Kirkmichael, Banffshire, Scotland Genealogy

Kirkmichael (#160)

Established Church–Old Parochial Registers
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: The greater portion of pages starting November 20th 1781 and the 28th of September 1785 are missing as well as part of the page starting at November 13th 1792. Entries are frequently out of chronological order. Marriages: Only eight entries exist February 1770–October 1783. No entries exist except three entries, for December 1803–July 1810. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church–Kirk Session Records
Tomintoul

Minutes: 1833–1843 - with some Accounts and Newspaper Cuttings Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, records CH2/354.

Kirkmichael Free Church
History— The minister and many of the congregation left the Established Church in 1843. They built a church and manse the next year. The rural districts in the parish declined in numbers. Tomintoul, the highest village in Scotland, became a famed summer resort. The congregation existed in what was described as “a stronghold of Roman Catholicism.” Membership: 1848, 106; 1900, 95. 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— Extent of the records is unknown.

St. Michael, now Our Lady and St. Michael
History—

Beginning about the 1680s, there was a resident priest in the area of Strathavon, and by 1763 there were 500 communicants. The chapel for this congregation was located between Findron and Auchriachan until about 1788 when a church was begun in Tomintoul. Despite its location, it was known as Strathavon to 1830. In 1837 the congregation built the large church of St. Michael, now Our Lady and St. Michael. The Statistical Account for Kirkmichael for 1842 notes that between 1833 and 1839 there were 123 Roman Catholic births and 16 marriages in the parish. Attendance at church averaged 485. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700–1880, Scotland, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. FHL Brit Ref. Book 942K24gm, vol. 6

Records— Registers of Births 1808–1970 Registers of Confirmations 1809–1968 Registers of Deaths 1809–1970 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, record [RH21/35].