Wiston and Roberton, Lanarkshire, Scotland Genealogy

Wiston and Roberton (#660)

= History =

The New Statistical Account of Scotland (pub. 1834-45) offers uniquely rich and detailed parish reports for the whole of Scotland, covering a vast range of topics including history, agriculture, education, trades, religion and social customs. The reports, written by the parish ministers, are available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Click on ‘Browse scanned pages’ then search the parish reports for Wiston and Roberton. Also available at the Family History Library.

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 Genalogical Index. Births: Wiston has no entries May 1713–February 1714, November 1717–December 1726, August 1786–March 1787. Entries are frequently out of order of time after 1800. Mothers’ names not recorded until 1787. Roberton’s registers prior to 1715 are recorded with the marriages on alternate pages of the same register. There are no entries June 1715–February 1729, except one for 1723. After 1715 there are occasional entries of marriage in register of births. Marriages: Wiston has no entries October 19, 1689–May 1691, August 1709–September 1730, November 1738–June 1742, September 1786–August 1787. Roberton’s registers prior to 1715 are recorded with births on alternate pages of the same register. There are no entries December 1714–June 1729, August 1740–June 1742, except one, December 1742–July 1747. After 1715 there are occasional entries of marriages in the register of births. Deaths: Wiston’s burials are contained on one page. Roberton’s are recorded on occasional pages of the register of births and marriages for same period. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes and Cash Book 1689–1710, 1730–1738, 1742–1830 Testimonials 1741–1791 Accounts 1796–1829 Accounts and Heritors Minutes 1829–1872 Minutes 1831–1963 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/376.

Roberton Free Church
History— In 1843 supply was granted to those who adhered to the Free Church in this parish. The church on Chisholm estate beside the Borthwick water was built and opened in December of that year. Decline of the population brought a great decrease in the membership and for many years it had a struggling existence. In 1852 it was reduced to the status of a preaching station. At first it belonged to the Presbytery of Selkirk but in 1880 it was transferred to that of Jedburgh. Membership: 1848, 60; 1900, 32. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

Roberton Relief, later United Presbyterian Church
History— The two parishes of Roberton and Wiston were combined in 1772 and the place of worship was designated as Wiston. Those persons living in Roberton were unhappy with this decision and with the minister in Wiston. For several years their pleas for the minister to come to Roberton on Sacramental Fast Days were ignored. They thought of building a dissenting place of worship and had several guest ministers come preach to them. Finally in 1799 they applied to the Relief Presbytery of Glasgow for supply of sermon which was granted. A church was built in 1801. This 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 1845–1935 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland of Scotland, CH3/636.

Probate Records
Return to the Lanarkshire parish list.