Douglas, Lanarkshire, Scotland Genealogy

Douglas (#641)

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 International Genealogical Index. Births: A portion of a page at 1698 is cut off. The entries for April 1767–December 1770 are twice recorded. Families occasionally recorded together. Mothers’ names are not recorded until 1696. Marriages: There are no entries 1709–1718 and July 1719–June 1786, from which date until June 1816 the record is one of proclamations only. Deaths: There are no entries June 1792–1833. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1692–1894 Letter Book 1815–1846 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/953.

Douglas United Presbyterian Church
History— A praying society in the parish of Douglas acceded to the Associate Presbytery in 1741. The members were subsequently included in the congregation of Cambusnethan, eighteen miles away. Thirty–six years later there were only seven seceders in the whole parish of Douglas, all of them belonging to the General Associate, Antiburgher, congregation of Hamilton, twenty miles away. In time the cause became extinct. In 1815 a Seceder minister preached in the parish. In 1816, a few persons resident in Douglas applied to the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Lanark for supply of sermon which was supplied occasionally. In 1817 the persons were formed into a regularly organized congregation. A church was built that year. The first minister was ordained in August 1820, just before the union of the two great branches of the Secession in September. 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 a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Douglas Free Church
History— Services were provided at Douglas immediately after the Disruption. The church was erected in 1845. In that year the charge was sanctioned. Subsequently a manse was built. Membership: 1848, 230; 1900, 197. 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 a list of ministers.

Records—  Session Minutes 1847–1899 Deacons’ Court Minutes 1847–1904 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/420.

Douglas Water Reformed, later Free Presbyterian Church
History— Douglas Water, at first known as Riggside, was one of the earliest centers of the Reformed Church. A church was erected about 1763. In 1807 the congregation split into two, one at Douglas Water and one at Penpont. A new church building was erected in 1844. By 1873, there were 96 members and 68 adherents who signed the call of a new minister. This congregation split on the question of the Union in 1876. The majority joined the Free Church, but the minority retained the buildings on the Lesmahagow side of Douglas Water. They ultimately joined the Established Church. Membership: 1877, 103; 1900, 141. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. Also: The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, by W.J. Couper, pub. 1925. FHL Book 941 K2c. More details are given in the sources including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

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