Walls, Shetland, Scotland Genealogy

Walls #12 This parish includes Foula, Papa Stour, &amp; Sandness

Established Church—Old Parochial Registers
(See also Kirk Session records below.)

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: 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: The registers at Walls have only six entries prior to 1780. Sandness has three pages at the end containing entries for 1815–1843. Papa Stour has only eleven entries before September 1776. Foula has only three entries before 1803. There are irregular entries on three pages 1826–1854. Marriages: The marriage registers at Walls were regularly kept. A few entries for Sandness and Foula are recorded after 1820 in the register of Walls. Sandness has no notations. Papa Stour has four entries after 1800. Foula has six entries 1824–1852. There are no entries prior to 1824. Deaths: Walls has no entries September 1782–January 1796 and June 1796–January 1802, except three for 1798. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British Book 941 K23b.

Walls and Sandness
Records— FHL Microfilm Number Birth Registers 1743–1794 - with gaps 0304667 item 7 Marriage Registers 1743–1794 - with gaps 0304667 item 7 Death Registers 1743–1794 - with gaps 0304667 item 7 Other: Minutes 1735–1751, 1754–1808 Charity Schools Register at Sandness and Papa Stour 1742–1754 Accounts 1806–1857 Walls, Minutes 1809–1857 Accounts 1848–1881 Sandness, Minutes 1796–1827 Papa Stour, Minutes 1802–1819 Foula, Minutes 1802–1816, 1824–1826 Note: Available at the Shetland Archives, Lerwick, Scotland, record CH2/380.

Walls and Sandness Free Church, Mid Walls
History— John Elder, minister of Walls, "came out" in 1843. The church and manse were built in 1844. After Mr. Elder's retirement in 1858, occasional supply was provided until 1864 when another minister was settled. In 1896 the congregation was placed under the superintendence of an ordained minister. Membership: 1848, 106; 1900, 102. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source.

Records— Minutes 1847–1930 Note: Available at the Shetland Archives, Lerwick, Scotland, record CH3/1118.

Congregational Churches
History— Independent ministers first preached in the Shetlands in 1799. Their work was built upon by a convert, who had been studying in Glasgow, who returned to the Shetlands in 1803. He preached in the Lerwick area then became pastor of a church at Bixter which was formed in 1808, largely of people from Walls. Another church was formed in Walls in 1812. After the pastor of Bixter died in 1863, the two churches were combined and closed in 1866. Another church was formed at Foula in 1817, which ceased to meet in 1818. Another church was formed at Sandness in 1824, which ceased to meet about 1874. Sources: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960; FHL Book 941 K2es and The Scottish Congregational Ministry, by Rev. William D. McNaughton, pub. 1993. FHL Book 941 K2mwd. More details are given in the sources including ministers.

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

Walls Methodist Societies
History— There were three Methodist chapels in this parish, which shared a minister with Sandsting. In 1841, membership was said to be 216. The chapels were located at Walls, Sandness, and Foula.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to: Methodist Archives and Research Centre John Rylands University Library of Manchester 150 Deansgate Manchester M3 3EH England

Return to Shetland parish list.