Bolton, East Lothian, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #704

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

= 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 Scotland Census Records.

= Church Records =

The Established Church of Scotland was Presbyterian. Read more about Scotland Church Records.

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

Condition of Original Registers—
Indexed: 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: This record seems to have been regularly kept. At the beginning of the volume are copies, and also a facsimile, of twelve entries of the name of Yule dated 1626–1657. Marriages: Regularly kept, excluding that, 1685–1688, the fact of marriage is often not added. Deaths: Burials are blank, excluding one entry September 1701–October 1745, and defective 1795–1826. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
The Kirk session was the court of the parish. The Kirk session was made up of he minister and the land owners and business men of the parish, chosen to serve on the session. The Kirk session dealt with moral issues, minor criminal cases, matters of the poor and education, matters of discipline, and the general concerns of the parish. Kirk session records may also mention births, marriages, and deaths.

Records—                                            FHL Film Number  Baptisms         1850–1861       0304660 item 3 Marriages         1850–1860       0304660 item 3 Deaths             1840–1860       0304660 item 3 Other: Minutes 1640–1802 - with some accounts, 1832–1898 Cash Books 1803–1842 Financial Minutes, 1838–1925 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/37.

Salton and Bolton Free Church
History— The minister of Salton parish and many of his people adhered to the Free Church in 1843. At first they worshiped in a large barn. Church and manse were soon erected. The minister of the neighboring parish of Bolton also “came out”, but owing to illness was unable for duty. Some of his people attended worship at Gifford; but most of them went to Salton, and became identified with the congregation there. Membership: 1848, 255; 1900, 78. 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 a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

= 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 about Scotland Probate Records.

Return to the East Lothian Parish list.