Eccles, Berwickshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #373

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

= 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 census records.

= 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—
Index: 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: Births are frequently out of chronological order 1790–1810. Marriages: The first page of the record is almost illegible, and the second is also in poor condition. From May 1721–April 1754, the records are mixed with births for the same period. There are no entries 1810–January 1818. There are entries of proclamation money for 1776–1785. Deaths: Prior to November 1784 only Mortcloth Dues are recorded. There are no entries September 1794–February 1812. 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 1721–1753, 1832–1942 Accounts 1721–1753, 1813–1923 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/910.

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.

Eccles Free Church
History— This congregation began in 1843 as a preaching station. In 1844 they built a church, and in 1845 they received a minister. The district is agricultural and encountered declining population. Membership: 1848, 180; 1900, 66. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details are given in the source. Records— Minutes 1845–1919 Communion Roll 1845–1894 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/877.

= 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 =

Read more about Scotland Probate Records

Return to the Berwickshire Parish list.