Torphichen, West Lothian, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #671

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Torphichen.

= History =

Available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages via the parish reports.

= Census Record =

A census record is a count and description of the population, taken by the government, arranged by locality and by household. Read more about Scotland Census Records.

= Church Records =

The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about Scotland Church Records.

Here are the pre-1855 records that exist for this parish.

Established Church—Old Parochial Registers
See also book # 941 B4sr vol.40

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 Genealogical Index. Births: There is only one entry for March 1712–April 1714 and none for December 1751–January 1753. Two pages containing entries for May 1762–March 1763 are recorded after those for January 1760 and there is one page of irregular entries for 1756 before September 1760. Mothers' names are not recorded until 1701. Marriages: Proclamation fees are intermixed with Mortcloth Dues and other matters. Deaths: Mortcloth Dues are intermixed with proclamation fees and other matters. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
The Kirk session was the court of the parish. The Kirk session was made up of he minister and the land owners and business men of the parish, chosen to serve on the session. The Kirk session dealt with moral issues, minor criminal cases, matters of the poor and education, matters of discipline, and the general concerns of the parish. Kirk session records may also mention births, marriages, and deaths.

Minutes and Accounts 1673–1851, 1855–1878 Disbursement of Half Crowns 1700–1714 Certificates on Leaving Parish 1808–1823 Collections 1850–1879 Collections Register 1743–1754 Cash Book 1753–1808 List of Poor and Their Allowances 1756–1758 Expenditure for Part of Parish West of Logie Water 1828–1835 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/503.

Nonconformist Church Records
A nonconformist church is any church that is not the Established church. Read more about nonconformity in Scotland in the article on the Scotland Church Records Union List.

Torphichen Associate Burgher Church, extinct
History— In 1747, some parishioners who were unhappy with the choice of a new parish minister withdrew from the Established Church and applied to the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Edinburgh to be formed as a congregation. This was granted. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #0477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— Session Minutes 1843–1894 Deacons Court Minutes 1844–1884 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/438.

Torphichen Free Church
History— This congregation was organized at the Disruption in 1843, and the parish minister also adhered to the Free Church. A school was built here. With the development of industries in the district, the old agricultural population gradually gave place to a new industrial class. Membership: 1848, 150; 1900, 117. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #0918572. More details are given in the source.

Records—  The extent of records is unknown.

Blackridge Free Church
History— At the Disruption in 1843, the congregation at Blackridge adhered to the Free Church. However, this was a preaching station until 1898. The members originally were farmers and farm servants. The opening of the mines changed the character of the population. Membership: 1849, 60; 1900, 104. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #0918572. More details are given in the source.

Records—  There are no known records.

= Civil Registration Records =

Government or civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths (also called Statutory records) began on January 1, 1855 in Scotland. Each parish has a registrar's office and large cities have several. The records are created by the registrars and copies are sent to the General Register Office in Edinburgh. Annual indexes are then created for the records for the whole country. See the article on Scotland Civil Registration  for more information and to access the records.

= Probate =

Read more about Scotland Probate Records.

Return to the West Lothian Parish List.