Perth, Perthshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #387

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

= History  =

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 reports for your parish of interest. 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 Perth 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 [https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Scotland_Church_Records 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: The birth record prior to 1581 is tabulated and the entries, when complete, consist of the date and four names, the father, child, and two witnesses. No entries February 1581–December 1614, December 1649–October 1653, and August 1687–October 1691. After the record for 1771 is an appendix (49 pages) containing entries for 1749–1771. Mothers' names are not recorded until October 1653. Marriages: No marriage entries December 1566–January 1568, December 1570–June 1571, and November 1577–June 1578. After the record for February 1581 occurs a separate record of contracts or proclamations June 1565–March 1569. The entries prior to 1581 contain no information respecting the parties, except their names. No entries February 1581–October 1653, except two, February 1655–June 1657, and September 1669–August 1691. There are five incomplete entries after September 1657. Separate records of proclamations and of marriages June 1693–April 1698. Deaths: No death entries October 1563–January 1568 and December 1576–June 1578. Half of the last page, August–November 1581, is cut off. The entries usually record only the names of the deceased. The designation, however, is occasionally added. 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: 

Perth St. John's General Session
Minutes 1577–1624, 1631–1642, 1665–1686, 1692–1921 Baptisms for Burgh and Parish of Perth 1779–1782 Baptismal Register 1815–1854 Marriage Registers 1828–1901 Treasurers Accounts 1853–1918 Letter Book 1833–1850, 1854–1865 Scroll Baptismal Register 1843–1854 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/521.

Perth Middle Church
Minutes 1808–1851 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/584.

Perth East Church
Minutes 1808–1892 Baptismal Register 1853–1859 Marriage Registers 1853–1859 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/585.

Perth West Church
Minutes 1808–1844, 1858–1923 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/586.

Perth St. Paul's Church
Minutes 1808–1906 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/587.

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.

General Statement: According to the report in the New Statistical Account of Scotland, written in 1837, the seceding places of worship in Perth were one for the Old Light Burghers, two for the New Light Burghers and Anti-burghers, or United Secession, and two for the Relief church. Some of these would later have been United Presbyterian congregations. The places of worship for dissenters were one for the Independents, one for the Baptists, one for general Baptists, and another for Glasites. There was also an Episcopalian chapel, a Wesleyan Methodist chapel, and a Catholic chapel. The population included 11,683 in the Established Church, 7101 belonging to other denominations, 228 Catholics, and 589 professing no religion.

First Secession South, later Wilson United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated in the secession of the minister of Perth from the Established Church in 1733. A great majority of his congregation adhered to him, and large numbers were speedily added to it from the surrounding parishes. In 1740 a place of worship was erected. At the "Breach" in 1747, part of the congregation adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod and retained the property. The other part of the congregation adhered with the minister to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod and took possession of the North Secession church, see the history of that church. In 1800, the minister separated from the Associate Synod along with part of his congregation and formed the Original Associate Burgher Synod, Old Light Burghers. This situation continued until 1819 when the question of which group had right to the possession of the church was finally settled in court, and the original associate group withdrew. This latter group (see Kinnoull Street Old Light Burghers below) reunited with the Established Church of Scotland in 1839, while the former became United Secession in 1820 and United Presbyterian in 1847. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records—  Baptismal Register 1748–1962 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1284/36.

North General Associate Anti-burgher Church
History— This congregation originated 1747 with the separation of the minister and the minority of the First Secession Church who adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod while the majority adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod and retained the property. A church was built in 1749. A second was built in 1792 with seating for 1404. At the union of the two great branches of the Secession in 1820, the minister protested the union and withdrew with a portion of the members, and with them formed another congregation, Old Light Anti-burghers or Original Secession. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— Family History Library Film Number North Church:  Baptisms 1740–1854 0889486 item 1 X Marriages 1740–1741, 1778–1786 0889486 item 1 X Note: The X means records have been extracted. Other: Minutes 1739–1906 Manager Minutes 1781–1839 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/507.

Original Secession Church
Minutes 1831–1840, 1919–1928 Accounts 1845–1914 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/966.

Craigend Anti-burgher United Presbyterian Church
History— Craigend is a village in the East parish of Perth, 3 miles south of the city center. This congregation originated with members of the congregation of Abernethy and the North Antiburgher congregation of Perth who were desirous of having a place of worship in their own connection more conveniently situated for them. Their church was built in 1780. This congregation became United Secession in 1820 and United Presbyterian in 1846. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— Baptismal Register 1827–1852 Various Minutes 1783–1974 Collections 1785 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/415.

East, First Relief Church
History— Two ministers were sent by the Relief Synod on a mission tour to the north in 1785. They found a number of persons connected with the Established Church, who were favorably disposed towards the Relief Synod, to whom they preached. Soon after they applied for and obtained supply of sermon from the Relief Presbytery of Dysart. A church was built in 1786, and a new church opened in 1863. In 1837, the church was stated to seat 902 persons. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— Session Minutes 1806–1911 Manager’s Minutes 1798–1829 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/366.

Canal Street Relief Church, later United Presbyterian, extinct
History— This congregation originated with a minority of the First Relief, now the East congregation, who preferred another candidate to the one elected by the majority in 1807. In order to obtain this person, they formed a separate congregation. In 1816 they moved to a chapel on Canal Street. In 1818 they took possession of the Independent Chapel on Canal Street. In 1851 the chapel was sold back to an Independent congregation, and the members, who had adhered to the United Presbyterian Church, dispersed themselves among other congregations in the town and this one became extinct. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Kinnoull Street Old Light, later Free Church, extinct
History— This congregation, originally Old Light, joined the Church of Scotland in 1839, and "came out" with their minister in 1843. When the minister retired in 1870, the congregation was discontinued and the members joined other churches. Membership: 1848, 139; 1870, 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 1838–1869 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/767.

Perth Presbytery of Original Seceders
Records— Minutes 1843–1940 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1401.

St. Leonard's Free Church
History— John Milne, minister of St. Leonard's Church Extension charge, with most of his office bearers, and the bulk of his people, "came out" at the Disruption. They worshiped in the North Secession Church, afterwards known as the Wilson Church, and the Original Secession Church, until their own church was ready for occupation in October 1843. School buildings and a manse were also provided. A new church was erected in Marshall Place in 1885. Membership: 1848, 900; 1900, 648. 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 1836–1844, 1858–1877 Deacons Court Minutes 1844–1882 Accounts 1845–1877 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/545.

St. Stephen's Free Church
History— The minister and almost the entire congregation of the Gaelic church "came out" in 1843. After a few weeks they were deprived of the church and met for worship first in the Guild Hall and then in a church on Kinnoul Street, which later became part of Messrs. Pullar's works. The church in New Row was erected in 1846, and the manse in 1852. A new church was built in 1878, the old church passing to St. Paul's congregation. The name was changed to St. Stephen's in 1886, when the Gaelic service was discontinued. From that date on the membership steadily increased. Membership: 1848, 240; 1900, 724. 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 1843–1914 Communion Roll 1852–1923 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/697.

Middle Free Church
History— The minister of the Middle Parish Church and the majority of his congregation "came out" at the Disruption. They worshiped in the old Wesleyan Church, South Street, until their own church was opened in October 1843. A new church was erected on North Tay Street in 1887. Membership: 1848, 715; 1900, 641. 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— Baptisms 1845–1878, 1782–1784 Marriages 1845–1880 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1283.

West Free Church
History— The minister of the West Church and the great majority of the congregation "came out" in 1843. They worshiped in the Independent Chapel until their own church in Glover's Yard was ready for occupation. A new church, with halls, etc., was erected on Tay Street in 1871. Membership: 1848, 773; 1900, 803. 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— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Perth Glasite Church
History— John Glas (1695–1773) was the minister of Tealing parish and was suspended from his pulpit because of his radical teachings. He set up a church in Dundee whose members became known as Glasites. In 1733 they built their first meeting house in Perth. Other churches followed in Scotland and England. His son-n-law, Robert Sandeman, exported the faith to America where its followers became known as Sandemanians. Source: The Internet at www.dundee.ac.uk/archives/ms009.htm.

Records— Correspondence 1790–1896 Exhortations 1848–1877 List of Church Members in the United Kingdom and North America c.1762–1856 Records of Glasite congregations throughout Britain, particularly Edinburgh and London Note: Available in manuscript form at the Dundee University Archives, Dundee, Scotland.

Independent Congregational Churches
History— The first Congregational minister in Perth served for eighteen months beginning in October 1794, and a chapel was purchased for worship. It was called Paul Street Chapel. A congregation was not formed until 1798. Shortly after, they moved into a newly-built Tabernacle on South Street. In 1809 two of the lay pastors, and about twenty members, left the church, and formed a Baptist congregation. The Congregational group was eventually evicted from the Tabernacle by the Baptists and a new chapel was built on Canal Crescent in 1810. In 1824 they moved to a newly-built and larger place of worship on Mill Street. In 1896, this church united with the Perth Evangelical Union Church, formed in 1856, to form the Congregation Church of Perth. In 1851, a new church was formed in Canal Crescent by members of the Mill Street church. It was never a strong congregation and it closed in 1872. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. Family History Library book 941 K2es. Further details are given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown. For information write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Baptist Churches
History— Our source for the history of Baptist churches does not include the Tabernacle church, mentioned in the history of the Congregationalists above. We have no other history for this church. Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary of Scotland for 1846/51 states that there were Baptist and General Baptist places of worship in Perth. Baptists were included among Cromwell’s troops posted to Perth during the last 17th century. Again in 1784 there were Baptists meeting and witnessing in Perth. But it was not until the Haldane brothers converted from Congregationalist to Baptist beliefs in 1808 that a church was constituted with twelve members. Two years later it consisted of eighty members with four elders, four deacons, and two preachers. They met in the Tailors’ Hall, High Street. In 1830, they built a church on South Street, with seating for about 200. In 1891 new premises were purchased. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926. Family Hisotry Library book 941 K2hi. More details may be given in the sources including list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to Baptist Union of Scotland 12 Aytoun Road Glasgow G41 5RT Scotland

Perth Wesleyan Methodist Church
History— A congregation was formed and a place of worship was purchased in 1814 and rebuilt the following year. They later moved to another location. This society was still in existence in 1947. Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to one of these: Perth Methodist Church Methodist Archives and Research Centre Scott St, John Rylands University Library of Manchester Perth PH2 8LU 150 Deansgate Scotland Manchester M3 3EH England

Perth Episcopal Churches
History— The History is unavailable.

Records— St. John the Baptist: 1802–1984: registers include baptisms, burials and services, accounts, plans and photos, miscellaneous finance papers, correspondence, minutes and records of St Andrew's chapel and school.1834–1963: Minute books, reports, legal papers etc. St. Ninian's Cathedral: 1846–1984: registers include, baptisms, marriages and burials, minutes, accounts, plans, drawings and photos, miscellaneous papers including annual reports.19th century, 20th century deeds, minute books and miscellaneous records. Note: Available in private collection. Make enquiries to: National Register of Archives Scotland HM General Register House Edinburgh EH1 3YYScotland

Roman Catholic Church
History— This church was founded in 1821 but was served first from Stobhall until 1823 then from Dundee. The first resident priest was installed in 1830.

Records— Baptisms 1831–1856 Marriages 1833–1856 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record RH21/41.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Records—  Family History Library Film Number Record of Members 1847–1853 0104155 item 6

= 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 Registrationfor more information and to access the records.

= Probate Records =

Perth was under the probate jurisdiction of the Commissary Court of St. Andrews until 1823, and since then has been under the Sheriff's Court of Dunblane. 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 Perthshire and the subject of 'Probate records.' Then click on the link to the records of the Commissariat of St.Andrews. The library also has some post-1823 probate records for Perthshire. Look in the library catalog for the 'Place' of Perthshire and the subjects of 'Probate Records' and 'Probate Records - Indexes.' Read more about Scotland Probate Records.

Return to Perthshire parish list.