Kirkmichael, Ayrshire, Scotland Genealogy

Kirkmichael, Ayr, Scotland (#600)

History
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

This history was written in 1838.

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

Established Church—Old Parochial Registers
Years Covered FHL Film Number Births:1638–1854 1041390 Marriages: 1638–1854 1041390 Deaths:1783–1854 1041390

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Births:No entries August 1677–March 1686, except two entries, August 1687–September 1693, May 1710–February 1715, and June 1734–December 1735. There is a duplicate of portion August 1725–December 1727. There are irregular and incomplete entries October 1743–February 1753. At May 1807 there are irregular entries on five pages dated 1794–1818. Mothers' names are seldom recorded until 1807. Marriages: No entries June 1751–December 1752, November 1676–January 1686, August 1687–September 1693, December 1702–1705, December 1706–November 1714, November 1721–November 1724, June 1734–1736, and June 1741–1753. Deaths: Prior to October 179 the entries are burials. There are no entries October 1790–January 1817. After January 1817 the entries are both deaths and burials. Source:Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970 British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1692–1710, 1778–1808, 1844–1972 Note: Available at the Ayrshire Archives Centre, Craigie Estate, Ayr, Scotland, record CH2/1333.

Crosshill Quoad Sacra Parish
Records— Seat Rents 1838–1857 Minutes 1854–1934 Baptism Register 1854–1888 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1231.

Crosshill Free Church
History— The united charge of Crosshill and Dalrymple was sanctioned in 1845. In 1849 they were disjoined as separate stations. The church was built in 1848. The charge was sanctioned in 1856. The manse was erected in 1861. In the circumstances of the population, there was no room for expansion of the congregation. Some of the people worked on the farms, others in the boot and shoe factories in Maybole. Membership: 1858, 128; 1900, 110. 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— Minutes 1849–1850, 1854–1933 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/1230.

Catholic Church
History— In 1834 it was estimated that there were 15 Catholic families at Crosshill and 11 at Kirkmichael. However, there were no churches at these locations. The members may have been served from Ayr. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700–1880; Volume 6: Scotland, by Michael Gandy. FHL British Book Ref. 942 K24gm vol. 6 Records— No records. Check those for Ayr.