Kirkmichael, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Kirkmichael, Ayr, Scotland (#600)

History

This history was written in 1838.

The name of the parish, which is common to no fewer than 5 parishes in Scotland, is obviously derived from St Michael, a saint of great note in the Romish Breviary, who flourished in the tenth Century.

Kirkmichael is the nearest town.

There are traces of five British or Danish fortlets in this parish. They are circular, and are supposed to belong to the early period of the fourteenth century. The Marquis of Ailsa; Colonel Shaw Kennedy of Kirkmichael; Sir Charles Dalrymple Fergusson of Kilkerran, Bart.; and Sir David Hunter Blair, of Blairquhan, Bart. are the major land owners. Tthe land was primarily used for, sheep, cattle, potatoes, turnips, beans, peas, cotton manufacture, and lime. The population in 1793 was 956. The population in 1836 was 2856.

From 1638 to 1711 the registers were kept irregularly, but more regularly since.

The religious attendance of the parishioners was:

Establishment -2567 Dissenters ---172 Catholics -117

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