Belhelvie, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #174

This is a guide to the history and major genealogical records of Scotland as they pertain to the parish of Belhelvie. To learn more about how to use these records to search for your ancestors, go to the Scotland: Research Strategies.

= History =

Also available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under ‘For non-subscribers,’ then search for the parish report.

= Census Records =

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

Here is a list of the Family History Library microfilm numbers for the census records of Belhelvie as well as the library numbers for any surname indexes available:

= Church Records =

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Portions of thirteen pages for August 1635–October 1645 are destroyed. The record is blank from the latter date to March 1699. Several pages commencing from this last date are imperfect. The record is defective for January 1715–March 1716. The whole record prior to 1792, has suffered much from dampness. Marriages: The marriage record is blank for June 1645–March 1699. Pages from the latter date to August 1715 have been much injured by dampness. There are no entries for August 1715–January 1716. Mothers’ names not recorded in the entries until 1747. There is only one entry for December 1790–April 1792 and the record is blank for June 1794–July 1797. Deaths: Burial records are blank for October 1706–January 1709 and August 1715–March 1716. Portions have been injured by dampness. The record is blank for January 1788–February 1792. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1623–1917 Cash Book 1850–1932 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/32.

Shiels United Presbyterian Church
History— This congregation originated from the attentions of the minister of the Craigdam congregation who preached here occasionally. It was accepted by the General Associate, Anti-burgher Presbytery of Elgin as a preaching station. The cause prospered and the congregation was disjoined from Craigdam in 1782. 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— Session Minutes 1828–1829 Account Book with Managers’ Minutes 1808–1850 Treasurers’ Accounts 1852 Post-1855 records also available. Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/41.

Belhelvie Free Church
History—  The Belhelvie charge was sanctioned in 1844, though the members had been meeting for a while. A church was erected at Potterton in 1843. The Belhelvie Free Church and the Shiels United Free Church, formerly United Presbyterian, united in 1905 and formed the Belhelvie and Shiels Free Church. Membership: 1848, 120; 1900, 121 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— There are no known pre-1855 records for Belhelvie. Return to the Aberdeenshire parish list.