Birsay, Orkney, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #13

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—
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 April 1648–June 1654, February 1666–June 1669, and May 1673–July 1681. There are incomplete records 1742, 1756–1758, and 1763–1768. Marriages: There are no marriage entries January 1666–November 1669, December 1669–November 1670, January 1673–November 1681, December 1699–December 1701, and only one entry from June 1763–March 1769. There are incomplete 1755–1758, inclusive. There are records of contracts of marriage, 1654–1672, and no entries 1664–1669. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1747–1847, 1853–1868 Note: Available on Film at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1083.

Birsay, later Twatt Free Church
History— Almost the whole congregation "came out" in 1843, with the minister and only one of the elders remaining behind. John Garson, former assistant to the minister, was appointed to supply. A church was built and opened in November 1843, and the manse in 1845. A new church was built in 1874. The Original Secession congregation in the parish united with the Free Church in 1852, but, owing to a dispute as to the property, the minister found it necessary to resign, and the congregation was dissolved in 1854. Membership: 1848, 341; 1900, 407. 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.

Records—  There are no known pre–1855 records.

Birsay Anti-burgher Church, Original Secession
History— No history is available. The congregation was formed about 1801.

Records— Minutes 1828, 2 pp Communion Roll 1836 Seat Rents 1801, 1833–1856 Other Post–1855 records Note: Available on Film at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1088.

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