Barr, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #580

History
Barr was made a parish in 1653 from the more remote parts of the parishes of Girvan and Dailly. Barr, and Girvan are the nearest towns. It is the birth place of the Viscount Stair. The Marquis of Ailsa; Sir James Fergusson, and Bart. Of Kilkerran were the major land owners. The land was primarily used for, oats, sheep, cattle grains, potatoes, and flax. The population in 1777 was 858. The population in 1837 was 941. The parish registers are not very exact, many parents neglecting their duty to register their children. There is no register of deaths.

This account was written in 1837.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland(FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol.5

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. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index.

Births: Entries for 1810–October 1818 appear to be a copy. Mothers' names rarely recorded until 1796. Marriages: Chiefly proclamations, except for 1730–1759. No entries March 1791–February 1793. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1653–1654, 1733–1736, 1781–1927 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/808.

Barr Free Church
History— Ebenezer B. Wallace, minister of the parish, and many of his congregation, "came out" in 1843. They worshiped in a tent until the end of the year, when their new church was opened. The manse was built in 1844. The membership was greatly reduced in 1865, when the congregation split over the election of a colleague to Mr. Wallace. A new church was erected in 1892. The pulpit bible dates from 1698. Emigration told adversely on the congregation. Membership: 1848, 205; 1900, 94. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572.

Records— Baptisms 1843–1903 Minutes 1843–1893 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/757.

Return to the Ayrshire Parish List