Corstorphine, Midlothian, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #678

History
Corstorphine was anciently written Crostorfin or ''Crostorfyn. It also has been interpreted as the cross of Torphin, ''acknowledging a connectionwith the grandson of Malcolm II. It may refer to a golden cross in the chapel of the estate in early times. The registers of the parish began as early as 1598, but were not kept regulary until recently (1839). From the year 1809 down to 1835, many stone coffins have been found in the parish. The population in 1791 was 1037, and in 1831 it was 1461. Corstorphine and Gogar are the two villages in the parish but Gogar has gotten very small. There are great quantites of fruit, strawberries, and vegetables produced for the Edinburgh market.

This account was written in 1839.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 1

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There is a duplicate of record January 1709–January 1719. After December 1815, is an appendix of irregular entries, 1787–1812 on seven pages, followed by a copy of the record from September 1797–December 1815, which is continued as the principal register. Mothers’ names are not recorded until September 1642 and are sometimes omitted after that date. Marriages: There are no entries, except one, December 1677–January 1679, November 1694–December 1700. There is a duplicate of record for May 1709–November 1718 and there are no entries March 1762–January 1800, May 1803–January 1804 and December 1809–November 1815. After the record for 1819 are twenty pages of transcribed entries of “Marriage Money,” April 1710–January 1824. There are no entries, November 1766–November 1788. Deaths: Transcribed entries of persons for whom the Mortcloth had been used, 1710–1819. There are no entries except fourteen, November 1766–February 1791, December 1797–January 1804 and December 1805–August 1814. There is also a register of burials from September 1815. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Corstorphine
Minutes 1646–1658, 1665–1685, 1692–1801, 1814–1866, 1881–1914 Accounts 1710–1797, 1804–1824 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/124.

St. Ninian’s
Minutes 1845–1949 Deacons Court Minutes 1844–1940 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/514.

Corstorphine Free Church
History— The minister of the parish in 1843 did not adhere to the Free Church but many of the parishioners “came out,” and at the first meeting of the Free Church Presbytery of Edinburgh steps were taken to constitute a congregation in Corstorphine. Sabbath services were held, first in Lord’s Flour Store and then in a tent. By the month of August 1843 a movement had been begun which resulted in the erection of a church. The church was opened in 1845, remodeled in 1869, and enlarged in 1889. Membership increased as the population of Corstorphine increased. Membership: 1845, 130; 1900, 285. 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 ministers.

Records—  Extent of records is unknown. No records are on deposit at the National Archives of Scotland.

Return to the Midlothian parish list