Duffus, Moray, Scotland Genealogy

Duffus #131

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Births: There are no entries for October 1632–January 1662. The entries are numbered but sometimes erroneously. There are no birth entries for April 1694–May 1699. Numbering of entries ceased in March 1716. The records are rather irregular and defective for 1721–1724 and 1752–1754. Entries are frequently out of chronological order throughout, and after 1780 there are a good many inserted and marginal entries. Marriages: Numerous entries appear to be missing because the first entry is numbered 248. Some entry numbers are erroneously repeated. One series of numbers terminates in March 1694 when another begins, ending at January 1716. There are no entries for January 1733–May 1739, August 1753–October 1754, April 1758–August1759, and December 1765–June 1782. There are only three entries for March 1785–March 1797 and only three for October 1800–November 1821. Deaths: Several entries appear to be missing since the numbering starts with #531 in 1662 and continues’ to #2187 in May 1694. A new series of numbers then begins, continuing to #767 in April 1716 when the record ends. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. FHL British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1631–1740 Minutes and Accounts 1742–1781, 1839–1951 Cash Book 1782–1845 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/96.

Burghead Free Church
History— The minister and many of his people joined the Free Church in 1843. For about a year they continued to worship in the parish church. When they were forced to leave that building, they met outdoors and then in a granary before they could build a church and manse. Membership: 1848, 274; 1900, 289. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843 1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records— Extent of the records is unknown.

Hopeman Free Church
History—  Residents of the eastern part of the Burghead congregation obtained separate services and met in a school in Hopeman. In 1852 they built their own church, and the charge was sanctioned in 1856. Membership: 1858, 135; 1900, 437. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843 1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. FHL Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records—  Extent of the records is unknown.

Burghead United Presbyterian Church
History—  Burghead is a village on the Moray Firth in the parish of Duffus. By 1821 the United Presbyterian faith had about 700 followers in this area but no house of worship. The charge was sanctioned in 1822 and a church erected. In 1861, the congregation built a new church. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. FHL Film #477618

Records—  Extent of the records is unknown.

Duffus Episcopal Church
History—  Lewis's Topographical Dictionary of Scotland 1846 notes the existence of an Episcopal congregation near the village of Kaim (or Keam). However, no records or history is available, and no church exists there now. This chapel may have been short-lived.

Records—  Extent of the records is unknown. None may exist.