Alva, Stirlingshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #470

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Alva.

= History =

To be added

= Census Records =

To be added

= Church Records =

The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about church records.

Here are the pre-1855 records that exist for this parish.

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. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Duplicate of record 1655–May 1717. Records have been regularly kept throughout. Pages of records after 1716 have been subscribed by the Session–Clerk. Mothers’ names not recorded until 1684. Marriages: Portion prior to June 1717 is merely a transcript. Pages of record from 1717–1779, have been subscribed by the Session-Clerk. After May 1810, the fact of marriage is seldom recorded. See also Kirk Sessions below. Deaths: Burials; names of two witnesses of the interments usually added to the entries before 1779. There is one entry for 1830. See also Kirk Sessions below. 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 Kirk session was made up of he 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 1681–1690, 1716–1984 Accounts 1666–1756, 1760–1829, 1846–1930 Marriage Register 1673–1717 Proclamation Register 1849–1979 Lairs Burial Plots Register 1670–1840 Congregational Roll 1836–1866 Note: Available at the Stirling Council Archives, Stirling, Scotland, record CH2/10.

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.

Alva United Associate Church, later United Free Eadie
History— This congregation originated with members of the congregation of Alloa and Tillicoultry who were desirous of having a place of worship more conveniently situated for them. There was both room and need for another church in Alva, which had been rapidly growing by the introduction and extension of the woollen manufactures. They applied for and obtained a supply of sermons from the United Associate Presbytery of Stirling and Falkirk in 1839. A place of worship was built in 1842. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source including a list of ministers.

Records—  Managers’ Minutes 1849–1868 Seat Letting Book 1849–1873 Note: Available at the Stirling Council Archives, Stirling, Scotland, records CH3/1255.

Alva Free Church, later West United Free Church and West Church of Scotland
History— Only a few adhered to the Free Church in Alva in 1843. Unsuccessful attempts were made to unite Alva with Tillicoultry. The charge was sanctioned in 1846. The church was built and opened in March 1848 and soon afterwards the manse was erected. The population increased with the development of trade, but later it somewhat diminished. Membership: 1848, 63; 1900, 180. 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 a list of ministers.

Records— Session Minutes 1844–1883 Deacons’ Court Minutes 1848–1871 Committee Minutes 1848–1851 Congregational Fund Cash Book1848–1866 Note: Available at the Stirling Council Archives, Stirling, Scotland, record CH3/13.

= 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 =

To be added

[Return to the Stirlingshire parish list.]