Forres, Moray, Scotland Genealogy

Forres #137

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: 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 no entries for December 1678–March 1682. Several families previously omitted are recorded between 1799 and 1803. Marriages: There are no entries for June 1698–March 1702, August 1723–March 1724, and February 1728–January 1732. Deaths: No records exist prior to 1825. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1708–1929 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/162.

Also: Minutes 1650–1676, 1693, 1702–1727, 1732–1799, 1802–1807, 1812–1992 Accounts 1732–1845 Poor Fund Accounts 1740–1756 Collections 1733–1735 Names of Communicants Receiving Tokens 1761 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1448.

Forres Free Church
History—  The minister of Forres and many of his people joined the Free Church at the Disruption. The congregation met in the Independent chapel at first until they built their own church on Cumming Street in 1844. Membership: 1848, 259; 1900, 359. 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 are given in the source.

Records—  Deacons’ Court Minutes 1843 1931 Other post-1855 records are available. Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1448.

Forres United Presbyterian Church
History—  In 1740, many of the people followed their minister, Rev. John Squire, when he left the Established Church, and they formed the Secession congregations of Urquhart and Auldern, now Elgin and Moyness. Then in 1742, the Forres people left this congregation to become a separate congregation. They built several churches: the first in 1772, another in 1813, and the third in 1871. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618.

Records—  Minutes 1774–1794, 1824–1893 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/653.

Forres Congregational Church
History— Preaching was furnished regularly at Forres in 1802 although a church was not organized until 1804. They met in a chapel on South Back Street. In 1844 the minister and congregation agreed with Evangelical Union principles, but the church never formally joined the Union. They built a new chapel on Tolbooth Street in 1867. In 1939, the church closed its doors. Source: A history of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL book 941 K2es.

Records—  Extent of the records is unknown. For information write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office P.O. Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Forres Episcopal Church
History—  The church was consecrated in 1841 and dedicated to St. John the Evangelist.

Records—  Christenings 1841–1854 Marriages 1843–1854 Burials 1842–1854

For access to these and later records, write to the minister at: St. John's Rectory Victoria Road Forres IV36 3BN Scotland