Please also visit the page of general information applicable to all of Angus & Kincardineshire.
Abbreviations
| NLS | National Library of Scotland |
|---|---|
| NRS | National Records of Scotland, formerly called the National Archives of Scotland [NAS] and, before that, the Scottish Record Office [SRO] HM General Register House, Edinburgh EH1 3YY (Tel: +44-131-535-1314) |
| OPR | Old Parish Registers of Births/baptisms, Banns/marriages & Deaths/burials (pre-1855) |
- See also, for history of the parish:
- The Statistical accounts of Maryculter
- General histories listed on the page for Books about Angus & Kincardineshire
John Alexander Henderson - Annals of Lower Deeside: being a Topographical, Proprietary, Ecclesiastical, and Antiquarian History of Durris, Drumoak and Culter (Aberdeen: D.Wyllie & Son, 1892) - 'Culter' means Peterculter ABD and Maryculter KCD - here
Statistical accounts of Maryculter
- Old Statistical Account of the 1790s - vol. 6, p. 80
- New Statistical Account of the 1840s - vol. 11, p. 189
- 1:25000 Ordnance Survey map - published 1957
- 1:10560 (Six inch) Ordnance Survey map - surveyed 1865, published 1868
For the full range of maps of Maryculter, see National Library's Maps.
See Geograph.org: Maryculter - recent photographs of Maryculter. National Grid ref. NO8599.
Located at National Grid ref. NO857992, at Kirkton of Maryculter. Built in 1787.
Above: the parish kirk
See further photographs of the kirk, including interior views, at Maryculter Parish Church and at Maryculter Churchyard
Above: a cracked bell dated 1787 beside the kirk
Other churches
The ruined Maryculter Free Kirk (later, United Free Kirk), between Westside and Stranog, at NO857968 has recently [2014] been converted into a private house.
adm.: admitted, ass.: assistant, bapt.: baptised, contr.: contract, dem.: demitted, dep.: deposed, ind.: inducted, lic.: licensed, mar.: married, min.: minister, ord.: ordained, pres.: presented, rel.: related, res.: resigned, suc.: successor, test.: testament, tr.: translated
| Alexander Robertson | 1574-1580 | reader |
| William Carmichael | 1578 | min. of Nigg; also held this charge 1578 |
| John Milne | 1585 | reader & vicar 1585; offered the charge 1602 and 1609 but did not accept; dem. |
| Andrew Milne | ca. 1614-1639 | M.A. Marischal 1610; adm. ca. 1614; d. bef. 20 Dec 1639; mar. Marjory, dau. and heiress of David Menzies of Kirkton of Banchory-Devenick; issue: James |
| Alexander Leask of that ilk | 1640-1674 | son of Wm L. of that ilk; tutor to fam. of sir Thos Burnett of Leys; adm. 1640; d. Jul x Sep 1674; mar. Anna Cuming; issue: John; Wm; Alexr, min. of Turriff; Gilbert |
| James Garden | 1675-1676 | M.A.; tr. from New Machar; inst. May x Jun 1675; tr. to Balmerino 1676 |
| John Lumsden | 1678-1679 | pres. Jun 1678; licence revoked but restored 22 Apr 1679 |
| George White | 1679-1718 | M.A. Marischal 1657; pres. 2nd charge Ayr 11 Dec 1664; bought patronage here and pres. himself; adm. bef. 11 Nov 1679; dep. Dec 1718; intruded here and Newhills; d. 1724; mar. Marion, dau. of Wm Cockburn, min. of Kirkmichael AYR; issue: Geo., James, Alexr, Agnes, Cath. |
| William Abercrombie | 1719-1721 | ord. 28 May 1719; tr. to Skene 6 Dec 1721 |
| Archibald Napier | 1722-1761 | M.A. Glasgow 1707; ord. Bourtie 17 Aug 1720; tr. & adm. 28 Nov 1722; d. 4 Nov 1761 aged ca. 74; mar. 1720 Jean White who d. 1769; issue: Alexr, M.A.; Archd, M.A., M.D.; Mary (mar. James Smith, min. of Garvock); David; John; Jean (mar. Adam Morison) |
| John Glennie | 1763-1801 | b. 1720 Maryculter; M.A. Marischal 1738; ord. Drumoak 10 Jan 1750; tr. & adm. 23 Jun 1763; D.D. Kings Aberdeen 1782; d. 14 Dec 1801; mar. 1754 Jean, dau. of Arthur Mitchell, min. of Skene; issue: John; Arthur; Alexr; Gavin, merchant, London; Wm, M.A., LL.D.; James, merchant, London; John, min. of Dunnottar; Geo., min. of West Church Aberdeen and prof. of Moral Philosophy, Aberdeen; Mary (mar. James Thomson, Aberdeen) |
| William Paul | 1802-1811 | b. 1770, son of Wm P., Old Aberdeen; M.A. Kings Aberdeen 1788; ord. 7 May 1802; dem. 17 Oct 1811 on appt as prof. of Natural Philosophy, King's Aberdeen; d. 3 Mar 1834; mar. 1802 Isabel, dau. of John Hucheon, min. of Fetteresso; issue: Mary (mar. James Edmond, advocate in Aberdeen); Wm, D.D., min. of Banchory-Devenick; Cath. Forbes; Robt; Isobel; David Hucheon; John |
| John Bower | 1812-1866 | b. 1786, son of John B., teacher, Aberdeen; M.A. Marischal 1803; ord. 7 May 1812; d. 18 Dec 1866; mar. 1813 Sara Christina, only dau. of Alexr Wilson, min. of Campvere; issue: Agnes (mar. John Dallas) |
| Charles Nairn Barker Melville | 1867-1875 | b. 1835 Kirkcaldy, son of Chas M.; missionary W. Wemyss 1860-7; ord. 15 Aug 1867; d. 25 Dec 1875 Liverpool; mar. 1860 Jessie, dau. of Alexr Williamson; issue: Chas James, banker; Jane (mar. Thomas Elliot Simpson Clarke, D.D., min. of Saltoun); Agnes Margaret (mar. John Linton Dinwiddie, min. of Ruthwell); Alexr Kennedy, M.D., F.R.C.S.E. |
| George Duncan | 1876-1899 | b. 1850, son of Robt D., farmer; ass. West Church Aberdeen; ord. 1 May 1876; d. 24 Jul 1899; mar. 1877 Margaret Laurence, dau. of Wm Leask, shipmaster, Aberdeen; issue: Wm Leask; Mary Gertrude Napier |
| Charles McGlashan | 1900-1917 | b. 1867 Strowan PER, son of Alexr McG; ass. Larbert and West parish Aberdeen; ord. 9 Jan 1900; tr. to 2nd charge St Machar's 12 Jan 1917; tr. to Strichen 15 May 1925; d. 29 Jun 1932; mar. 1902 Ellen Barclay, yst dau. of Francis Love |
| Andrew Tweedie | 1917-1936 | b. 1873 Swinton, son of Geo. T., schoolmaster; M.A. 1893 B.D. 1899 Edinburgh; ass. Selkirk and Newington Edinburgh; ord. Strachan 15 Feb 1907; tr. & adm. 13 Jun 1917; dem. 3 Nov. 1936; d. 4 Oct 1938; mar. 1907 Christine, dau. of Ewen Campbell |
| William Lees | 1937-1951 | |
| Marcus W. Scott Ross | 1952-1964 |
Ministers of the Free Kirk, Maryculter
| George Ogilvie | 1843-1850 | b. 1817 (possibly: Dundee, son of James O., writer); ord. 1844 Maryculter; d. 6 Jul 1850 Dundee |
| William Selbie | 1853-1895 | b. 10/11 Nov 1823 Maryculter, son of John S., land steward; teacher of English, Aberdeen; ord. 13 Oct 1853; d. 4 Dec 1895 Maryculter; mar. 1850 Helen Philip; issue: Wm; Barbara H.; John Alexr, minr of Birsay Free Kirk, Orkney; Eliz. P.; Mary Anne; Horace M.; Margaret |
Monuments in Maryculter New Kirkyard (ca. 30 stones) and at Templars' Park (Maryculter Old Kirkyard) (ca. 100 stones) bearing pre-1855 information are listed in Alison Mitchell (ed.), "Pre-1855 Monumental Inscriptions in Kincardineshire" (Edinburgh: Scottish Genealogy Soc., 1999), which can be bought from the Scottish Genealogy Society. (It's listed as "Kincardineshire MI - The Mearns" in their online shop.)
Andrew Jervise recorded some monuments at Maryculter in his "Epitaphs & Inscriptions", vol. 2, pp. 118-25.
See also Maryculter Churchyard and Templars Park Churchyard.
The following two inscriptions are on plaques on the wall of Maryculter Kirk:
Erected by the Free Church congregation and other inhabitants, of the parish of Maryculter in memory of the Revd GEORGE OGILVIE, as an expression of their cordial love and gratitude to him who laboured unceasingly, to promote their spiritual interests and to extend among them, the kingdom of the blessed saviour. He died at Dundee 6th July 1850, in the thirty third year of his age, and seventh of his ministry.
In memory of the Revd Wm SELBIE for 42 years minister of Maryculter Free Church. Born 11. Nov. 1823, ordained 13. Oct. 1853, died 4. Dec. 1895. His congregation, other inhabitants of the parish, and friends elsewhere have united in erecting this tablet in token of the esteem and affection with which he was regarded by the whole community, as a preacher, a pastor and a friend. Rev. XIV.13.
Maryculter war memorial
In the new kirkyard
|
1914-1919
William Rae William Weir William Silver James Henderson Alexander Booth Alexander Catto Edwin Middleton Norman McDonald |
John W. Ross Charles Lovie George Silver Francis K. Smith William Barclay Alexander Stephen Robert Middleton William Falconer |
|
1939-1945
Alexander Anderson John G. Boddy A.M. Bruce Emslie Tom D. McGill |
See also Scottish War Memorials Project: Maryculter
Births, Marriages & Deaths, 1855 to present
Indexes and actual records for Statutory Registers of Births, Marriages & Deaths, beginning 1 Jan 1855, are available online, following registration and the purchase of credits, at the official web-site, ScotlandsPeople.
Burial records for Maryculter are held by the Registrar in Banchory. See Kincardine and Mearns Burial Grounds.
-
Additionally, in the National Records:
- 1853 - 1895 for Maryculter Free Church (later, Maryculter Altries Church of Scotland) [NRS CH3/225/10]
- 1853 - 1895 for Maryculter Free Church (later, Maryculter Altries Ch. of S.) - scroll version of the above [NRS CH3/225/12]
- 1896 - 1935 for Maryculter Free Church (later, Maryculter Altries Ch. of S.) [NRS CH3/225/11]
-
Additionally, in the National Records:
- 1854 - 1895 for Maryculter Free Church (later, Altrie Church of Scotland) [NRS CH3/225/12]
Births, Marriages & Deaths, before 1855
Indexes and actual records for all extant Old Parish Registers (OPRs) (pre-1855) of the Established Church of Scotland are available online, following registration and the purchase of credits, at the official web-site, ScotlandsPeople.
Maryculter Church of Scotland Parish Registers 1696-1855 have been published on CD by the Aberdeen & North-East Scotland FHS. Their list of publications is here.
-
- 1696 - 1854
Additionally, in the National Records:
- 1853 - 1854 for Maryculter Free Church (later, Maryculter Altries Church of Scotland) [NRS CH3/225/10]
- 1853 - 1854 for Maryculter Free Church (later, Maryculter Altries Ch. of S.) - scroll version of the above [NRS CH3/225/12]
-
- 1783 - 1819
- 1822 - 1854
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- 1783 - 1854
Church Session Records of Maryculter Parish Church
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH2/498/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1719-1760 | 1 |
| do | 1760-1812 | 2 |
| do | 1811-1832 | 3 |
| do | 1832-1848 | 4 |
| List of members | 1834-1841 | 4 |
| Session register | 1880 | 4 |
| Minutes | 1848-1907 | 5 |
| Cash book | 1825-1881 | 6 |
Church Session Records of Maryculter Free Kirk
later United Free; Maryculter Altries Ch. of S.; congegation dissolved in 1935
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. CH3/225/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1844-1856 | 1 |
| do | 1857-1872 | 2 |
| do | 1872-1902 | 3 |
| do | 1902-1936 | 4 |
| Deacons' Court minutes | 1844-1856 | 5 |
| do | 1856-1881 | 6 |
| do | 1881-1928 | 7 |
| do | 1928-1936 | 8 |
| Account book | 1898-1935 | 9 |
| Baptisms | 1853-1895 | 10 |
| do | 1896-1935 | 11 |
| Marriages | 1854-1935 | 12 |
| Baptisms - scroll version of vol. 10 | 1853-1895 | 12 |
| Communion roll | 1874-1907 | 13 |
| do | 1926-1935 | 14 |
| Nature of record | Dates | NRS ref. HR218/... |
|---|---|---|
| Minutes | 1859-1927 | 1 |
| Minute Book | 1861-1894 | 2 |
| do | 1895-1927 | 3 |
| Accounts | 1866-1927 | 4 |
| Papers re ecclesiastical buildings, etc. (church, manse, school) | 1815-1900 | 5 |
| Papers re transference of property to Church of Scotland General Trustees | 1926-1929 | 6 |
| Correspondence | 1861-1928 | 7 |
There were 7 heritors of the parish in 1833, including:
- Gordon of Fyvie & Maryculter - more than half the parish
- Boswell of Balmuto & Kingcausie
- Duguid of Auchlunies
- Garioch of Heathcote
- R.C. Church - Blairs (previously, Menzies of Pitfoddels)
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives hold:
Papers of Menzies of Pitfodels, relating to Maryculter and Blairs, 1783-1826 - ref. DD8/A/5
Following records are held by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives:
| Nature of record | Dates | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Maryculter Parochial Board: Minute Book | 1856 - 1877 | AS/KPmyc/1 |
| Maryculter Parochial Board / Parish Council: Minute Book | 1878 - 1896 | AS/KPmyc/2 |
| Maryculter Parish Council: Minute Book | 1929 - 1930 | AS/KPmyc/3 |
| Maryculter Parish Council: General Register of the Poor | 1917 - 1929 | AS/KPmyc/4 |
| Maryculter Parish Council: Applications for Poor Relief | 1904 - 1930 | AS/KPmyc/5 |
| Maryculter Parish Council: Register of Guardians | 1919 - 1929 | AS/KPmyc/6 |
The following records are some of those held by Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Archives:
| Nature of record | Dates | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| Maryculter School Board: Census Book (Children) | 1888 - 1897 | AS/KSmyc/11 |
| do | 1900 - 1906 | AS/KSmyc/12 |
Records of the official censuses of the parish in 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911 and 1921 are held in Register House, Edinburgh and are open to the public on payment of a fee.
Indexes to all the original census records, and the records themselves, can be accessed online at modest charge at ScotlandsPeople.
Microfilm copies are also widely available in libraries. The 1881 census is available on CD-ROM.
The early censuses of 1801-31 do not name individuals.
| Year | male | female | total | ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1755 | 746 | Dr Alexander Webster | ||
| 1790 | 280 | 350 | 630 | Old Statistical Account |
| 1801 | ||||
| 1811 | 700 | |||
| 1821 | 425 | 435 | 860 | |
| 1831 | 960 | |||
| 1841 | ||||
| 1851 | ||||
| 1871 | 581 | 529 | 1110 | |
| 1881 | 559 | 513 | 1072 |
After change of parish boundary:
| 1891 | 558 | 472 | 1030 |
| 1901 | 537 | 414 | 951 |
| 1911 | 469 | 392 | 861 |
| 1921 | 524 | 426 | 950 |
Maryculter was in the Commissariot of Aberdeen [NRS CC1].
Indexes to all extant pre-1926 testamentary records (wills & inventories of moveable property) can be searched free of charge at ScotlandsPeople. Digital (and paper) copies of the documents can be purchased at that site. See further the introduction to Angus & Kincardineshire at Testaments.
Testaments of Maryculter people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Aberdeen, 1715-1800
| Robert Duncan | in Swelend, parish of Maryculter | 23 Dec 1746 |
| John Gordon | late in Whitehouse of Maryculter | 13 Jul 1792 |
| Mr Archibald Napier | late minister at Maryculter | 24 Jun 1762 |
| William Snawie | servant to Mr John Glenny, minister at Maryculter | 3 Jun 1768 |
Testaments of Maryculter people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Brechin, 1576-1800
| Isobel Williamson | spouse to William Duncan, in Standing Stones, par. of Marycoulter | 7 Jan 1657 |
Testaments of Maryculter people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of St Andrews, 1549-1800, that have been lost, for which only entries in the minute books are extant.
| Mr Thomas Keith | in Avester Tilburnies, par. of Maryculter | 26 Aug 1762 |
Images of the original records for Maryculter:
Images of the original records for Maryculter: