Historical records from some of the congregations which left the Church of Scotland in the Great Disruption are now available to view on Scotland’s People.
In the schism 470 ministers would leave to found the Free Church of Scotland. The records dating from 1739 to 1900 include congregations which left in earlier splits.
The new records cover 262 congregations from across the country. They include United Presbyterian, Free, United Free and other Protestant churches. All 262 congregations had rejoined the Church of Scotland by 1929. A full list is available here.
Among the records are kirk session minutes, accounts and cash books, communion rolls, deacons’ court minutes and seat rents.
National Records of Scotland runs the Scotland’s People website. Archivist Jocelyn Grant said: “The Church of Scotland was at the heart of Scottish life well into the late 19th century. These records are a treasure trove for family historians and social researchers.
“Among the records are the minutes of the kirk sessions which acted as a court for their parish. They settled disputes and handed out punishment for misbehaviour.
“Churches also carried out significant charity fundraising and gave support to those in need. These records tell us a lot about people’s lives and the values of the time.”
The records reveal how church members donated money or labour for new churches.
Scotland’s People also hosts the Old Parish Registers which recorded births, deaths and marriages before the introduction of civil registration in 1855.
