Cockburnspath, Berwickshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #731

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Cockburnspath.

= History =

Available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages via the parish reports.

= Census Records =

A census record is a count and description of the population, taken by the government, arranged by locality and by household. Read more about census records.

= Church Records =

The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about church records.

Here are the pre-1855 records that exist for this parish.

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: There is only one entry, 1705, from December 1700–November 1707. Marriages: There are no entries May 1699–June 1709. The record following appears to be chiefly proclamations. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1844–1936 And other post-1855 records Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/68.

Cockburnspath, Stockbridge Associate Session Church
History— When a member of this parish heard a Secessionist minister preach about 1776, he requested and received supply of sermon for Cockburnspath. The group met first at Old Cambus and later moved to Woodend near the Pease Bridge. They built their own church in 1793. This group became United Presbyterian in 1847 and United Free Church of Scotland in 1900. In 1929, they rejoined the Church of Scotland. 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— FHL Film Number Session Minutes 1795–1901 1482990 Seat Rent Books 1838–1864 1482990 Baptisms 1795–1937 1482991 item 1–2 X to 1861 Marriages 1795–1927 1482991 item 1–2 X to 1861 Note: The X means records have been extracted. Other: Managers’ Minutes with Accounts 1828–1871 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/57.

Cockburnspath and Oldhamstocks Free Church
History— When the minister of Cockburnspath left the Established Church in 1843, he was denied a place of worship. His congregation was finally able to build a church in Oldhamstocks. Meanwhile, the minister of its neighbor Oldhamstocks remained in the Established Church. They built a new church in Cockburnspath in 1890. Membership: 1848, 170; 1900, 70. 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—                                                                           FHL Film Number  Register of Members’ Contributions    1851–1862     1482990

Other: Association and Deacons’ Court Minutes 1843–1937 Cash Books 1843–1867 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/58.

= Civil Registration Records =

Government or civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths (also called Statutory records) began on January 1, 1855 in Scotland. Each parish has a registrar's office and large cities have several. The records are created by the registrars and copies are sent to the General Register Office in Edinburgh. Annual indexes are then created for the records for the whole country. See the article on Scotland Civil Registration for more information and to access the records.

= Probate Records =

Read more aabout Scotland Probate Records.

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