Rothesay, Buteshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #558

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

= History =

Rothesay parish comprehends the whole of the northern part of the Island of Bute which gives name to the county. The ancient gaelic name of this parish, according to the former Account, was Cilla 'Bhrui, signifying 'the Church of St. Broke.' The present name is said to be derived from the Gaelic Roth-suidhe, meaning circular seat, or the place where courts were held and justice dispensed. The length of the parish is 9 3/4 miles and the average breadth 3 1/4 miles which gives an extend of 31 1/2 square miles and 15,998 Scots acres. It is bounded on the south by the parish of Kingarth. The surface of the parish is in general hilly instersected from east to west by two beautiful valleys. There are five lakes. There are small greenstone and slate quarries of which the houses in the town are built.

Rothesay is the chief town and is situated at the head of a bay of the same name on the north-east side of the Island. It is the seat of justice for the county. Rothesay Castle is a noble ruin. The town was plundered by the Norwegians in early times, and later by the English, but was generally prosperous until about 1700 when Campbelltown was erected into a royal burgh and many tradesmen were induced to settle there. Rothesay lost half of its population and fell into decay. It continued in this state until 1765 when a customs-house was established for the accommodation of the Irish colonial trade. The inhabitants then began to engage in the herring fisher and were very succesful. The town arose from its ruins and the harbour was enlarged. A cotton manufactory was established here in 1778, which was the first in Scotland, and this contributed to the prosperity and increase in population. The mills have since been greatly enlarged. It has also become a fashionable watering and sea-bathing place. Sheep and cattle are raised; turnips and potatoes are among the produce grown. Herring fishing is carried out as well as that of other fish. Rothesay is the only market-town in the parish, and place of export and import. Port Bannatyne is the only village in the parish and stands at the head of the beautiful bay of Kames, 2 1/2 miles north-west of Rothesay. The English language is generally spoken.

Rothesay was formed as a parish about the year 1178. The original church was built as early as 1296 and was a cathedral in the days of Popery and Episcopacy. The nave was taken down in 1692 and a new church erected on the site. This church also was taken down in 1795 and the present church then erected. A chapel of ease was erected in 1800, and the North Bute church was erected in 1836. It is 3 1/2 miles north of Rothesay and about a mile south of Port Bannatyne. There is also a Gaelic chapel in Rothesay built in 1837. There are also a United Secession church, a Reformed Presbyterian church, an Independent church, and a small Episcopal chapel. There are ancient ruins in the parish including traces of the Druids and of hill-forts and chapels. There are also the ruins of four castles. King Robert III died here in 1406.

The population in 1766 was 2658, in 1790 was 4032, and in 1837 was 6089 including 4924 in the burgh. Of the last parish figure, 5433 belonged to the Established church, 374 to the United Secession, 81 to the Reformed Presbyterian, 14 to the Relief, 28 Independents, 35 Episcopalians, 53 Papists, 30 Baptists, 2 Methodists, 6 Old Light Burghers, and 33 with no denomination. There are 15 schools, only one of which is parochial. There are six libraries and two reading-rooms in the parish. The are three fairs held annually in Rothesay, as well as a cattle show and a produce show. Almost the only fuel used in the parish is coal, imported mostly from Glasgow. Peat is sometimes used toward the northern extremity of the parish.

The above extract comes from the account written in June 1840.

Source: The (New) Statistical Account of Buteshire. FHL book 941 B4sa, 2nd series, vol. 5, pt. 2.

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.

= 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 Rothesay, 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.

Established Church—Old Parochial Registers
Years Covered     FHL Film Number  Births:           1673-1694            1041086 items 1–2                     1691-1819            1041085 items 3-5                     1820-1855            1041086 items 1-2 Marriages:    1691-1820            1041085 items 3-5                     1820-1854            1041086 items 1-2 Deaths:          No Entries

Condition of Original Registers—
Births: Mothers' names were not recorded until after November 1696. Records have been carefully kept. Marriages: There are no marriage entries for April 1698–January 1699. The portion from 1762–1796 has suffered from dampness. 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: 

Minutes 1658-1661, 1685-1936 Communion Roll 1835-1841 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/890.

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.

Rothesay United (Secession) Presbyterian Church
History— Ten persons resident in the island of Bute petitioned the General Associate Presbytery of Glasgow for supply of sermon in December 1764. The Presbytery did not then comply with the request as they had no preachers who could speak the Gaelic language, which was regarded as necessary for a missionary to the west Highlands. In 1779, twelve persons resident in the parishes of Rothesay, Kingarth, Inverchaolin, and Dunoon petitioned the Presbytery with the same request and a minister was sent to supply the station. The station at Rothesay prospered and it was organized as a congregation. The first church was built in 1783. 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 any records is unknown.

Rothesay Free Church
History— The minister of the parish, most of the elders, and 554 members of the congregation "came out" in 1843. The Gaelic church was found to be too small for them so they worshiped for a time in the yard of a cooperage, roofed for the purpose. The new church was opened in July 1845. A school was built which was maintained for many years. The congregation bought the Old Reformed Presbyterian church, and made it the centre of mission work. The population changed in character with the closing of the cotton mills, and the development of Rothesay as a summer resort. Membership: 1848, 554; 1900 458. 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—                   FHL Film Number  Baptisms 1841-1849      0889485 item 5      X (printput on FHL fiche #6901818) Marriages 1842-1843      0889485 item 5     X (printout on FHL fiche #6901819) Note: The X means the records have been extracted. Other: Accounts 1843-1876 Deacons Court Minutes 1843-1904 Communion Roll 1843, 1846-1899 Members and Adherents 1851-1852 Births and Baptisms 1849-1886 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/486.

Gaelic, Chapelhall Free Church
History— The minister and the whole congregation of the Gaelic church in Rothesay adhered to the Free Church in 1843. They continued to worship in their church, until deprived of it in 1858. A new church was opened in 1860. Membership: 1870, 138; 1900 235. 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— There are no known pre-1855 records.

Rothesay West Free Church
History— The minister of this chapel of ease to Rothesay Parish Church, and almost all the congregation, "came out" in 1843. The new church was erected in Argyle Street in 1846. Membership: 1848, 578; 1900, 388. 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— Cash Book 1849-1868 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/970.

Rothesay Reformed Presbyterian Church
History— In the Presbytery minutes, Rothesay appears in 1827 for the first time as one of the stations to which preaching was assigned. At the end of that year a petition, subscribed by eight persons, asked for regular monthly supply of sermon, and the request was granted. A minister was ordained in 1830 and continued there until 1868. The question of continuance was then raised but a new minister was ordained in June 1870 and served until 1875. During its whole history the congregation continued small, the average membership being considerably under 100. Finally, in November 1875 the congregation was dissolved. The majority of all Reformed Presbyterian churches in Scotland united with the Free Church in 1876. Membership: 1870, 62. Source: The Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scotland, by W. J. Couper, pub. 1925. FHL book 941 K2c. More details are given in the source.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Rothesay Congregational (Independent) Church
History— A small church was formed in 1836 as the result of evangelistic labors in the Gaelic language. In the same year a small chapel was opened at Ardbeg. The church ceased in 1848. Membership: 1837, 28. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL book 941 K2es. More details are given in the source.

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

Scottish Episcopalian Church, Millport
History— Unavailable Note:The church of St. Andrew’s, Millport was built in 1849–1851, but a chapel existed prior to that date. Another church, called St. Paul’s was built later at Rothesay. Membership:1837, 35.

Records— Baptisms 1854 Marriages 1853-1854 Note: Records are apparently in local custody. For information write to: Argyll and the Isles Diocesan Offices The Pines Ardconnel Road Oban, Arbyll PA34 5DR Scotland

Rothesay Catholic Church
History— The area was served from Campbeltown since before 1829. It was called Kames Bay, and became part of the Western District in 1829. The mission was known as Rothesay. The church was dedicated in 1849, called St. Mary=s, Stella Maris. It was rededicated as St. Andrew=s, Rothesay in 1866. Membership: 1837, 53. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers 1700–1880, Scotland, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993 FHL book 942 K24gm vol. 6

Records— Baptisms 1849-1880 Marriages 1850-1880 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record RH21/49.

Note: According to the New Statistical Account of Scotland for Rothesay for 1840, quoting a religious census of 1837, there were also fourteen members of the Relief Church, two Methodists, and six Old Light Burghers who had no places of worship within the parish.

= 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 =

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

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