Thanks Irene, Gordon and Jenny. You're exactly right and I could kick myself for assuming all records were available from OPR. I see now that it's only Church of Scotland that are available. Now my question is: how do I access non-CofS church records? Are there any available online or must they be searched in person at the churches? Will I need to hire a researcher? Sorry to be asking newbie questions, but I'm new to Scotland research (have been slogging my way through Ireland -- and I'm sure you realize what an impossible task that is!) and got quite giddy when I saw just how many records ARE available in Scotland. Any guidance/insight will be most appreciated. Regards, Julie

Hi Julie, Some things aren't available at all, alas - some records can be accessed via NAS (now NRS - in person, not online) but there's not much available for 'associate sessions' at this time - I see there's some material from Forfar but starting only at 1788. Worthwhile seeing what's there before you hire anybody. It's useful to look at the first statistical account for each of the parishes as it may say how many seceders there were in the 1790s. A little later than your time, I know, but useful. For instance, for Kinnettles: "The number of families attending the Established church is 102; the number of persons of all ages attending the Established church, 530; the number attending the chapels of Dissenters and Seceders, 2 ; of Episcopalians, 16. Divine service at the Established church is generally well attended. The average number of communicants at the Established church, 240. The average amount of church collections yearly, for religious and charitable objects, £22: 7s. 3d." Whereas Forfar, with a considerably larger population, also had more dissenters: "Examinable persons in communion with the established church, at Whitsunday 1790, about 3,213 Annual number of communicants,- - - - - - - - about 1,800 Examinable persons of the Episcopal persuasion, about 240 Examinable persons of the Secession, - - - - - -about 150" These extracts are taken from the webpages at http://www.monikie.org.uk/statisticalaccounts-index.htm, which has a few of the accounts online and plans for more. (I see the webmaster is looking for help with transcription...) All the first and second statistical accounts are online at http://edina.ac.uk/statacc/ (click 'browse scanned pages') but it's easier to copy/paste from html pages such as the Monikie link. They give you a sense, too, of the growth of weaving and changes in its organisation. In general, in the small rural parishes such as Kinnettles, if OPR records are extant most people are in them, except in areas with a lot of seceders (try Galloway, ouch!). In towns more people may be members of seceder churches. And in cities like Dundee, by the end of the 18th century a considerable number of births/baptisms may not have been recorded anywhere, and there are also many more secession churches, so finding people in the late 18th century can get pretty silly. The secessions get underway in the 1730s and pick up speed as they go. Somewhere I've a volume that lists the various churches in Dundee around 1776. So for you, trying things like the weavers' and tailors' records, where they exist, may help. All best, Jenny On 19/07/2011 13:56, Julie Parks wrote: > > Now my question is: how do I access non-CofS church records? Are there any available online or must they be searched in person at the churches? Will I need to hire a researcher?