East Ayrshire Council: Heritage - Family History Library Resources

The I.G.I. is an index to pre-1900 (approx.) birth, christening and marriage records, mainly from the Old Parish Registers - see entry below - and other statutory registers.

It is arranged by shires e.g. Ayrshire, then alphabetically by name, then by the date of the event.

Each entry indicates type of event (i.e. B = birth, C = christening, and M = marriage), and the place of the event. For births and christenings the parents' names are given, for marriage the spouse's name is listed.

The I.G.I. for Scotland lists over 5,000,000 entries, unfortunately it contains no death or burial information.

Ireland: The Irish I.G.I. is an alphabetical sequence covering Eire and Northern Ireland and also lists the same entries in separate county files. The coverage and entries follow the same pattern as the Scottish I.G.I.

You can search the IGI website www.familysearch.org by going to "search the ancestors" then choosing the International Genealogical Index option on the left hand side.You can then put in the details of the person you seek and ask the Website to search either "all entries" or births, marriages or deaths (note information on deaths is extremely sparse). You must then specify a location e.g. British Isles, then Scotland, then a particular county (or search "all counties"). You can also specify a year and search within a time scale either side of that year.
Research Tip - To find a list of children born to particular parents - leave the boxes on the left empty and enter the parents' names where shown on the extreme right hand boxes, set the search to births/christenings and location to British Isles - Scotland - then a particular county (or search "all counties"). Note that the Internet IGI does seem to have some gaps, therefore, it may be worth checking the IGI or OPR Index at the Baird or Dick Institutes if no entry is found.

The OPR are those compiled by the Church of Scotland before official civil registration began in 1855. Generally they contain births and/or christenings, marriages, deaths and/or burials from the 1640's to 1855, and the entries are arranged chronologically within parishes.
Rersearch Tip: The recording of births, marriages and deaths was not compulsory and often entries were poorly recorded or subsequently lost. The entries in the OPR relate to the established Church - i.e. to the Church of Scotland. If your ancestors were members of dissenting Churches, the events may be recorded elsewhere. The National Archives of Scotland hold some Ayrshire Kirk Session and other Records for the Church of Scotland, Secession and Independent Churches, and the Roman Catholic Church. The Ayrshire Archive Centre also hold some Ayrshire Kirk Session records.

Obviously, each parish has a different coverage, therefore, we welcome enquiries regarding the exact dates and/or events covered within a particular parish.

The INDEX TO THE OPR lists births/christenings and marriages in two separate files. The index usually indicates the exact frame number for the entry sought allowing speedy access to the full details contained in the OPR
Research Tip - As the OPR Index uses exact spellings of surnames and the IGI tends to collect all possible spellings together - researchers are advised to check the IGI if no entry is found in the OPR Index.

BI holds all Ayrshire Parishes 1851, 1861 and 1891 and selected parishes for 1841, 1871 and 1881 (note that at October 2002 the BI does not hold the 1901 Census)
DI holds all Ayrshire Parishes 1841-1901 (except Auchinleck 1841).

We hold the census for all years currently available i.e. 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901.

The census consists of details of all the occupants of households on a particular night in the census year. The appropriate census date for each year is as follows:-

1841 7th June 1841
1851 31st March 1851
1861 8th April 1861
1871 3rd April 1871
1881 4th April 1881
1891 5th April 1891
1901 31st March 1901

Each census is different - with less information in the 1841 census - but generally the information includes name, relationship to head of household, age, occupation, marital status, and birthplace for each member of the household. We welcome telephone enquiries regarding the exact parish coverage of the census material held at the Baird Institute. Unfortunately the census is not arranged in any particular order, therefore, if you are able to obtain relevant certificates these can help to narrow or pinpoint the search as they normally include addresses. This is especially important for the years 1841, 1871, and 1901, as we have no indexes for these years at present (October 2002).

Please note that adult ages in early census years may have been rounded up or down (to nearest 5)

B) 1851 AYRSHIRE CENSUS INDEX (Database)

The Database Index to the 1851 Ayrshire Census was listed by volunteers and co-ordinated by the Glasgow and West of Scotland Family History Society. The database provides speedy access to brief details of everyone living in Ayrshire in 1851. The database gives names and ages, then information on parishes, book, page and line numbers allowing the full entry details to be found quickly on the Census films. The database allows the researcher to search using information on an individual's likely age at the time of the census and can also display the family group and/or neighbours to allow for a more positive identification of an individual or family, especially those with common surnames.

The Index to the 1861 Ayrshire Census was listed by volunteers and co-ordinated by the East Ayrshire Family History Society. The Index provides speedy access to brief details of everyone living in Ayrshire in 1861. The microfiche version is separated into East, North and South Ayrshire. It lists individuals alphabetically giving names, ages and birthplaces, then information on parishes, book, page and line numbers allowing the full entry details to be found quickly on the Census films.
The database version allows the researcher to search using information on an individual's likely age at the time of the census and can also display the family group and/or neighbours to allow for a more positive identification of an individual or family, especially those with common surnames.

This Index lists everyone in England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and the Royal Navy from the 1881 Census and was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The CD-ROMs include information on people on boats or ships (in port) or who were living in poorhouses, mental institutions, workhouses, schools, hospitals etc. Note - The CD-ROMs do not include Ireland as the 1881 Census for Ireland has not survived until the present day.
The National Index can be searched for named individuals and can then be limited by date of birth, county of birth and/or the likely Census county and/or place - a link is then made to the appropriate Regional Index.

The Regional Indexes - the Lowland counties of Scotland are on one CD-ROM - can be searched for a named individual. To narrow the search a year of birth, place of birth and/or census place (either county or town) can be added to the search criteria. Information is displayed as it would appear in the Census, giving names, relationships, occupations and places of birth. A search can also be made of the occupants of surrounding houses - in fact the whole Parish can be searched by scrolling through the data. A New Resource File Viewer (as of October 2002) now allows searches under Neighbours - advanced search allowing any word to be entered as a search term - thus allowing searches on particular addresses, occupations etc.

The Index to the 1891 Ayrshire Census provides speedy access to brief details of everyone living in Ayrshire in 1891. The index gives information on names and ages, then parishes, book and page numbers allowing the full entry details to be found quickly on the census films.

The Old Parish Registers are those compiled by the Church of Scotland before official civil registration began in 1855.
Generally they contain births and/or christenings, marriages, deaths and/or burials from the 1600's to 1855, and the entries are arranged chronologically within parishes.
Recording births, marriages and deaths was not compulsory and often entries were poorly recorded.
Full Ayrshire OPR's are held by the Dick Institute while the Baird holds them for selected parishes. We welcome telephone inquiries regarding the exact parish coverage held at the Baird Institute.
Obviously, each parish has a different coverage, therefore, we welcome inquiries regarding the exact dates covered within a particular parish.
If you would like a detailed list of the coverage of each parish we can supply a copy free of charge.

The INDEX TO THE O.P.R. lists births/christenings and marriages in two separate files. The index usually indicates the exact frame number for the entry sought allowing speedy access to the full details contained in the O.P.R.

Due to the high level of demand the Dick Institute operates a booking system for microform readers. You are advised to book book in advance.

Ayr Advertiser
1834/97, 1899/1939, 1941/45, 1950/63, 1965/7, 1969/71 are held at the Baird Institute. Some are on microfilm but most are bound volumes.

CUMNOCK CHRONICLE
1901 to date, are held at the Baird Institute. Most are on microfilm but some bound volumes are also available.

IRVINE VALLEY NEWS
1955/1966. Held at the Dick Institute. Bound volumes only. (see also Weekly Supplement and Advertiser)

KILMARNOCK HERALD and AYRSHIRE GAZETTE
1882/1955. Held at the Dick Institute. Microfilm only.

KILMARNOCK HERALD and WEST COUNTRY ADVERTISER
1845/48. Held at the Dick Institute. Microfilm only.

KILMARNOCK STANDARD
1863 to date. Held at the Dick Institute. Microfilm and some bound volumes. Most bound volumes are fragile.

WEEKLY SUPPLEMENT and ADVERTISER for GALSTON...
1880/4, 1886/1923. Held at the Dick Institute. Bound volumes only - some very fragile. (see also Irvine Valley News).

These local newspapers are of use if you wish to confirm intimations or check for obituaries. They can also be useful for general background or historical information.

There are indexes to the articles in the early years of the Weekly Supplement and Advertiser and Kilmarnock Standard - unfortunately the indexes are of limited use as they are not complete or up-to-date.

The Dick Institute staff have begun the task of producing indexes of the intimations from the local newspapers, beginning with the Kilmarnock Chronicle and Kilmarnock Journal which both precede official registration.

a. All the pre-1918 gravestone inscriptions in the Cumnock Area have been transcribed and every surname indexed by the plot/lair number. A map of each cemetery is held showing the location of the plot/lair to help locate the individual gravestones.

Churchyards

Cemeteries

Auchinleck

Catrine

Cumnock Old

Dalrymple

Cumnock New

Mauchline

Dalmellington New

Muirkirk

Dalmellington Old

Stair

Mauchline New

Muirkirk New

New Cumnock New

New Cumnock Old

Ochiltree

Patna

Sorn

b. Pre-1855 gravestone inscriptions in Kilmarnock and Loudoun District (Beattie, A.G. & M.H.)

This work contains information after 1855 providing an internment before 1855 is included on the gravestone.

Cemeteries	Churchyards
Darvel Old	Dunlop
Fenwick	Fenwick
Galston	Galston
Kilmarnock	Kilmarnock High Kirk
Newmilns	Kilmarnock Laigh Kirk
Riccarton Kaimshill	Kilmarnock St. Andrews
Stewarton	Kilmaurs
	Old Loudoun Kirk
	Newmilns
	Riccarton
	Stewarton

c. A complete list of all gravestones situated within the burial grounds of the Laigh Kirk, Stewarton (Now known as St. Columba's Church) compiled by Archibald Chalmers.

Both locations also hold other gravestone information for parishes out with East Ayrshire - please contact Anne Geddes at the Baird Institute if you wish information regarding a particular parish.

Researchers should note that not all families erected headstones - and not all of the early stones have escaped the ravages of the weather and/or vandals.

Both the Baird Institute and the Dick Institute hold some general trade information for Ayrshire.

Kilmarnock Directories 1833-1957 are held at the Dick Institute. The directories were issued periodically between 1833 and 1957.

They include surrounding parishes from 1868 onwards. Most years include alphabetical lists of names, a rural directory, a street directory, and a trades directory together with lists of clubs, churches, councillors, and a history of the town.

Ayr Directories 1864-1956 and Cumnock Registers 1882-1892 are held at the Baird Institute

Archive material is available which relates to specific communities within East Ayrshire and includes minute books of various local government committees and some private records.

The most useful material for genealogy research are Poor Relief Registers. Poor relief registers are held for the parishes of Ardrossan, Beith, Dalry, Dreghorn, Irvine, Kilbirnie, Kilmarnock, Kilwinning, Kirkmichael, Kirkoswald, Largs, Mauchline (includes Catrine and Sorn), Muirkirk, New Cumnock, Stevenson, Straiton, and West Kilbride.

Indexes are currently being prepared for the New Cumnock Poor Relief Registers 1855-1900 to allow searches under surname, place of birth, residence, occupation etc.

The Baird Institute holds a large collection of local photographs and postcards. These include views, local streets, transport, sport, mansions & castles, industry, gala days, mining etc.

This set of CD-ROMs contains the complete 1880 United States Census plus a National Index and was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The Census information is shown by household or institution for approx. 50 million individuals.
The National Index (on 20 discs) can be searched for named individuals and can then be limited by date of birth, country of birth and/or the likely Census location by State and/or place. The National Index will provide a direct link from the named individuals found in the search to the Regional Indexes (on 35 discs). The Regional Indexes display the information as it would appear in the Census, giving names, relationships, occupations and places of birth. A search can also be made of the occupants of surrounding houses - in fact the whole State can be searched by scrolling through the data. It is also possible using Neighbours - advanced search to use any word as a search term - thus allowing searches on particular addresses, occupations etc.

This set of 3 CD-ROMs contains the complete 1881 Canadian Census. The census was taken on the 4th April 1881 and the information is shown by household or institution for over 4 million individuals.
The CD-ROMs display the information as it would appear in the Census, giving name, age, gender, census location, occupation, birthplace, ethnic origin, marital status, religion etc. A search can also be made of the occupants of surrounding houses - in fact the whole province can be searched by scrolling through the data. It is also possible using Neighbours - advanced search to use any word as a search term - thus allowing searches on particular addresses, occupations etc.

This set of 16 CD-ROM contains over 10 million birth/christening records, and nearly 2 million marriage records from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The civil and church records included in the Index are dated from 1530 to 1906. This collection does not contain all available records from this time period or from these localities.
The information given includes names of individuals, the names of parents or spouse and when available, the date and place where the birth/christening or marriage was registered. The parent search facility allows all the children of named parents to be grouped together.
Ayrshire records - The discs include 222, 864 birth/christening records and 13, 614 marriage records. The discs allow for a search to be made for all the children of a particular set of parents.

Register of New Zealand immigrants of Scottish birth arriving (in New Zealand) before 1st
January 1921 (microfiche) held at BI and DI
1820 Census of Irvine (microfiche) held at BI and DI
1851 Lanarkshire Census Index (excluding Glasgow) (microfiche) held at BI and DI
1861 Glasgow and Lanarkshire Census Index (microfiche) held at BI and DI. We also hold some
1861 census films for Glasgow and Lanarkshire at the BI (please contact us for details)
Research database 1970-2002 (approx.) held at the BI
Catrine marriages database 1875 to 1912 held at the BI
Sorn marriage database held at the BI
Birth Database including the Kilmarnock Mortality Register 1728-1763 held at the DI and BI
Muirkirk OPR deaths - index held at the BI

We are also working on other databases e.g. mid 19th century records (incl. Kilmarnock Poor Relief lists and voters and valuation rolls) and New Cumnock Poor Relief

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