Kirkoswald, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Kirkoswald, Ayr, Scotland (#601)

History

This historical account was written in 1842.

This parish takes its name from Oswald, a Northumbrian king of the Heptarchy, who built a church on the site of the burying ground beside the village, in gratitude, it is said, for a victory he had there obtained.

Kirkoswald is the nearest town.

Upon a small promontory on the barony of Turnberry, now the property of the Earl of Cassillis, are the ruins of the famous castle of Turnberry, the seat of the Earls of Carrick.

The land was primarily used for, wheat, beans, oats, dairies, cheese, coal, some fishing of salmon, white-fish, and herring.

The population in 1081 was 1679. The population in 1841 was 2030.

There are registers of births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths, all regularly kept. No dates given of when they commenced.

The whole population with the exception of five or six Dissenting families, belong to the Established Church.

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