Wick, Caithness, Scotland Genealogy

Wick # 43

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Baptisms: There are no entries from July 1705-January 1706 and June 1706-January 1707. There are a few pages of irregular entries at 1732. There is a duplicate for June 1753-April 1756. Marriages: No entries exist for December 1705-November 1707, November 1711-June 1717, and January 1756-February 1760. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1701-1723, 1742-1758, 1801-1928 Accounts 1815-1843, 1845-1909 Poor Fund Minutes and Accounts 1815-1843 Communion Roll 1844-1928 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/821.

Wick Secession, Anti-burgher Church
History—  This congregation began about 1768. Newton, one and a half miles from Wick, was the site of the first church in 1771. In 1815, the congregation moved to Pulteneytown, a suburb of Wick. 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— Minutes 1841-1950 Managers’ Minutes 1813-1814, 1837-1949 Collections 1814-1822 Communicants Roll 1842-1843 Other post-1855 records are available. Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1444.

Wick Free Church
History— The Wick congregation and minister left the Established Church in 1843. Soon after the Disruption, a church and manse were built, and later in 1863, a new church was built. Membership: 1855, 1200 including adherents; 1900, 363. 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— The extent of the records is unknown.

Bruan Free Church
History— This congregation was a mission of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. When the minister adhered to the Free Church in 1843, the Society withdrew from the mission and the buildings became the property of the Free Church. In 1845, the charge was sanctioned and in 1847 a minister was settled. Membership: 1855, 500 including adherents; 1900, 102. 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— Baptismal Register 1847-1946 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/883.

Pulteneytown Free Church
History— At the time of the Disruption in 1843 the people of this church joined the Free Church. Since Pulteneytown at the time was not a parish, the British Fishery Society’s grounds were given to this congregation as its district. The church was built in 1853. Membership: 1855, 600 including adherents; 1900, 167. 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 1844-1854 Deacons’ Court Minutes 1844-1853 Baptismal Register 1845-1931 Communion Roll 1843-1886 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/888.

Wick Congregational Churches
History—  In 1799, after the visit of James Haldane and John Aikman, a congregation was formed in Wick, and a Tabernacle built in Parliamentary Square. This was closed in 1962. In 1846, another congregation was organized and met in a chapel on Victoria Place. In 1871, this congregation joined the Evangelical Union, but closed in 1902. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960; FHL book 941 K2es. Source includes lists of ministers.

Records—

The extent of records for both of the above congregations is unknown. For information, write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland

Wick Catholic Church
History— In 1833, a congregation was organized without a parish priest. It was served from Keith, Banffshire, “in the fishing season” 1833-1837. It was vacant 1837-1839, was served from Strichen, Aberdeenshire, “in the fishing season” 1839-1842, and “then from some of the nearest missions” until Wick received its own priest. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700-1880, Volume 6, Scotland, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. FHL Ref book 942 K24gm, vol. 6.

Records— No pre-1855 records exist. See the other localities referred to in the history.