Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #196

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. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Birth records are defective for 1749. There is a duplicate of a portion February 1750–January 1757. Interpolated entries are not un-frequent after 1750, and irregular entries dated 1789–1810 occur after 1812. Mothers’ names are seldom recorded before 1818. Marriages: Marriage records are blank December 1755–December 1783. After February 1794, except for three entries 1804–1811, the record is merely one of proclamation fees, etc., and is defective. Deaths: Prior to 1779, only a record of Mortcloth Dues exists. The records are blank from the latter date until December 1783, when a register of burials commences, which is continued to November 1791. There are only Mortcloth Dues from 1791–1817. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b. Monumental Inscriptions: for Peathill Old Churchyard FHL Book 941.25/3 V3s

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1612–1616, 1618–1631, 1661, 1718–1730, 1732–1746, 1780–1816, 1833–1895 Minutes and Accounts 1666–1692 Accounts 1717–1728 Registers of Discipline 1816–1833 Cash Book 1762–81, 1794–1817 Seabox of Fraserburgh Minutes 1714–1833, with gaps Note: Available at the New Register House, Edingburgh, records CH2/1142

Fraserburgh Free Church
History—  The congregation here was formed immediately after the Disruption, and regular services provided. Steps were taken at once for the erection of a church. Some years elapsed before a schoolhouse and manse were built. Membership: 1848, 390; 1900, 294. 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 1792–1871 Deacon’s Court Minutes 1844–1899 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1051.

Fraserburgh Congregational Churches
History— A church was formed in 1803 as a result of the preaching of James Haldane in the area. A pastor was acquired the same year. The church was located on Mid Street. Another church was formed in 1845 by three deacons and fifty six members of the Mid Street church who were sympathetic with the Evangelical Unionists. A small chapel was erected on Manse Street. The congregation joined the Evangelical Union in 1865. The church was closed in 1916. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL Book 941 K2es, pages 254–7. This book includes further details on each congregation plus a list of ministers. See also 941 K2mwd.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information, write to: United Reformed Church Synod of Scotland 340 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BQ Scotland

Fraserburgh Baptist Churches
History— In 1840 the town was visited by a Baptist disciple who held meetings and baptized a number of persons. That same year four well–known members of the Congregational church seceded and became practically the founders of the Baptist congregation here. For a time the congregation met in rented rooms before they took over the old, disused Episcopalian Chapel on Mid Street. In spite of lacking a settled minister, the congregation grew. A church was opened on Victoria Street in 1878. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926. FHL Book 941 K2hi, pp. 89–92. This book includes a detailed History of the Crown Terrace church.

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

Fraserburgh Episcopal Church
History— This congregation has existed since the Reformation. The chapel was erected in 1793 and has since been enlarged and improved. A Sunday school meeting in the Town Hall was attached to the congregation. Many members were of the poor and working classes. Between 200 and 300 members resided in neighboring parishes. Source: History of the Scottish Episcopal Church, by John P. Lawson, pub. 1843. A copy of this book is not available in the Family History Library. Records— Christenings, Marriages, and Burials, 1788–1854. For more information write to: Fraserburgh Episcopal Church c/o 7 Whitefield Court Buckpool Buckie AB56 1EY Scotland

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