Kilchoman, Argyl, Scotland

Parish #540

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Kilchoman. To learn more about how to use these records to search for your ancestors, go to the Scotland: Research Strategies.

History
This parish obtained its name for the burying place of Chomanus  who is supposed to have come from the monastery of Iona to establish the Gospel in Islay. Port Charlotee, and Port Wymiss are the nearest towns. This area was long in the hands of the Danes and Norwegians. The major land owners were: Walter F. Campbell of Islay, M. P.; Walter Campbell of Sunderland; and Colin Campbell of Balinaby. The land was primarily used for, stone quarry, potatoes, cattle, sheep, hay, peas, beans, oats, barley, fishing cod, and flax The population in 1801 was 2050. The population in1841 was 4505. The registers have been kept only since 1822. In favorable weather attendance is considerable at the Established Church. An Independent Chapel at Port-Charlotte, but only 10 Families of Dissenters attend. This account was written in 1844.

source:New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol. 7) also available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under 'For non-subscribers,' then search for the parish report.

Condition of Original Records—
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. Note: No records appear to have been kept prior to 1821. There was a quoad sacra parish at Portnahaven and the minister there was known to baptize and marry without having the names of the parties entered in the parish register. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
No records are available.

Kilchoman Free Church
History— Alexander Cameron, minister of the parish, left the Established Church in 1843. A new church was soon erected. The manse was built in 1847. The parish is large and the population sparse. The gradual decline of population adversely affected the congregation. Membership: 1848, 52; 1900, 71. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Portnahaven Free Church
History— After some hesitation the minister of the parish remained in the Established Church in 1843. However, all the elders and many members of the parish left the Established Church in July, and a congregation was formed. A school and teacher's house were erected in 1849. The congregation had the status of a station under Kilchoman. Under Dr. MacLachlan's plan an endowment of £1000 was accumulated before 1875 after which the school and teacher's house were then renovated and enlarged and became the church and manse. A new manse was erected in 1892 and the church was repaired in 1893. Membership: 1876, 123; 1900, 69. Source:Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source including ministers.

Records— Extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Independents
The Statistical Account of Scotland, for Kilchoman for 1839, states that there was an Independent chapel at Port Charlotte, with about ten dissenter families in the parish. No history is available and the extent of any records is unknown.

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