Duddingston, Midlothian, Scotland Genealogy

Duddingston, Midlothian (Edinburghshire), Scotland (#684)

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.

Marriages: There are no entries, except entries of sums collected at marriages in 1682, June 1681–April 1684, December 1684–September 1694, November 1696–April 1698, May 1698–February 1712, May 1743–August 1747. A large number of irregular marriages are recorded, 1765–1805 and there are no entries May 1817–April 1821. Deaths: There are burial records until 1770. Of 159 persons whose deaths are recorded in 1645, all except seventeen are stated to have died of the “plague” and most of them were interred “in the fute of the lon” (loan). There are no entries except for a few relating to paupers, November 1667–January 1685. Mortcloth Dues January 1771–May 1796 and then There are no entries until February 1813, after which deaths are recorded. See also Portobello Kirk Session records below. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Duddingston Various Minutes 1710–1716, 1742–1797, 1806, 1810–1877 Accounts 1682–1719 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/125.

Portobello Managers’ Minutes 1807–1859 Roll of Members 1837–1843 Treasurer’s Accounts 1830–1861 Register of Burials 1834–1948 Receipts for Tombs 1834–1934 Miscellaneous Papers from 1814 on History of Old Portobello and Regent Street Parish Church 1809–1959 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/512.

Portobello United Associate, First Secession Church
History— In 1825, a group of people made application to the United Associate Presbytery of Edinburgh for supply of sermon, which was obtained, and a place of worship was erected. A trade depression in the area about this time threw the new congregation into financial difficulties when subscriptions could not be met. The only minister resigned in 1833 and the congregation became extinct and the place of worship sold. 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 ministers.

Records— Extent of records is unknown. None may exist.

Portobello Relief Church
History— A congregation was formed in 1834 and a church was acquired. After the only minister resigned in 1843, the congregation united with the new Free Church and sold the building to them. 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 ministers.

Records— Extent of records is unknown. None may exist.

Portobello United, United Free Presbyterian Church
History— In 1835, former members of the first secession church applied again to the United Associate Presbytery of Edinburgh for supply of sermon which was obtained. They erected a church on Bath Street in 1838 and later moved to Windsor Place. In 1929, it did not rejoin the Established Church and continued as a United Free Church. From 1958, it was called Wilson Memorial Church after its former minister. It is currently located at Moira Terrace, Portobello Road. Membership: 2000, 198. 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 ministers also, The United Free Church Of Scotland, Handbook 2000, FHL book 941 K24h.

Records— Baptismal Register 1836–1876 Minutes 1836–1972 Poors’ Fund Accounts 1848–1894 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/933.

Portobello St. Philip’s Free Church
History— The minister of the quoad sacra parish of Portobello, with his session and many of his members, “came out” in 1843 and formed the Free Church of Portobello. They worshiped at first in a school on Bath Street, then in the Relief Church, the use of which had been offered them. They shortly after purchased the building, the Relief and Free Church congregations uniting. In 1874 the church burned down. A new church was built on a different site and was opened in 1877. Membership: 1845, 300; 1900, 558. 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— Cash Book 1848–1884 Other post–1855 records Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/957.

Portobello Congregational Church
History— A church erected in Wellington Street was opened as a preaching station in August 1835 by the Congregational Union. For several years prior to that date Congregationalists from Edinburgh and elsewhere had conducted regular open–air services in the town and a schoolroom had been rented and used as a place of worship. In September 1836 a church was constituted with about twenty members. This congregation was still active in 1993. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960; FHL book 941 K2es, also, The Scottish Congregational Ministry, by Rev. Dr. William D. McNaughton, pub. 1993; FHL book 941 K2mwd. Both include lists of ministers.

Records— Extent of records is unknown. For more information write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland Or you may write to the church on Malborough Street in Portobello.

Portobello Catholic Church
History— The congregation was formed in 1835 and the church was built and dedicated to St. John the Evangelist in 1852. It was served from Edinburgh prior to formation. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700–1800, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. FHL book Ref. 942 K24gm, vol. 6.

Records— Baptisms and Marriages1844–1872 See St. Mary’s, Edinburgh, for earlier records. Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, record RH21/89.

Portobello Episcopalian Church
History— Unavailable

The church was dedicated to St. Mark in 1828 and is currently vacant.

Records— Christenings 1828–1854 Marriages 1829–1854 Burials 1828–1854 Note: Records may be available by writing to: Diocesan Centre 21A Grosvenor Crescent Edinburgh EH12 5EL Scotland Tel: 011–44–131–538 7033

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