Kirkhaugh, Northumberland Genealogy

= Parish History =

Kirkhaugh is an Ancient parish and forms a substantial border with the neighbouring county of Cumberland.

Kirkhaugh the Church of the Holy Paraclete. The Holy Paraclete is the Holy Spirit as embodied in the dove. “Paraclete” is translated from the Greek “paracletos” which means “the one who stands along side you to help you”. There is no other church in England bearing this dedication. The Church was designed by the rector, Octavius James, without the benefit of an architect in 1849 although it occupies a very ancient site and is mentioned in medieval writings. The 1851 census shows Octavius James and his family at Clarghyll Hall about two miles away from the Church but across the Ayle Bum in Cumberland.

Sadly Kirkhaugh lost both her rector and her records in a fire at Clarghyll Hall in 1898. Parish Records are therefore of limited use to those researching ancestors. The Bishop's Transcripts are therefore valuable due to the loss of material.

= Parish Records =

Durham University Library Archives and Special Collections Reference number: DDR/EA/PBT/2/156 Date: 1760-1844 Parish Register transcripts are available to search free online at Record Search.

The dates of the post-1760 transcripts have been noted in detail and sometimes only cover years. For most parishes in the collection there are gaps in the sequence of transcripts. It is advisable to consult the original parish registers for these years and events.Kirkhaugh, Holy Paraclete: Records of baptisms 1760-1958, marriages 1761-1957 and burials 1760-1954 are available at Northumberland Collections Service. Microfilm copies of marriages for the period 1761-1837 can be seen at Tyne and Wear Archives Service. The International Genealogical Index (I.G.I.) includes baptisms 1760-1823 and marriages 1761-1876 for this parish, and Boyd's Marriage Index includes marriages 1760-1812. Transcripts of baptisms 1760-1824, marriages 1761-1824, burials 1760-1824 and of monumental inscriptions for Kirkhaugh are available at Newcastle Central Library, Local Studies Dept.