Elgin, Moray, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #135

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Elgin. To learn more about how to use these records to search for your ancestors, go to the Scotland: Research Strategies.

= History =

It appears from the chartulary of Moray that the name of this town and parish prior to the year 1226 was Elgyn or Helgyn; and an old iron seal in the town’s repositories, has this inscription, engraven in Saxon characters, in a style supposed to be earlier than that of the middle of the 16th century, “S.COMMUNE CIVILTATIS DE HELGYN”. A variety of etymologies have been given of the name, but the most probable derives it from Helgy, General of the army of Sigurd, the Norwegian Earl of Orkney, who conquered Caithness, Sutherland, Ross, and Moray, about the beginning of the tenth century.

Elgin is the county town, the seat of the presbytery, of the law and county courts. About the beginning of the eleventh century it appears to have been a considerable town, with a royal fort. The earliest charter of guildry was granted by Alexander II in 1234. There are no villages in the parish, and Elgin is the only town. This is no a manufacturing place, the population are capitalists, professional men, retailers, artisans, and laborers.

Alexander Grey, Esq. surgeon, and Lieutenant-General Anderson both of the E.I. C. Service the former a native of Elgin, and the latter a proprietor and occasional residenter, deserve to be mentioned. Dr. Grey amassed a very considerable fortune in the East, the greater part of which be bequeathed for charitable purposes, particularly for building and endowing a hospital for the sick poor of the town and county of Elgin.

General Anderson was born of very humble parents in the neighborhood parish of Lhanbryd, and entered the Honourable Company’s service as a private. By his good conduct and soldierly qualities he attained rank and wealth, and the large fortune which he had honourably acquired he devoted at his death to the education of the young, and the support of the aged poor of his native county. the Elgin Institution at the east, and Grey’s Hospital at the west end of the town are splendid memorials of the philanthropists.

The principal proprietors in the parish are, the Earls of Fife, Seafield, and Moray, George Duff of Milton Duff, Colonel Alexander Hay of Westerton, Alexander Brander of Springfield, James Stephen, M.D. of the Shanchry, James Stewart King of the Greyfriars, Lachlan Cuming of Blackhills, and Major Taylor of Bilbohall.

If the return of the population of the town and parish prior to the Government census be correct, it has fluctuated very considerably. In 1750 the numbers were 6308, in 1793 the population dropped to 4534, and by 1831 it climbed up to 6130.

The Morayshire Farmer’s Club was instituted in 1799, and is now the oldest local agricultural Association in Scotland. The original members were most happy in their selection of Mr. Isaac Forsyth as secretary, who engaged in the cause with all his heart, and for more than a quarter of a century, devoted the energy to the patriotic objects for which the Society was established.

The produce that is grown in the parish includes grains, potatoes and turnips, hay, and pasture for grazing. Thirty-five years ago the breeds of horses and cattle in the parish and district were of a very inferior description, but since that time much attention has been paid to their improvement. The best breeds of horses from the southern counties have been introduced; and it may now be asserted that more compact, active, strong, horses are seldom to be met with than those in the possession of the Morayshire farmer. The most prevalent breed of cattle in a black-colored horned breed, resembling the Aberdeenshire, though not so large, and, with much care and expense by the breeder, it has attained great symmetry and beauty as well as size. The few sheep fed with the farmer’s cattle do not require to be noticed, but pigs of every variety of breed are very abundant in every farm yard, and there are few of the poorest cottagers without one.

There are eight grain mills in the parish, a carding-mill for wool, and a saw-mill for timber. Thrashing-mills driven by horses or by water are in general use. There is tannery and brewery in the town and two distilleries in the landward part of the parish, are in active operation.

The parish church, in the center of the town, is about eight miles-distant from the west most point of the parish, and nearly five from the south-east extremity. As three-fourths of the population reside in the town it could not be more conveniently situated. The church was built in 1828, and can conveniently contain 1800 persons. Thirty-six free sittings are set apart for the poor. There are two chapels connected with the United Associate Synod of the Secession church; one with the Associate Synod of Original Seceders, and Independent chapel in connection with the Congregational Union of Scotland, an Episcopal, and a Catholic chapel, the Catholic bishop residing in Enzie, Banffshire.

The register of baptisms and marriages, extending to seven volumes, commences in the year 1705, and though a few years are wanting, it may be reckoned on the whole as complete a record as is to be found in most parishes. The register of burials begins in 1770, and is confined to those interred in the cathedral burying-ground. This inaccuracy, however, is more apparent than real, as the number of strangers interred in the cathedral ground are probably very nearly the same as the number of persons who die in the parish, and are buried in the neighboring church-yards. These registers are most accurately kept.

This account was written April 1835.

Source: The New Statistical Account of Scotland for Elgin, Family History Library book 941 B4sa, 2nd series, vol 13.

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 you are interested in. Also available at the Family History Library.

= Census Records =

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

Here is a list of the Family History Library microfilm numbers for the census records of Elgin as well as the library numbers for any surname indexes available:

The 1901 census of Scotland is indexed on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. To use it, you must register and pay a small access fee. All available censuses, 1841-1901, are indexed on this website. It may be easier for you to pay to use the website rather than access the separate indexes through the library.

= Church Records =

The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about church records.

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

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: There are no entries for April 1615–July 1617, September 1626–October 1666, November 1669–June 1679, and December 1679–August 1705. There are three pages of irregular entries dated 1710–1743 and three entries for 1808–1815 after the record for May 1709. There is one page of irregular entries for 1734–1747 recorded on September 1735. There is an index to the 1732–1788 entries. Then there are pages of irregular entries for 1776–1796 prefixed to the record beginning August 1788. Marriages: There are no entries for April 1709–June 1770, except two for 1710 and 1741 found at pages 64 and 66 of the record of births for 1709. There are only four entries for December 1770–October 1783, after which the record is regularly kept. Deaths: The record includes burials. 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 session was made up of the 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.

Here is a list of the surviving Kirk session records for this parish: 

Minutes 1598–1605, 1613–1675, 1682–1783; accounts 1780–1843 Collections 1697–1711 Poor Distribution 1842–1849 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/145.

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.

Elgin High Free Church
History—  At the disruption in 1843, the minister and most of his congregation left the Established Church, which was the only church in Elgin. They constructed a church the same year. In 1850, the congregation split to form a second congregation, and the original group called themselves the High Church. The original church building was renovated in 1893. Membership: 1848, 740; 1900, 705. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843 1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records— Minutes 1844–1972 Deacons’ Court Minutes 1849–1959 Communion Rolls 1844–1938 Other post-1855 records Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1414.

Elgin South Free Church
History—  When the Elgin Free Church could no longer accommodate the growing congregation, a second charge was sanctioned in 1851 as the South Free Church. They met for a time in the old Baptist chapel until they could build a new church in 1854. Membership: 1854, 164; 1900, 372. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843 1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records— Extent of the records is unknown.

Pluscarden Free Church
History—  The minister and most of the congregation of the Chapel-of-Ease at Pluscarden left the Established Church in 1843. They continued to worship in the old priory of Pluscarden, as they had before the Disruption, until it was sold in 1897 and they built a new church. The congregation declined through depopulation. Membership: 1848, 85; 1900, 87. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843 1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Family History Library Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records—  Session Minutes 1843–1905 Deacons’ Court Minutes 1838–1899 Communion Roll 1843–1920 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/359.

South Street United Presbyterian Church
History—  In 1734, because of a dispute, this congregation divided into two groups: Urquhart and Auklearn, Nairnshire. Urquhart was moved to Elgin for convenience. The same minister was ordained over the two congregations and preached at both places. The First Secession Church in Elgin was built in 1754. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History Library Film #477618.

Records—  Extent of the records is unknown.

Moss Street United Presbyterian Church
History—  The Established Church gave permission for the collegiate charge of Elgin to worship in the "Little Kirk." They invited various ministers to preach until 1788 when their own minister was ordained. When the "Little Kirk" was condemned, they built a new chapel on Moss Street in 1801, which the Presbytery would not allow them to open. As a result, the congregation seceded in 1804 and joined the General Associate Anti-burgher Presbytery of Elgin. A new church was built on the old site in 1858. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Family History LibraryFilm #477618.

Records—  Extent of the records is unknown.

Elgin Congregational Church
History—  The church in Elgin was organized in 1804 by a group called the "Free Presbyterian Congregation." An Independent minister met with them and applied Congregational principles. Soon they formed the Elgin Congregational Church and erected their first chapel in 1822 and a second in 1866. The church ceased about 1950. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. Family History Library book 941 K2es. Records—  Extent of the records is unknown. For information write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Elgin Baptist Church
History—  This church was organized in 1808 with 30 members who purchased a hall in 1828. The group had no pastor until one was finally settled in 1843. The congregation at Lossiemouth was formed from this church 1862. They built a new church in 1892. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926. Family History Library book 941 K2hi. More information is given in the source.

Records—  Extent of the records is unknown. Write to: The Baptist Union of Scotland 12 Aytoun Road Glasgow G41 5RT Scotland

Elgin Episcopal Church
History—  A church dedicated to the Holy Trinity was consecrated in 1829.It is today combined with St. Margaret's at Lossiemouth.

Records—  Extent of the records is unknown. For information write to the minister at: The Episcopal Rectory 8 Gordon Street Elgin IV30 1JQ, Scotland

Elgin Roman Catholic Church
History—  In 1827, this mission was formed. A church was built in 1843, consecrated to St. Silvester. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700 1880: Vol. 6 Scotland, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. Family History Library Ref. book 942 K24gm vol. 6.

Records—  Baptisms 1840–1918 Marriages 1841–1918 Note: Copies available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record RH21/20.

= 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 Records =

Elgin was under the probate jurisdiction of the Commissary Court of Moray until 1823, and since then has been under the Sheriff's Court of Elgin. Probate records for 1513- 1901 are indexed online at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk. You must register on the website but use of the index to probate records, called 'Wills &amp; Testaments,' is free. You may then purchase a copy of the document or, if the document is before 1823, it will be on microfilm at the Family History Library. To find the microfilm numbers, search in the library catalog for the 'Place' of Moray and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of Moray.

The library also has some post-1823 probate records for Moray. Look in the library catalog for the 'Place' of Moray and the subjects of 'Probate Records' and 'Probate Records - Indexes.' Read more about Scotland Probate Records.

Return to Moray parish list.