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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Ayrshire => Topic started by: i love paisley on Thursday 03 April 08 05:51 BST (UK)
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Hello,
I am seeking information on my gggggggrandfather, William Reid, born about 1678. He was married to Sarah Bogle of Kilwinning in 1702. He was minister of Stevenston Church until his death in 1742. Does anyone have any suggestions as to where I could look for information? I am hoping someone might know of some church records I can access.
Thank you!
Kathy
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Was he minister of this church?
www.highkirk.com
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Hello Hanan,
I am not sure, all I know is that he was minister of Stevenston church. Do you know the history of High Kirk?
Thanks!
Kathy
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I don't know much about The High Kirk but i do know it is the parish Church and did exist as a church in 1700's.
There are a few other Churches in Stevenston, was he Church of Scotland?
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"High Kirk in its prominent position above the Stevenston Burn was dedicated in 1833. It replaced a church which was built in 1670. That building, which had replaced a still earlier one, was found to be too small for the growing congregation in spite of the addition of an aisle in 1744."
taken from http://www.threetowners.com/Stevenston/stevenston_town_trail.htm
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The Church of 1670
A new church was erected on the site of the previous church in about 1670 and in 1744 Saltcoats parishioners added the Saltcoats Aisle. This church was often used by mariners trading in and out of Saltcoats, and the centre of the three lofts was called the Sailors� loft, the others being the Ardeer and Kerelaw lofts. This loft had a strict order of naval precedence, the front row reserved for captains, the second for mates and the remainder for sailors, while the Harbourmaster was the custodian of the door. Other seats belonged to certain notable families living in the houses of Kerelaw, Ardeer, Seabank, Mayville, Hullerhurst and Hayocks. This church was taken down in 1832.
From: http://www.2day.ws/Stevenston/section/FunCorner/
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Found a link to email the High Kirk http://www.findachurch.co.uk/search/church_view.php?church_id=12398
alternatively contact the Church of Scotland themselves: www.churchofscotland.org.uk
Good luck :)
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Hello Hanan,
Thank you so much for getting back to me. I clicked on the 2day website you gve me, and found my ggggggrandfather's name there. So he was Church of Scotland, and was minister of Stevenston High Kirk. it is so nice to have that confirmed.
Now if I could only find out where he was born, and who his parents were!
Thank you again, you have been a great help!
Kathy
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Hi Kathy,
So glad you found what you were looking for. ;D
Did he die while still minister at the High Kirk? I know they have some tombs under the Church, perhaps he is buried there? As they are underneath the Church I'm not sure if these are listed on any websites.
If you think he might be there try contacting the current minister and maybe he can send you a photo?
Try some of the links from this website, you might find some useful stuff: http://www.happyhaggis.co.uk/ayrshire.htm
Hanan
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Hello Hanan,
Nice to hear from you! Yes, to the best of my knowledge he died while he was still the minister. I contacted the present minister, but he was unable to supply any information. I am kind of stuck right now, I would really like to research William's parents, but I don't know where he was born. One person told me he may not have been born in Stevenston, he just was assigned that parish when he was ordained. There are several William Reids born in the right time frame on Scotland's People, but it is difficult to know which one would be my ancestor, as none were born in Stevenston. There is one in Kilwinning, but I have no idea if that is he or not. It seems the most likely, as his wife was from there, but who knows?
I found a reference to him on ancestry.com, but the information ends with his date of birth, marriage and death. I think the person who was researching him ran into the same brick wall that I have.
I was in contact with someone from National Archives who gave me some leads, but they are not online. So, on my next trip to Scotland I am going to Edinburgh to do some research there. I will also go to the Church of Scotland archives, which is probably my best bet, unfortunately they are not online either. I will be there in October, and am really looking forward to it. I love Edinburgh.
Thanks so much for the Happy Haggis address, I will definitley be exploring it!
All the best,
Kathy
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Hi Kathy,
Glad to be of help. I have been doing a lot of research for in the Ayrshire area so I have made a lot of use of some of the websites in Happy Haggis, I'm sure you will find something of use.
Sorry to hear the local minister wasn't able to help. I would think the Church of Scotland should have some papers on your grandfather to help you find his parents.
I would also recommend contacting North Ayrshire Council Family History Centre based in Irvine - email localhistory[at]north-ayrshire.gov.uk (replace [at] with@) I've found the girls at Family History quite helpful. Perhaps they would be able to point you in the right direction.
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Hi Hanan,
Thanks for getting in touch again. I have sent an email to the address you provided, maybe they can steer me in the right direction.
I looked at Parish and Probate Records on ancestry.com, but they weren't too helpful. I am going to explore Happy Haggis tonight, hopefully I can find a clue there. If not, I am optimistic a search of the archives of the Church of Scotland can help. I will have to wait until my next trip to Scotland in October, though.
Thanks again!
All the best,
Kathy
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If you have access to a good reference library they may have or be able to get hold of "Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae" volume for Ayrshire (I think it's Volume 3) which lists details of all ministers from the Reformation onwards. Often their family details are also supplied.
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Hope this is helpful...
REV WILLIAM REID - MINISTER OF STEVENSTON HIGH KIRK - 1700
Called to the Ministry on the 10th April 1700; and ordained soon afterwards. He died on the 26th November 1742. He married his beloved wife Sarah on the 23rd of October 1702 (and who died 1735). She was daughter of Thomas Bogle of Bogleshole. Children: Alexander; Mary; William; Anna; Thomas (a merchant in Saltcoats); John of Seabank (married Anna, daughter of Robert Cunnigham of Auchenharvie); Alexander; Robert (apprentice to a W.S in 1734) - [Tombst]
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Try Ecclegen https://ecclegen.com/general-index-introduction/