Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Genealogy

Peterhead #232

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: The leaf containing records January–June 1674 is very imperfect, also the leaf March–December 1683. Record is blank from latter date to July 1685. There is probably a leaf wanting after May 1738. The regular record is blank September 1783–1794. There are, however, 186 entries, on as many detached slips of stamped paper, dated between 1759 and 1794; and the record commencing at the latter date contains numerous irregular entries applicable to previous years, from 1740, downwards. The record after 1820 also contains many irregular entries of an earlier date. Mothers; names are not recorded. Marriages: There are two imperfect leaves and probably a leaf wanting, after December 1666. Record is blank February 1764–December 1796, except two entries 1793 and 1794. Deaths: Record of burials blank 1679–1804; but there are entries of Mortcloth Dues 1734–1756, which to some extent supply the defect. The record after 1804 was kept by the sexton. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1673–1695, 1734–1755 Poor’s Accounts 1759–1882 Accounts 1726–1836, 1843–1866 Session Clerk’s Memo Book 1838–1843 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/300.

Peterhead First United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated with members of the Anti-burgher congregation of Clola, resident in and about Peterhead, who finding it inconvenient to travel between those places weekly, applied to the Presbytery to be formed into a separate congregation, which was allowed in 1790. Church built in 1794. After the resignation of the minister in 1815, that position remained vacant until the union of the two great branches of the Secession in 1820, at which time the remaining members of the '''congregation united with the Second congregation. Their place of worship was sold to the Independents. Source:' Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church'', by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— No known Records.

Peterhead Second United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated in a dispute which arose among the members of the First congregation. Forty–three members applied for and obtained supply of sermon from the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Perth in 1799. Church built in 1800. Second church built in 1858. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details are given in the source.

Records— No known Records.

Peterhead St. Peter’s Free Church
History—  The minister and congregation of St. Peter’s Chapel of Ease “came out” in 1843. The church, built in 1842, was just ready for occupation at the Disruption, and it was opened as a Free Church. A split in the congregation issued in the formation of a new charge, the South Free Church, sanctioned in 1875. Membership: 1848, 807; 1900, 470. 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—  No known surviving records.

Peterhead Independent Congregational Church
History— A church was formed in 1823. Eventually a chapel was purchased in Windmill Street which had been built by the Anti-burgher congregation. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL Book 941 K2es, pages 254–7. Includes further details on each congregation plus a list of ministers. See also FHL Bool 941 K2mwd.

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

Peterhead Baptist Church
History— A congregation was formed in 1840 with a meeting place at Longside.

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

Peterhead Methodist Church
History— The Methodist cause may have been established in Peterhead as early as the 1770's. The first chapel was opened in about 1817. Membership about 1840 was much less than 200, the capacity of seating in the chapel. The society or church was still in existence in 1947. There appears to be no church there today.

Records— The extent of Records is unknown. For information, write to: Methodist Archives and Research Centre John Rylands University Library of Manchester 150 Deansgate Manchester M3 3EH England

Peterhead Episcopal Church
History— This congregation was established in 1689. The chapel was erected in 1814. Membership: 1843, 1172 with about 700 communicants, by another account, 1400 to 1500 members. Source: History of the Scottish Episcopal Church, by John P. Lawson, pub. 1843. No copy is available in the FHL.

Records— FHL CALL NUMBER Baptisms 1738–1788 941.25/P1 V26p X Note: The X means the records have been extracted.

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