Fordyce, Banffshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #153

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

= History =

Also available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under ‘For non-subscribers,’ then search for the parish report.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Prior to July 1717, mothers’ names are not recorded in the entries. Two pages have been lost with entries December 1740–August 1741. After 1788 irregular entries are frequent, and several members of a family are sometimes recorded together. Marriages: No entries exist for November 1747–June 1748. Deaths: Mortcloth Dues; there are no entries 1751–1786 and 1807–1845. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes: 1622–1634, 1640–1688, 1707–1725, 1725–1769, 1776–1864 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, records CH2/305.

Minutes - Discipline Book 1658–1684 Minutes and Accounts 1684–1723, 1740–1751; 1751–1786 Poor Fund Accounts 1736–1746 Cash Book 1760–1786, 1846–1863 Minutes 1786–1825, 1839–1888 Accounts 1786–1845 Register of Deeds, Cartulary, 1678–1902 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, records CH2/1114.

Fordyce Free Church
History— The parish minister remained with the Established Church at the Disruption. However, some in his parish left the church to form a congregation. The charge was sanctioned in August 1844. Membership: 1848, 108; 1900, 128. 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 1843–1909 Deacons’ Court minutes 1846–1900 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, records CH3/1250.

Portsoy Free Church
History— The minister and some of the congregation of the quoad sacra parish left the Established Church in 1843. Membership declined due to changes in the fishing industry, as well as emigration from the area. Membership: 1848, 274; 1900, 240. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— FHL Film Number Baptisms and Marriages, 1843–1855 0304671 item 25 X Session Minutes, 1843–1911 1886469 Deacons’ Court Minutes, 1844–1854 1886469 Baptisms, 1875–1915 1886470 items 1–3 Marriages 1904–1914 1886470 items 1–3 Deaths, 1896–1915 1886470 items 1–3 Communion Roll, 1845–1876 1886470 items 1–3 Note: The X means records have been extracted.

Portsoy Roman Catholic Church
History— This congregation began about 1790 and the church was dedicated to The Annunciation in 1858. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700–1880, Scotland, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. FHL Brit Ref. Book 942K24gm, vol. 6.

Records— Registers of Births 1822–1939 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, record RH21/30

Portsoy Episcopal Church
History— There is no history available. However, the 1851 census report noted a total of about 500 attending services at four places of worship within the county. See also Banff, Keith, and Rathven parishes.

Records— FHL Film Number Registers of Christenings 1799–1911 0924056 item 2 Registers of Marriages 1839–1911 0924056 item 2 Registers of Burials 1828–1911 0924056 item 2 See also book 941.24/P1 V26p

Portsoy Branch, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints
History— Unavailable

Records— FHL Film Number Record of Members, 1848–1853 0104155 item 10

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