OLD PARISH RECORDS 

Buittle old parish records are held within the General Register Office, at the east end of Princes St., Edinburgh (behind the Scottish National Archives), but because of their fragile nature, access is only possible for special research. Viewing is otherwise by means of microfilm, and the reproduction quality is generally very good. GRO makes an access charge so be sure you know what you require before going there.  Dumfries and Galloway Council have an Archive Centre in Dumfries which has a copy of the microfilm. Free public access is available here, but it is advisable to check in before going there specially. (Tel. No. Dumfries [01387] 269254).

Buittle Parish records are contained in two manuscript volumes, the first begins in 1736, with entries being made, generally, in chronological order, and are mixed with Kirk Session records. In 1786, things became more organised, with each year being shown under section headings; Baptisms, Deaths and Marriages. Session records were dropped, but with the advent of the Kirk Session Minute Books in 1779, they continued to be recorded elsewhere. A second book of parish records was started in 1819, and the format begun in 1786 was continued. With the introduction of the Registrar in 1855, these local records were discontinued. 

In preparing the lists of entries here, I must acknowledge the work previously carried out by Howard E Sproat, of Drury in MO. U.S.A., who has extensively researched and recorded the old parish records for Kirkcudbrightshire. Much of the writing in the original records is very stylised;  christian names are commonly abbreviated; and an old style of English writing is used, particularly in the earlier entries by the Rev. John McKnaught. What each entry actually says is very much open to interpretation. I have used Mr. Sproat's analysis as a basis for my work, but have found it necessary to make many amendments where I believe his interpretation can be improved upon. Specifically, some difficult to read names have been confirmed, and amendments made, through research amongst other records. Double-checking of entries is ongoing, and amendments will continue to be made. Where the writing on the records is quite clear however, the contents of the original entry will be shown here. If necessary, should research suggest the recorded name is incorrect, the researched name will follow in brackets. 

I must point out that any transcription of old documents, including this work and others across my web pages, should not be considered as 100% reliable. You should use any transcribed listings only as a starting point for your own research, and should any entries be identified which you believe to be of interest to you, I suggest you have the original manuscript examined to confirm the interpretation.  Whilst I have taken every care, no responsibility can be accepted for the accuracy of any recording made here, or elsewhere on this web site.

The following extract is from the 2nd Statistical Account, 1844, by the Rev. Alexander Crosbie.

Parochial Registers. - These consist of minutes of the kirk session, and of the records of marriages and baptisms. They commenced in 1736, and were regularly kept till 1780. From 1780 to 1807, the record of baptisms is somewhat defective. From 1736 to 1807, the date of the baptism is always entered; that of the birth only occasionally. Since 1807, the date of both the birth and baptism is recorded. The average number of marriages for the last three years is 6; of baptisms for the same period, 22; of deaths, 7. The register of baptisms is not so complete as it ought to have been, owing to Dissenters not choosing to enter the births of their children in the parish register. The entries are chiefly made by parents belonging to the Established Church.

DEATHS and BURIALS

Rev. Crosbie makes no mention of the records of Deaths and Burials, perhaps because he himself had not paid attention to their accurate completion over his years in the position. I have transcribed the complete list of Deaths/Burials from the records, as listed below  The deaths recorded are far from complete, even for those years showing numerous entries.  Examination of the gravestone inscriptions reveals many others, and of course many people were buried without any memorial stone.   Two records of death were entered in the early records, but a separate "Register of Deaths and Burials" was begun in 1788. A new register was started in 1820.  Many other parish records have omitted recording of burial information altogether, so perhaps we are fortunate to have what we have!!

Deaths and Burials  - 1761 to 1852

BAPTISMS

The baptism records should not be confused with records of birth. The earlier ones (up to 1807) only record baptism dates, with very exceptional birth dates shown. Rev. Crosbie notes that dissenters, i.e. those not following the Established Church, did not record births. There are approx. 1400 entries in the first register, and 835 in the second. The entries have been sorted into alphabetical order, using the child's surname.

Note with regard to names. The original recorders of these parish records tended to use a system of abbreviation when writing down first names of people, particularly in relation to parents in the baptism lists. The use of Jo.^s for Joseph, Jo.ⁿ for John, and Ja.^s for James are the most common ones in the male name, and Isab.^e for Isabelle and Isab.^a for Isabella for females. This has led to problems in interpretation of these names, and you may wish to consider them as being a little unreliable. Also the use of the abbreviation Marg. for Margaret can sometimes be confused with the name Mary, Eliz. for Elizabeth confused with Eliza, and the use of Jean, Jane, Jannet and Janet is often erratic.

Baptisms - 1736 to 1819: Part 1 - Surnames Adamson to Kissock

Baptisms - 1736 to 1819: Part 2 - Surnames Lairment to Wylie

Baptisms - 1820 to 1856. All surnames

MARRIAGES

Details of marriages carried out at Buittle Church are recorded in both journals, and span the period 1736 to 1854 inclusive. Here they have been gathered together, and listed twice, first alphabetically by the man's surname, and then alphabetically by the woman's surname.

Marriages - 1736 to 1854. Male name order

Marriages - 1736 to 1854. Female name order

Roman Catholic Records

In parallel with the Presbyterian Parish Church, there was a private Roman Catholic Chapel at the Mansion House of Munches. A record of the baptisms, marriages and deaths of the Roman Catholic members of the community was kept and have survived. They date from 1745, and continue until the establishment of the RC Church in Dalbeattie.  In addition, Rev. William Tod, the parish minister, produced a list of Roman Catholics in the Parish in 1704. 

Roman Catholic Records - from 1704 to 1811.

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Copyright original material and this selection © 1998-2003 James Bell. Much material however is out of copyright.
Last modified: December 13, 2002