Bothwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland Genealogy

Bothwell (#625)

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 center. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries September 1671–January 1689 and January 1703–December 1709. A page preceding the latter date is lost. There are Irregular entries frequent 1792–1819. Mothers’ names are not recorded until 1709. Marriages: Marriage records prior to 1702 are on occasional pages of the register of births for same period. There are no entries December 1702–February 1761, after which date a record of proclamations only. No entries November 1790–1827. Deaths: Mortcloth Dues. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1707–1713, 1754–1789, 1813–1827, 1837–1947 Accounts 1705–1885 Heritors Minutes 1756–1761 Testificates 1713–1811 Bothwell Friendly Society List of Members 1791–1798, 1825–1831 Statute Conversion Money 1810–1818 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/556.

Nonconformist Church Records
Only those founded pre–1855

Bothwell Free Church
History— The congregation was formed here at the Disruption by local adherents of the Free Church. A church and manse were built in 1844. A new church was erected and additions made to the manse in 1860. Bothwell Free Church at first supplied the wants of a wide district, including Bothwell, Uddington and Blantyre. The provision of the churches at these places restricted the membership at Bothwell. Membership: 1848, 220; 1900, 259. 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—                                                          FHL Film Number  Baptisms             1843–1854, 1881     0889485 item 3 Minutes               1844–1968 Communion Roll   1844–1856 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/476.

Holytown Free Church
History— A congregation was formed here in 1843. The church was built in 1844 and the manse in 1848. A cemetery was secured in 1849. A school, opened in 1861, was handed to the School Board in 1874. A new church was built in 1880 and a hall in 1893. Membership: 1848, 125; 1900, 326. 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—                                                                FHL Film Number  Baptismal Register               1843–1909      0889485 item 4 Minutes                               1845–1948 Deacons’ Court Minutes        1845–1943 Communion Rolls                 1845–1961 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/478.

Bellshill Relief, later United Presbyterian Church
History— This was the fifth church which arose in connection with the Relief Presbytery. The immediate occasion of its origin was the settlement of a new and unpopular minister in the parish church of Bothwell. The seceding members of Bothwell joined with seceders from several other parishes and erected a church at Bellshill in 1763. They also established a burying ground on the same property. The church was soon enlarged to accommodate the growing congregation. In 1840 membership stood at 1607. A new church was built in 1846. The congregation joined the United Presbyterian Church in 1847. 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— Baptismal Register 1764–1856 Burial Register 1797–1809, 1816–1889 Various Minutes 1832–1940 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1037.

Newarthill Presbyterian Church United
History— A praying society in Bothwell acceded to the Associate Presbytery in 1739 and met with other seceders in Avondale. When the Avondale group was divided, the seceders in Bothwell met in Hamilton. In 1802 the Bothwell seceders were disjoined into a seperate congregation. The church was built that year in Newarthill. In 1836, the minister and part of the congregation removed to Airdrie and formed a congregation there, and a new minister was obtained for Newarthill. In 1840 the membership stood at 595. The congregation joined the United Presbytery in 1847. 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.

Bellshill Congregational Church
History— This church was formed in October 1841 by members of the church in Hamilton. A church was erected in October 1842. The church was admitted to the Congregational Union but severed its connection in 1844. It joined the Evangelical Union in 1854. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL Book 941 K2es. This book includes a list of ministers.

Records— For information about records write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Holytown Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints
History— A branch was organized in Holytown about 1843. It existed in some form until about 1880.

Records—                                                 FHL Film Number  Record of Members 1843–1879     0104153 item 3

Other Nonconformists
There was no Catholic Church in Bothwell, but in 1836–1840 there were 118 persons of the Catholic faith living within Bothwell parish as well as 22 Old Light Burghers, who would have broken from the Newarthill congregation in 1805, 17 Episcopalians, 17 Unitarians, 16 Cameronians, and 5 Baptists. They would have attended services in neighboring parishes. New Statistical Account

Return to the Lanarkshire parish list.