculture that has provided heavy crops of wheat and other grains. There is a five-course shift in the rotation of crops adopted in the parish, oats, turnips, and potatoes, barley and grass seeds, hay or pasture.

Dornoch was formerly the seat of the Bishop of Caithness. The precise time of the erection of the See is not ascertained. Andrew, Bishop of Caithness, had his seat here in 1150; and in 1222, Gilbert Murray was consecrated bishop.

The great body of the people are within six miles of the church; some at a distance of seven or eight miles, and in one district about twelve. There are no Dissenters, and only one family of Seceders, who almost regularly attend public worship in the parish church.

A register of baptisms has been kept, though sometimes not very regularly, since 13th August 1730; and a register of marriages, since 13th August 1734. Since 1817, both registers have been kept correctly. A register of deaths of the parish has been kept since January 1821.

This account was written September 1834.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 15.

Also available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under ‘For non-subscribers,’ then search for the parish report.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries May 1732–May 1734, December 1741–June 1744, July 1751–August 1754, and March 1760–June 1781, except six or seven families recorded in groups, 1761–1813. January–March 1796 has been partially destroyed. Marriages: There are no entries October 1741–June 1744 and May 1760–December 1781, from which date to 1796 they are recorded among the baptisms. One entry dated 1853, is after 1849. Deaths: There is only one entry dated 1816. 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.

Dornoch Free Church
History— The minister of Dornoch, with a large congregation, adhered to the Free Church in 1843. Church and school buildings erected in 1844. The manse was built in 1882. The church was renovated in 1896. Membership: 1855, 900; 1900, 100. 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.

Return to Sutherland parish list.