Kirkcolm Church Yards

[mkb_gen20]

I have noticed in my research of the Blains in Kirkcolm, that there may be two cemeteries at Kirkcolm.  I have seen reference to the Old Parish Church Cemetery as well as the New Church Cemetery.  Are these one and the same or are they 2 distinct seperate areas.  My brother is traveling there this summer and I am doing some research for him before he leaves.  Thanks for any insite anyone can provide

Murray Blain

[ankerdine]

Hi Murray

I have researched in Ayrshire, Wigtownshire and Kirkcudbrightshire and often found two separate cemetaries, both old and new, in various towns. Sometimes they are adjacent to each other and at other times completely separate.

This is a question for Gadget. She is really helpful with this area of Scotland.

Hope someone will answer your query in full. It's the best I can do at present.

[Glen in Tinsel Kni]

Locating the "correct" church often depends on the timeframe you are looking at.

Many of the older church buildings were either replaced due to structural problems or just simply due to the fact they became too small for the congregation.

The assortment of church rganisations in Scotland at different times also means a church may change from/to Established church, Free Church, Presbyterian Church and their associated unified/non unified variants over a period of time.


Kirkcolm Church, the former parish church, was demolished in 1821. It was replaced in 1824 by another church, now known as Ervie-Kirkcolm Church. Site is also listed as Corsewall Graveyard in assorted publications.

By the 1880's there were two other churches in addition to the 1824 Parish Church;
There is also a Free church; and Douloch public

[mkb_gen20]

Thank you Ankerdine and Glen for you inputs.  As the time frame is in the 1860's, it is likely that the cemetery is associated with the Ervie-Kirkcolm Church.  If my brother has enough time, he will likely do a search here for any Blains or Patersons burried in this site.

Murray Blain

[JHenderson]

I have read the message with surnames Blain and Paterson, and wonder if there is a connection somewhere also to surnames Hardy, Knox, Brown, and/or Penman? My g-grandfather's name was William Blain Hardy. His father was Thomas Blain Hardy. William married Frances Penman Brown, whose parents were Frances Penman and John Brown. Frances Penman's parents were David Penman and Helen Paterson. Can anyone help me connect the Blain with my other surnames? Could the spelling of Blain as I've written be incorrect? All the boys/men mentioned were coalminers. I'm sure some of the women and girls were as well.

[mkb_gen20]

Hello JH.  In my research, I have not run across the names you mention other than Blain and Paterson. What I do know is that the Blains were mostly farmers going back to the early 1700's in Barr parish in Ayrshire.  I have not run across any coal miners identified as such.  The Paterson in my family tree was the daughter of a mason in Kirkcolm Pariish.  I know that her mother was a Carnigan prior to becoming a Paterson.  If I do run across any of the names you identified, I will post here to let you know.

Good Luck

Murray Blain