Forfar Parish and Royal Burgh, Angus: records for genealogists

Introduction

This page is for the parish and town of Forfar. The parishes of Forfar and Restenneth were united in the early 17th century.

For Forfar Archives see Angus Archives.

The Common Seal of the
Royal Burgh of Forfar

For general information on the whole county of Angus, sometimes referred to in the past as Forfar(shire) 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)

Books & articles

See also, for history of the parish:
- The Statistical accounts of Forfar
- General histories listed on the page for Books about Angus & Kincardineshire, in particular Warden, vol. 3, pp. 283-304.
- A family tree for the Carnegies of Lour.
David Thain Adam - The Royal Burgh of Forfar: a Review of the Administration of the Town's Affairs by Successive Town Councils between May, 1660 and December, 1965 (Forfar: Forfar Town Council, 1967)
Alexander Lowson - Portrait Gallery of Forfar Notables (Aberdeen: William Jolly, 1893) [from drawings by John Young]
Alan Reid - The Royal Burgh of Forfar: a Local History (Paisley: J.& R. Parlane, 1902)

Photo-books - old photographs of Forfar

Fiona Scharlau - Old Forfar (Catrine: Stenlake, 2001)

Statistical accounts of Forfar

Maps of Forfar

John Wood - Plan of the Town of Forfar from Actual Survey (Edinburgh, 1822).

The Reform Act plan of Forfar of 1832.

Town plan of Forfar in 1860-1.

1:25000 Ordnance Survey map - published 1957

1:10560 (Six inch) Ordnance Survey map - surveyed 1861, published 1865

For the full range of maps of Forfar in the National Library, see National Library's Maps.

Copies of the old Ordnance Survey plan of Forfar, dated 1901 & reduced from 25 inches to the mile to about 15 inches to the mile, can be bought from Alan Godfrey Maps. These are not coloured maps.

See also ScotlandsPlaces: Forfar.

Above: modern street map of Forfar (© OpenStreetMap contributors, CC-BY-SA)
Click on the map above to go to OpenStreetMap centred on Forfar

Photographs of places

Geograph.org: Forfar - recent photographs of Forfar

Aerial photos of Forfar & neighbourhood

Geograph.org: Restenneth - recent photographs of Restenneth

Geograph.org: Balmashanner Hill

Balmashanner Hill War Memorial

ScotlandsPlaces: Forfar - recent & old photographs of Forfar; also maps, plans & other records

Photographs of places and people

Angus Archives has a Photographic collection

Forfar parish church

Located at National Grid ref. NO456506. The mediaeval kirk was dedicated to St James and belonged to Jedburgh Abbey.

Other churches

Above: Lowson Memorial Church of Scotland

Further Photos of Lowson Memorial Church

Parish ministers 1560-1958

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

Robert Wood	1563	reader
David Lindsay of Pitairlie	1563-1573	min. 1563, and had charge of Restenneth and Aberlemno; tr. to Aberlemno bef. 1574
Ninian Clement	1574-1576	min. of St Vigeans 1564; tr. ca. 1574, and also had Restenneth, Kinnettles & Tannadice in his charge
James Rait	1576-1589	tr. from Lanark ca. 1576; tr. to Kinnettles ca. 1589
David Lindsay	1590-1597	M.A.; min. 1590, with Restenneth also in charge; adm. to 2nd charge St Andrews FIF 1597
Joshua Durie	1596-1603	M.A.; tr. from 2nd charge Montrose 1596; tr. to Logie Pert aft. 22 Mar 1603
Henry Fullarton	1607-1618	b. ca. 1566, son of David F., skipper, burgess of Dundee; M.A. St Andrews 1586; adm. 1607; d. bef. 17 Jun 1618; mar.; issue: Wm, min. of Rafford MOR
James Elliot	1618-1637	son of Andrew Elliot of Cuithley, burgess of Arbroath; M.A. St Andrews 1592; ord. to Oathlaw 1597; pres. 17 Jun 1618; D.D.; d. bef. 19 Jun 1637, aged ca. 65; mar. Eupham Lindsay, who survived him; issue: Andrew, min. of Inverkeilor; James, min. of Trinity College, Edinburgh; dau. (mar. James Ramsay, fiar of Ogil)
Thomas Pierson	1637-1656	b. ca. 1600, 2nd son of Thomas Pierson of Lochlands, bailie of Arbroath; M.A. St Andrews 1621; pres. 19 Jun 1637; d. Nov 1656; mar. Eliz., dau. of Robert Maule of Panmure; issue: only son, David, min. of Kilbarchan AYR, later St Brice's Kirkcaldy FIF
Alexander Robertson	1658-1662	M.A. Kinds Aberdeen 1653; adm. bef. 22 Aug 1658; dep. 11 Jun 1662
Thomas Small	1663-1687	b. ca. 1620, son of George Small of Foveran; M.A. St Andrews 1640; reader & schoolmaster Meigle PER; adm. (as ass. ?) to Lintrathen bef. 9 Aug 1650; tr. & adm. 28 Jan 1663; d. Apr 1687; mar. Susanna Ogilvie; issue: James, min. here
Francis Lyon	1687	said to be min. 1687
James Small of Quarrell-hill	1687-1716	b. ca. 1650, son of above Thos S.; M.A. St Andrews 1670; ord. to Cortachy bef. 5 Oct 1679; pres. 23 May 1687; driven out ca. 1716; d. aft. 17 Dec 1729; mar. (1) 1675 Margaret, 2nd dau. of Alexander Pierson of Balmadies; issue: Patk, Kath.; mar. (2) 1707 Christian Mitchellhill
Hugh Maxwell	1717-1744	M.A.; tr. from Tealing & adm. 21 Mar 1717; tr. to Strathmartine 27 Jun 1744
John Ker	1745-1781	b. ca. 1715 ROX; ord. to Kettins 1 Feb 1744; tr. & adm. 7 Mar 1745; D.D. & M.D. Kings Aberdeen 1761; d. 15 Dec 1781; mar. 1746 Agnes Burton
John Bruce	1782-1817	bapt. 24 Jul 1758 Pitsligo ABD, son of Andw B., min. of Brechin; M.A. Marischal 1776; tutor to Russell fam., Old Deer ABD; ass. here; ord. 24 Jul 1782; d. 19 Jan 1817; mar. 1785 Mary, dau. of David Fergusson, min. of Farnell; issue: Rebecca Mitchell; Janet; Andw; Mary; David; John, D.D., min. of St Andrew's Edinburgh; Margaret
William Clugston	1817-1843	b. 2 Jul 1793 Glasgow, eldest son of James C., tailor; M.A. Glasgow 1812; ord. 21 Aug 1817; joined Free Kirk 1843; min. of Forfar Free Kirk 1843-57; d. 3 Mar 1857; mar. 1818 Margaret, dau. of Geo. Gartly, muslin manuf.; issue: Margaret; James; Geo.; Wm; Janet; Alexr; Elspeth
Robert Stevenson	1843-1877	b. 7 Feb 1812 Campsie STI, 6th son of Wm S., farmer; M.A. Glasgow 1831; ord. (ass. & suc.) to Airdrie East LKS 2 Jun 1837; tr. & adm. 14 Sep 1843; d. 21 Mar 1877; mar. (1) 1844 Marion, yst dau. of David Scott, farmer, Northfield, Duddingston MLN; mar. (2) 1868 Agnes, dau. of Andw Barron, Halkerton; issue: Wm Barron, D.D., D.Litt., prof. of oriental languages, Glasgow; Marion Scott, missionary, Kenya; Robt Ferrie
David Mitchell	1862-1866	b. ca. 1835 Glasgow, son of John M., factor; ord. to St Luke's Glasgow 7 Oct 1858; tr. & adm. (ass. & suc.) 11 Apr 1862; dep. 22 Dec 1866; min. of Scots Church, New Jersey, USA; d. there 1905; mar. 1874
George Johnstone Caie	1875-1911	b. 18 Oct 1839 Chatham, New Brunswick, son of James C.; B.A. 1861; ord. to New St Stephen's, St John's, N.B. 6 Jun 1866; ass. here 1874; adm. (ass. & suc.) 2 Jul 1875; D.D. St Andrews 1899; d. 4 Oct 1911 Forfar; mar. (1) 1872 Annabell, dau. of Robt Hyndman, Pr. Edward Is.; issue: James Johnstone; Norman Macleod, min. of 1st charge Hamilton LKS; Annie Hyndman; Mary Richardson; Capt. Robt Geo., 5th Fusiliers; mar. (2) 1889 Margaret Matthew, dau. of John Myles, solicitor, Forfar; issue: Annie Whitson (mar. James Arthur Lees, Torquay); Ethel Margaret (mar. Robt S.L. Macpherson, C.A.); John Myles
William Galloway Donaldson	1908-1934	b. 17 Jun 1864 Cupar FIF, son of Ebenezer D.; ass. Ladhope, Galashiels SEL; ord. to Kelso North ROX 12 Mar 1891; tr. to St Paul's Leith MLN 23 Nov 1898; tr. & adm. (ass. & suc.) 1 Oct 1908; d. 25 Nov 1934 Forfar - in his pulpit; mar. 1892 Isabella Thomson, yst dau. of Robt Adam, Cupar
David Mathieson Bell	1935-1958-?	b. 11 May 1891 Cambuslang, son of David B.; from S. Woodside, Aberdeen; ind. 6 Jun 1935; d. 1 Nov 1978 Brechin; mar. 1922 Josephine Ramsay; issue: David M.

Other ministers of the established church

Ministers of St James's quoad sacra
St James's parish was disjoined from Forfar and erected quoad sacra 18 Mar 1872.

James Yeaman Strachan	1836-1843	b. ca. 1806, son of Wm S.; ord. 21 Oct 1833 as ass. to William Clugston, min. of Forfar; adm. here 20 Apr 1836; d. 1 oct 1843 unmar.
James Sommers	1845-1851	ord. 30 Jan 1845; tr. to Barry 18 Sep 1851
James Ireland	1852-1857	b. ca. 1823; ord. to Bourock Chapel (Barrhead) 26 Feb 1850; tr. & 15 Jun 1852; res. 11 Feb 1857; went to America
Alexander Campbell	1857-1866	b. 1830 Aberfeldy PER, son of Alexr C., grocer; missionary St David's Dundee; ass. St Clement's Dundee; ord. 25 Jun 1857; d. 25 Jan 1866 unmar.
John Weir	1866-1909	b. 25 Jan 1840 Rothesay BUT, 3rd son of John W., merchant; M.A. Glasgow 1858; ass. Hogganfield, Mount Stuart, Killearn and W. St Giles Edinburgh; ord. to St James's Chapel (i.e. here) 2 Aug 1866; 1st min. of this parish 3 Apr 1872; dem. 17 May 1909; d. 13 Mar 1925 Paisley; mar. 1868 Christina Scott, dau. of Adam Bell, merchant, Edinburgh; issue: Ada Bell; Mary McKinlay
William Adam	1909-1916	M.A., B.D.; ord 9 Sep 1909; tr. to Kirkpatrick Durham KKD 5 Oct 1916
James Aiken	1917-1928	b. 13 Jul 1866 Glasgow, son of Robt A., commodore, mercht navy; M.A. 1891; ass. Beath, Milton of Campsie, Dalziel; ord. 5 May 1904; adm. Berbice, Brit. Guiana 26 Jun 1904; tr. to Georgetown, Brit. Guiana 1 Dec 1914; adm. here 8 Feb 1917; tr. to Livingston WLN 14 Sep 1928; d. 1945 Livingston; mar. 1905 Matilda, dau. of Alexr McD. Thomson, colliery manager; had issue; entomologist
John Strachan	1929-1933	b. 31 Oct 1897 Dundee, son of John S., coachsmith; M.A. St Andrews 1925; ass. Clepington and Arbroath; ord. 28 Feb 1929; tr. to Collace PER 5 Oct 1933; tr. to Dores & Bona 1 Sep 1943; d. 19 Feb 1946 Inverness; mar. 1929 Agnes Laird, dau. of Wm Annan, Belfast

Ministers of Lowson Memorial quoad sacra
Lowson Memorial parish was disjoined from Forfar and erected quoad sacra 29 May 1914.

Peter Carmichael Millar	1914-1920	O.B.E., M.A., B.D.; ord. 17 Sep 1914; tr. to Balmerino FIF 14 Sep 1920
William Thomas Smellie	1920-1925	b. 7 Jun 1892 Barrhead, son of Robt James S.; M.A. Glasgow 1913; ass. N. Berwick ELN; ord. 17 Feb 1921; tr. to Rothesay BUT 7 Apr 1925; d. 1955 Cathcart; mar. 1921 Jean, dau. of Wm Craig, Paisley
John Kennedy	1925-1928	B.D.; ord. 15 Sep 1925; tr. to Old Kilpatrick DNB 19 dec 1928
William Hutchison Macdiarmid	1929-1939	b. 1880 Farningham, Kent, son of Andrew McD., engine fitter; formerly of Ballingry FIF; tr. from Stonefield 26 Jun 1929; d. 3 Nov 1939 Forfar; mar. 1915 Marion Barclay

Ministers of other denominations

Ministers of New Road Free Church, Forfar

William Clugston

1843-1857

see above list of ministers of parish kirk

Ministers of the West Free Church, West High Street, Forfar (St Margaret's or West Kirk)

Alexander Cumming	?-1881-1909	b. ca. 1823 Edinburgh; d. 9 Feb 1909 Forfar; mar. 1861 Mary Boyd; issue: Mary Boyd; James; Margaret Meldrum; Geo. Kay Boyd; Alexr, town clerk of Nairn; Annie Tower
Arthur John Gossip	1901-1910	M.A.; b. 20 Jan 1873 Partick, son of Robert G., journalist; ind. Dec 1901 as colleague & succ.; ind. Sep 1910 St Matthew's U.F. Church, Glasgow; d. 1954 Glasgow; mar. 1900 Janina H. Carslaw

Ministers of the East Free Church, Green Street, Forfar

Robert Ross	?-1877-1881-?	b. ca. 1840 Errol PER; mar. Susan Donaldson; issue: Peter M.; Margaret Gould; Geo. D.
George Mitchell Philps	?-1884-1898	b. ca. 1853 Airdrie; tr. to Union Free Church, Glasgow 1898; d. 1917 Glasgow; mar. 1877 Rachel Parker; issue: Geo. Pixton, Wm P., Robert, Andrew C., James M.
--	--
Andrew H. Anderson	1927-?	from Auchtermuchty

Ministers of Forfar (Antiburgher), later South United Free Church

John Jamieson	1780-1797	M.A.; b. ca. 1759, son of the Rev. John J., Glasgow; ord. 23 Aug 1780; D.D. 1791 Princeton; tr. to Edinburgh 2 May 1797; author of "Dictionary of the Scottish Language"
Andrew Aedie (Adie)	1798-1838	prob. b. 24 Sep 1772 Pathstruie, Forgandenny PER, son of John A.; ord. 9 Oct 1798; d. 8 Jul 1838 Alloa CLK
Andrew Murray	1839-1857	b. ca. 1815 Barry, son of the Rev. John M., Carnoustie; nephew of the above Andrew Adie; ord. 8 Oct 1839; res. 6 Jun 1857; missionary Anderston, Glasgow; farmer in Angus; patient, Lunatic Asylum, Edinburgh 1881; d. 16 Feb 1890 Edinburgh; mar. 1840 Eliz. Nash; issue: Eliz. Nash
Hugh Lang Niven	1859-1862	b. 16 Feb 1831 S. Knapdale ARL, 7th son of Laurence N., ag. lab.; from Glasgow (Greyfriars); ord. 24 Feb 1859; disappeared 8/9 Jul 1862; dep. 6 Jan 1863; editor of Shanghai Evening Courier, 1868-1875; d. 20 Jan 1875 Shanghai; mar. (1860 in London but also 1861 Livingston WLN & Forfar) Anne Reid (who d. 30 Dec 1912 Edinburgh)
Peter Stirling Wright	1863-1895	b. ca. 1831 Kilmarnock AYR; from Kilmarnock (King Street); ord. 20 Oct 1863; min.-emeritus 25 Jun 1895; d. 18 Apr 1899 Forfar; mar. 1872 Eliz. Whyte Roberts
Alexander Grieve	1896-1901-?	b. 9 Nov 1866 Smailholm ROX, son of Margt G., & gson of Robt G., road contractor; M.A.(Edin.); studied at Berlin, Leyden & Marburg; D.Phil.(Lips.); from Millport BUT; ord. 28 Jan 1896; translator of Deissmann's Neue Bibelstudien; later at Greyfriars U.F. Kirk, Pollokshields; mar. 1896 Euphemia L. Ross; issue: Brünnhilde M.; Eliz. W.

Ministers of St John's Episcopal Church, Forfar

John Skinner	1797-1841	A.M.; b. 20 Aug 1769, son of John S., bishop of Aberdeen; dean of Dunkeld; d. 2 Sep 1841; mar. 1798 Eliz., dau. of John Ure, provost here; issue: Margt; John; Mary R.; Geo. U.; Wm; Chas B.; Ann S.; Alexr; James
William Taylor	?-1851-?	b. ca. 1793 Montrose
William George Shaw	?-1861-1874	b. 1825/26 Edinburgh, son of Wm S., cashier N. Brit. Rwy; d. 24 Oct 1874 Forfar; mar. (1) 1854 Maria Elizabeth Molyneux, eldest dau. of Wm Nelson Clarke D.C.L.(Oxon.); issue: Kath. M.; Wm S. C.; Chas K. S.; Dorothea M. C.; mar. (2) 1872 Margaret R. Whyte; author of "Memorials of the Clan Shaw"
Vincent Lewis Rorison	?-1881-1885	M.A., D.D.; b. 1849/50 Peterhead, son of Gilbert R., D.D.; provost, St Ninian's Cath., Perth 1885; dean of St Andrews 1901; d. 27 Aug 1910 Perth; mar. 1877 Edith A.S. Stephenson; issue: Harry G.G., Wm G., Edith A., Emma R.
John Mullings Aldridge	?-1891-?	b. ca. 1843 Devizes, Wiltshire; in Ireland by 1901; mar. Mary D. --; issue: Gerald

Ministers of the Congregational Church in Forfar

William Lowe

?-1841-?

b. ca. 1800 Scotland; mar.; issue: Cath.; Margt; Barbara; James; John

Photograph of the Congregational Church, Forfar.

Monumental inscriptions

Monuments in Forfar Parish Kirkyard (ca. 210 stones), Forfar Cemetery (ca. 210 stones), St John's Episcopal Kirkyard (at NO457506) (ca. 30 stones) and at the ruined priory of Restenneth (7 stones) bearing pre-1855 information are listed in Alison Mitchell (ed.), "Pre-1855 Monumental Inscriptions in Angus, Vol. 1: Strathmore" (Edinburgh: Scottish Genealogy Soc., 1993), which can be bought from the Scottish Genealogy Society. (It's listed as "Angus MI - Vol. 1. Pre-1855 Strathmore" in their online shop.)

The following inscriptions are in the ruins of Restenneth Priory:

[M1; flat stone in middle of chancel, recent but worn] Memorialis [sic] the HUNTERs of Restenneth Burnside Dod from 16th century onwards

[M4; p1390; against north wall of chancel] In memory of Dame KATHARINE DEMPSTER METCALFE widow of Sir THEOPHILUS JOHN METCALFE, baronet, born 19th December 1830 died 7th December 1911.
[i.e. Katharine Hawkins Dempster, dau. of John Whitshed Hawkins, yr of Dunnichen. She married Metcalfe at Dunnichen in Aug 1876.]

[in pediment above a lost mural] 18(03)

and this mediaeval slab affixed to the inside of the tower [M5]:

Forfar War Memorial on Balmashanner Hill and Forfar & District Roll of Honour 1914-1919

The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project - Balmashanner

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.

Additionally, in the National Records:

Births & baptisms
- 1857 - 1879 for St James quoad sacra, Church of Scotland [NRS CH2/1511/15]
Deaths & Burials

Online access to Newmonthill Cemetery records is at Deceased Online - payment required to see actual records

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.

Births & baptisms
- 1633 - 1854
Banns & Marriages
- 1659 - 1701
- 1705 - 1854
Deaths & Burials
- 1826 - 1854
Additionally, in Angus Archives:
- Forfar Burial Books, 1733-1760, 1772-1784 - burials in Forfar Parish Churchyard [Angus Archives ref. 33:929.5]
- Forfar burial index, 1783-1787 from Kirk Session records [Angus Archives - in Search room]
Additionally, in the National Records of Scotland:
- Index of lairs in Forfar Parish Churchyard, ca. 1800 [NRS ref. RHP7933/2]

Marriage contracts

Date	Type	Parties	NRS ref.
26 Apr 1724	antenuptial	Andrew Binny, eldest son of Alexander Binny of Whitewall, provost of Forfar & Elizabeth Whyte [White], daughter of Charles Whyte, merchant in Dundee	GD243/15/9

Church Session Records of Forfar parish kirk

Not in NRS; the records appear still to be held in the Kirk, as they certainly were in 2000

Church Session Records of St James's quoad sacra parish

Nature of record	Dates	NRS ref. CH2/1511/...
Minutes	1836-1951	1 to 4
do	1973-1977	5
Congregational board minutes	1969-1977	5
Managers' minutes	1830-1872	6 to 8
Enclosures from vol. 8	1850-1872	9
Managers' minutes	1872-1938	10
Enclosures from vol. 10	1872-1938	11
Congregational board minutes	1938-1969	12
Enclosure from vol. 12	1938-1969	13
Parochial chapel cash book	1829-1852	14
Baptisms	1857-1879	15
do	1899-1915	16
do	1916-1937	17
do	1937-1966	18
Proclamations	1875-1882	19
do	1882-1900	20
do	1901-1932	21
do	1942-1958	22
Communion rolls	1863-1889	23 to 26
do	1910-1968	27 to 34
Accounts	1852-1920	35
do	1920-1934	36
do	1935-1946	37
do	1963-1973	38
Financial statement	1973	39
St James's church magazine	1930-1937	40
The James's Gazette	1946-1960	41
St James's News	1961-1976	42
Women's Guild syllabus	1899-1900	43
Women's Guild minutes	1892-1967	43 to 49
Enclosure from vol. 49	1964	50
Women's Guild minutes	1964-1977	51
Statement of accounts	1971-1973	52
Women's Guild business & AGM minutes	1869-1977	53
Women's Guild cash books	1892-1959	54 to 57
Women's Guild roll books	1951-1966	58 to 61

Church Session Records of Forfar East Free Kirk

Nature of record	Dates	NRS ref. CH3/493/...
Minutes	1845-1857	1
Financial statements	1867-1879	1
Minutes	1856-1886	2

Forfar Heritors' records

Nature of record	Dates	NRS ref. HR415/...
Minute book (with accounts)	1870-1910	1
do	1910-1930	2
Papers re ecclesiastical buildings, etc. (church, manse, school, churchyard)	1717-1930	3
Papers re transference of property to Church of Scotland General Trustees	1925-1930	4

Land owners

There were 10 proprietors of land in the parish in 1843:

The proprietor of Lour
Hawkins of Restenneth
Charles Gray of Carse
Gen. Hunter of Burnside
Trustees of A. Greenhill of Craignathro
Trustees of Mrs Knight of Halkerton
J. Arnot of Pitreuchie
J. Anderson of Clockbriggs
J. Watt of Meathie
B. Graham of Littlemill

Episcopal Church Records

Index of Episcopal baptisms, 1754-1823 [Angus Archives - in Search room]

Poor

Information, maps & photographs of Forfar Combination Poorhouse.

Census records

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.

Population statistics

Year	male	female	total	ref.
1755				Dr Alexander Webster
1790			4756	Old Statistical Account
1800			5165
1811			5562
1821	2784	3113	5897
1831			7549
1841			9587*
1851			11009
1871	5581	7004	12585
1881	6505	7965	14470

* of whom, 7969 were in the parliamentary burgh

After change of parish boundary:

Year	male	female	total
1891	6027	7638	13665
1901	5639	7240	12879
1911	5386	6868	12254
1921	4784	6224	11008

Street and trade directories

Some directories for the town of Forfar are available online. These include lists of farmers and some others in neighbouring parishes.

Testaments & wills

Forfar was in the Commissariot of St Andrews.

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 Forfar people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of St Andrews, 1549-1823

Alexander Adam	mason, burges of Forfar	4 Jan 1699
Thomas Adam	maltman in Forfar	22 May 1746
Thomas Adam	mason in Forfar	25 Feb 1748
William Adam	cotterman in Corsburne, par. of Forfar	12 Jan 1616
Elizabeth Adamson	res. at the west town end of Forfar	27 Dec 1823
Robert Adamson	carrier in Forfar, sp. of Janet Mands	4 Oct 1820
James Aitken, fewer in Boghall	in the ground of Forfar	19 May 1784
Andrew Anderson, elder	skinner, burges of Forfar	13 Jun 1628
Archibald Anderson	burges of Forfar	7 Jan 1614
Catharine Anderson	spouse to William Guthrie, maltman, burges of Forfar	28 Jan 1629
James Anderson	wright in Dowhill-miln, Forfar	2 Apr 1795
Elizabeth Auchinleck	relict of John Gray, of Lour, par. of Forfar	10 Feb 1617
George Auld	burges of Forfar	19 Jun 1617
Elspeth Balfour	spouse to Andrew Halkney, in Cottoun of Meikle Lour, par. of Forfar	6 Aug 1692
John Barry	manufacturer, Forfar	12 Jun 1806
Robert Bean	in Cotton of Tullose, Forfar	14 Apr 1777
Isobel Bellie	spouse to James Dickson, in Forfar	17 Feb 1621
William Bellie	cordiner in Forfar, and Janet Monteath, his spouse	18 Aug 1649
James Benny	cordiner, burges of Forfar	19 Jul 1628
James Benny, elder	cordiner, burges of Forfar	29 Oct 1674
John Benry, elder	cordiner, burges of Forfar	29 May 1650
Andrew Binny	town-clerk in Forfar	1 Dec 1769
Isobel Binny	res. in Forfar, rel. of John Webster, merchant & s.t. bailie in Forfar	2 Feb 1820
Janet Binny	res. in Forfar	16 Jan 1809
Jean Binny	rel. of Thomas Hunter, wright in Forfar	9 Jul 1752
Mrs Margaret Binny	res. in Forfar, rel. of William Hunter, merchant in Forfar	17 Sep 1817
William Boath	weaver in Forfar	29 Mar 1823
Mrs Mary Bower	dau. of dec. William Bower of Kinnettles & sp. of John Ritchie, Esq., res. in Forfar	7 Dec 1809
Helen Brandon	sp. to John Boutcher, in Waltoun, par. of Forfar	22 Oct 1683
Margaret Brandon	sp. to David Watt, weaver in Forfar	12 Oct 1681
James Brown of Pitruchie	par. of Forfar	23 Oct 1683
Rev. John Bruce	min. of the gospel at Forfar	17 Jun & 3 Jul 1817
Janet Buchan	sp. to Andrew Symson, in West Dod, par. of Forfar	26 Oct 1685
Alexander Burr	hosier in Forfar	2 & 3 Aug 1820
John Butchart	merchant in Forfar	28 May 1770
John Cadger	flax dresser in Forfar	5 & 7 Jan 1822
John Caird	weaver in Forfar	19 Apr 1813
Mrs Margaret Campbell	wid. of John Ure, sheriff clerk, Forfar	1 Aug 1812
Thomas Cardean	tenant in Easter Denoon, Forfar	29 Apr 1771
Alexander Carnegie	in Forfar	18 Aug 1649
Alexander Carnegie	sherrif-depute of Angus, par. of Forfar	23 Nov 1693
James Carnegie	s.t. sheriff-depute of Forfar	11 Feb 1682
Patrick Carnegy of Lower, Esq.		11 Jul 1820
David Cauty	writer and sometime bailie of Forfar	22 Jun 1748
James Constable	manufacturer in Forfar	14 Aug 1823
John Cook, younger	in Forfar	24 oct 1683
James Coultie	burges of Forfar	8 Nov 1649
David Coushny	in Caldhame, par. of Forfar	20 Jul 1720
Andrew Coutie	late bailie of Forfar	25 Oct 1683
William Coutie	maltman in Forfar	25 Oct 1687
William Coutts	merchant in Forfar	12 Jan 1709 and 25 Jul and 17 Nov 1710
John Craig	sometime merchant, burges of Forfar	13 Aug 1718
David Craik	in Toquheitoune, par. of Forfar	7 Apr 1615
James Cromb	cotterman in Carsburne, par. of Forfar	12 Jan 1616
Bessie Cunningham	sometime spouse to umquhile Walter Thorntoun, in Forfar	14 Jan 1600
Eupham Cuthbert	spouse to John Symson, in Wester Dod, par. of Forfar	24 Oct 1683
James Cuthbert	manufacturer in Forfar, sp. of Agnes Kerr	4 Jul 1816
John Cuthbert	merchant in Forfar	1 Nov 1682
William Cuthbert	late bailie of Forfar	1 May and 28 Jun 1695
William Cuthbert	shoemaker in Forfar	14 Jun 1704
William Cuthbert	late bailie in Forfar	16 Jun 1720 and 8 Feb 1721
James Dalgety	residenter in Forfar	9 & 16 Jun 1815
James Dargie	pensioner of Kilmanham Hospital, s.t. of 1st Foot, res. in Forfar	18 Jun 1819
John Davidson	late officer of excise at Forfar	13 Feb 1751 and 18 Mar 1752
John Dickson	cordiner in Forfar	23 Oct 1685
John Dickson	mason & quarrier in Forfar, proprietor of Slatefield	23 Sep 1806
John Dog	in Myresyde, par. of Forfar	7 May 1638
David Don	residenter in Forfar	28 Feb 1771
David Don	writer in Forfar & partner of John Don & Co., brewers at Bankhead, Forfar	31 May & 8 Jun 1820
William Don	merchant in Forfar	3 (& 20?) Jun 1818
William Donald	surgeon, R.N., res. in Forfar	24 Jul 1817
William Dow[?] (Don?)	merchant in Forfar [see Wm Don above]	20 Jun 1818
Elspet Duncan	spouse to Andrew Millar, boatman in Sie-mylnes, par. of Forfar	23 Aug 1621
Alexander Eston	weaver in Forfar	6 Jul 1813
John Falconer of Balmashaner	par. of Forfar	18 Aug 1703
John Falconer of Bahnashanner	Forfar	4 Dec 1723
James Findale	shoemaker in Forfar	29 Sep 1796
John Fed	burges of Forfar	6 May 1641
Mr George Forrester	in Muirsyde of Lour, par. of Forfar	3 and 8 Apr 1629
Margaret Fowler	spouse to David Robertson, in Forfar	14 Nov 1684
Margaret Fyfe	spouse to Andrew Hill, in Denmyln, Forfar	18 Oct 1687
Christene Gellatlie	relict of David Ogilvy, of Tempilhall, par. of Forfar	23 Dec 1595
Miss Isabella Gray	res. in Forfar, dau. of dec. Mr Charles Gray, merchant in Forfar	14 Nov 1815
Michaell Gray of Trufbeg	par. of Forfar	11 Jul 1684
Mr David Guthrie, late of Carsbanick	par. of Forfar	6 Jun 17l6
Isobel Guthrie	lawful daughter of the deceased Mr David Guthrie of Carsbank, par. of Forfar	[6 Dec 1727] 16 Dec 1754
Jedson Guthrie of Blabirhill	par. of Forfar	14 Oct 1614
William Guthrie	maltman, burges of Forfar	18 Aug 1649
Helen Haggart	res. in Forfar, wid. of Thomas Reid, brewer there	13 Jan 1821
James Hamilton of Kirktoun	par. of Forfar	17 May 1650
James Hanton	in Knows of Glenprosen, par. of Forfar	3 Aug 1720
Alexander Heattoun	in Newmuir, par. of Forfar	4 Apr 1683
Margaret Henderson	spouse to Wilham Barrie, par. of Forfar	27 May 1614
James Hendry	res. on the Manor, par. of Forfar	26 Jun 1823
Mr Charles Hill	res. in Forfar	28 May 1821
Andrew How	in Hill-end of Dod, par. of Forfar	16 Apr 1712
Janet Hoy	spouse to David Gibsone, merchant, burges of Forfar	13 Jun 1628
Andrew Hunter	provost of Forfar	25 Jan 1639
Bessie Hunter	spouse to Patrick Beny, burges of Forfar	29 Apr 1620
Bessie Hunter	lawful daughter to umquhile William Hunter, skinner, burges of Forfar	12 Nov 1640
David Hunter, elder	sometime provost of Forfar	27 Mar 1616
David Hunter of Restenet		28 Aug 1685
George Hunter	burges of Forfar	27 Mar 1616
George Hunter	lawful son to Andrew Hunter, provost of Forfar, and Euphame Benie, his spouse	21 Jan 1629
James Hunter	burges of Forfar	18 Feb 1597-8
James Hunter	butcher & brewer in Forfar	6 Sep 1819
Janet Hunter	spouse to Patrick Suttie, burges of Forfar	6 Apr 1618
Margaret Hunter	spouse to George Bellie, burges of Forfar	2 Jan 1618
William Hunter	merchant in Forfar	16 Oct 1794
Patrick Hutcheon	brabonar in Cottoun-Lowre, par. of Forfar	9 Mar 1607
Jean Ireland	res. in Forfar, wid. of James Wallace, tenant at Birkenbush	16 Apr 1813
Magdalen Jaffray	lawful daughter of the deceased Alexander Jaffray, sometime provost of Forfar, par. of Forfar	17 Oct 1775 and 4 May 1776
Elizabeth Johnstone	spouse to David Whytt, younger, shoemaker in Forfar	9 Dec 1713
Thomas Kerr	late carpenter of his Majesty's ship the "Southampton" and lately residenter in Forfar	29 May 1794
Isobel Kinninmonth or Lowrie	indweller in Forfar	7 Aug 1662
Andrew Lamb	in Langbank, par. of Forfar	31 Jul 1619
John Langlands	litster, burges of Forfar	22 Oct 1683
Isobel Leuchars	spouse to David Ker, in Westfield, par. of Forfar	28 Oct 1674
William Lindsay	in Muirtoun muir, par. of Forfar	18 Jul 1617
William Lockie	burges of Forfar	18 Aug 1649
Isobel Lowrie alias Kinnynmonth	indweller in Forfar	7 Aug 1662
John Lowson	weaver in Forfar, formerly in Newmuir of Lower	19 Apr 1816
James Machir	residing in Forfar	8 May 1810
Patrick Mackie	at Lockhead, par. of Forfar	12 Jul 1820
David Mann junior	merchant in Forfar	15 May 1815
John Mann	merchant, Forfar	3 Jul 1809
Mr John Mann	writer in Forfar	17 Feb 1819
John Mathew	in Balmuir, Forfar	9 Jun 1697
John Mathie	son to umquhile John Mathie, sometime in Barrilwell of Forfar	26 Oct 1685
Mary Mathie	spouse to George Wood, burges of Forfar	12 Oct 1681
David Mill	in Auchterforfer, par. of Forfar	26 Oct 1685
John Mill	residenter in Forfar, late in the Ground of Melgund, sp. of Janet Binny	20 Dec 1823
Robert Mill	corporal, 94th Foot, res. in Forfar	20 Nov 1817
Thomas Mitchell	late minister at Aberlemno, par. of Forfar	2 Dec 1755
John Milne	in Forfar	12 May 1800
Richard Morgan	maltman, burges of Forfar	28 Jul 1637
Ann Morrice	res. in Forfar, wid. of dec. James Machir in Forfar	25 Mar 1814
John Mudie	sometime workman in Forfar	28 Jun 1717
James Neave	merchant, tailor in Forfar	21 Jun 1809, 17 & 28 Feb 1810, 7 Nov 1812
John Neish of Newford Park	near Forfar	26 Feb 1820
John Nicole	manufacturer, Forfar	1 Oct 1801
Marorie Nicoll	spouse to John Shepherd in Mekle Lour, par. of Forfar	5 Feb 1617
James Nicolson	writer in Forfar, par. of Tannadyce	8 Feb 1710
Mrs Clementine Ochterlony	relict of William Ker, sometime Provost of Forfar	4 Jan 1790
Charles Ogilvie	writer in Forfar	19 Apr 1793
Susanna Ogilvie	spouse to Mr Thomas Small, minister at Forfar	12 Oct 1681
James Orkney	maltman, burges of Forfar	28 Oct 1674
Peter Ormond	residing in Restennet, par. of Forfar	16 Jul 1799
Alexander Osler	Barnyards, afterwards Forfar	11 Jul 1804
Alexander Paton	burges of Forfar	10 Aug 1624
Mararet Paton	spouse to David Sand, cordiner, burges of Forfar	2 Apr 1628
Thomas Paton	in Greinordie, par. of Forfar	8 Apr 1641
David Petrie	cordiner, burges of Forfar	8 Nov 1649
Gavin Porteous	burges of Forfar	9 Aug 1620
William Potter	brewer in Forfar	29 Mar & 6 May 1815
Andrew Reillie	in Lonehead of Meikle Lour, par. of Forfar	21 Jun 1697
Thomas Rhind of Clocksbrigs	par. of Forfar	21 Oct 1681
William Rhind	in Auchterforfar, par. of Forfar	2 Jan 1618
John Ritchie, Esq.	late master in H.M. Navy, residing in and late provost of Forfar	7 & 13 Dec 1809, 3 Jan 1810
James Roberts	vintner, Forfar	26 Sep 1803
John Robertson of Pitruchie	par. of Forfar	10 Apr 1723
Thomas Robertson	sometime writer in Forfar	12 Mar 1686
John Rodger	in Bow, Forfar	26 Oct 1685
Helen Sand	spouse to John Wat, in Forfar	23 Oct 1683
George Scott	in Chapillmyln, Forfar	3 Jul 1675
George Scott	in Muirhouse, Forfar	9 Jun 1697
Mrs Mary Sharp	in Forfar, rel. of James Badenoch, farmer at Johnstone, prev. mar. to Patrick Brae	8 Jun 1816
John Shepherd	in Meikle Lour, par. of Forfar	5 Feb 1617
Janet Simpson	spouse to John Dickson, cordiner in Forfar	22 Oct 1683
Mrs Elizabeth Skene	res. in F., only living child of Mr Geo. Skene, episc. min. Forfar, rel. of Mr Wm Jolly, episc. min. Kirriemuir	31 Jan 1818
Robert Small	farmer, Mill of Kincaldrum, later res. in F.	10 Dec 1823
James Smith	tailor in Forfar	28 Jul 1819
John Smith	cordiner in Forfar	2 Nov 1620
John Smith	tailor in Forfar	15 Sep 1819
Robert Smith	tenant in Coatmuir, and also sometime tenant in Auchscurrie, Forfar	28 Mar 1745
Elizabeth Soutar	Forfar	22 Feb 1803
John Spark	in Ledinfurd, par. of Forfar	16 Nov 1625
John Spark	merchant in Forfar	13 Mar 1773
James Steel(e)	brewer in Forfar	8 & 30 Oct 1813
Miss Margaret Steele	dau. of dec. James S., brewer there	27 Jan 1814
Martha Steele	servant to William Allan, res. in Forfar	30 Jan & 1 Feb 1619
Alexander Steven	in East mains, Forfar	24 Sep 1683
Mararet Strachan	spouse to Gabriell Guthrie, in Halkertoun, par. of Forfar	18 Nov 1625
James Strang	burges of Forfar	31 Jul 1662
William Sturrock	manufacturer in Forfar	7 Aug 1822
John Thom	burges of Forfar	22 May 1619
Charles Thornton	sometime bailie of Forfar	20 Apr 1696
Margaret Thornton	spouse to James Thom, burges of Forfar	21 Oct 1687
Thomas Thornton	wright, burges of Forfar	18 Aug 1620
Walter Thornton	burges of Forfar	17 0ct 1587
Catherine Tindall	spouse to James Wallace, in Furdtull, par. of Forfar	23 Oct 1685
David Tindall	merchant in Forfar	26 Oct 1789
Jean Tindall	residenter in Forfar	26 Jan 1792
James Traill	burges of Forfar	16 Feb 1619
John Turner	merchant in Forfar	28 Aug 1793
James Ure	writer in Forfar	23 Apr 1686
William Ure	late bailie in Forfar	17 Feb 1714
William Ure	lawful son to the deceased William Ure, sometime bailie in Forfar	8 May and 16 Oct 1723
William Ure	residenter in Forfar, and Jean Lindesay, his spouse, par. of Forfar	3 Apr 1745
Christian Walker	spouse to Alexander Sturrok, in New-muir of Meikle Looir, par. of Forfar	17 Feb 1621
James Walker	in Forfar	10 Aug 1620
Mr James Walker	town clerk of Forfar	16 Oct 1815
Janet Walker	spouse to John Strang, skinner, burges of Forfar	14 Apr 1627
Patrick Wallace	in Banneshoniald, par. of Forfar	24 Oct 1685
James Watt	in Carsburne, par. of Forfar	27 Mar 1616
John Watt of Meathie, Esq.	provost of Forfar	14 Jan 1815
David Watterstoun	in Woodsyde of Lour, par. of Forfar	14 Feb 1617
Catharine Webster	relict of William Kid, burges of Forfar	26 Oct 1620
David Webster	merchant, Forfar	18 Jun 1802
George Webster of Westfield	par. of Forfar	24 May 1823
William Webster	brabiner, burges of Forfar	8 Nov 1649
James Weddell	in Auchterforfar, par. of Forfar	17 Feb 1621
Jean White	spouse to Alexander Adam, mason in Forfar	24 Oct 1683
Robert Whyte	bailie, tanner in Forfar	5 Mar 1816, 7 May 1817, 1 & 18 Feb 1819
Janet Wichtane (Wichtoun)	spouse to James Fairwedder, in Craignathro, par. of Forfar	14 Apr 1627
Christian Williamson	sometime spouse of Michaell Banye, cordinar, burges of Forfar	28 Oct 1587
David Wilson	notar, burges of Forfar	30 Jul 1617
David Wilson	in Drumgley [now in Kinnettles], sher. of Forfar	8 Mar 1648
David Wilson	lawful son to umquhile David Wilsone, in Drumgley, par. of Forfar [now in Kinnettles]	18 Oct 1649
Charles Wood	tailor in Forfar	21 Sep 1705
David Wood	cordiner, burges of Forfar	20 Jul 1649
Elizabeth Wood	spouse to Christopher Ranny, par. of Forfar	28 Oct 1674
George Wood	late bailie of Forfar	20 Aug 1662
Helen Wood	relict of Archibald Anderson, burges of Forfar	11 Aug 1620
Henry Wood	merchant, burges of Forfar	3 Nov 1675
Donald Young	at the Mylne of Kirriemuir, thereafter in Forfar	22 Oct 1713

Testaments registered at St Andrews that have been lost, for which only entries in the minute books are extant

Alexander Adam	brewer in Forfar	7 Jan 1742
William Binny	provost of Forfar	22 Oct 1740
David Brown	merchant in Forfar	24 Feb 1742
Patrick Carnegie of Lour	par. of Forfar	22 Sep 1736
John Christie	merchant in Forfar	29 Aug 1763
Elizabeth Doig	relict of the also deceased -- Gordon, officer of Excise, par. of Forfar	19 Apr 1764
Robert Fairweather	servant of Bruce Bell, in Dumfrae, par. of Forfar	3 Jul 1730
John Fisher	writer in Forfar	10 Oct 1744
Margaret Lawson	spouse to Thomas Scott, smith in Forfar	25 Jan 1738
Elizabeth Lindsay	relict of William Ure, bailie in Forfar	10 Nov 1736
Margaret Mylne	daughter of Thomas Mylne, in Lower, par. of Forfar	29 Jan 1725
William Ure	sometime bailie of Forfar	11 Nov 1724

Testaments of Forfar people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Brechin, 1576-1800
'T' before the date indicates that the copy in the register is lost, but the original testament is extant.

David Mathers	merchant, burgess of Forfar	25 Jan 1658
Alexander Nevay	burgess of Forfar	13 Apr 1658
Mr Thomas Pearson	minister at Forfar	16 Jun 1658
Christian Ramsay	spouse to James Clark, merchant, citiner of Brechin, now in Forfar	13 Feb 1633
John Steven	indweller in Forfar, and Janet Wood, his spouse	T. 8 Mar 1659
William White	glover, burgess of Forfar	26 Nov 1657

Testaments of Forfar & Restenneth people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1514-1600

Adam Brounhill	in Nether-Craig, par. of Restennet, sher. of Forfar	27 Jun 1598
Elizabeth Gardin	sometime spouse to Andrew Gray of Lour, par. of Rastennet, sher. of Forfar	23 Dec 1598
John Gray of Loure	par. of Restennet, sher. of Forfar	2 Aug 1576 and 25 Dec 1595
James Hunter	son lawful to umquhile William Hunter, burgess of Forfar	26 May 1595
William Hunter	burgess in Forfar	10 Jul 1577
William Hunter	son lawful to umquhile William Hunter, burgess of Forfar	26 May 1595
Walter Ker	burgess in Forfar	28 Nov 1577
George Lyall (or Lyell)	in Auchter-forfar, sher. of Forfar	20 Feb 1582-3
Patrik Rynd of the Dod		16 Jul 1577
James Suttie	burgess of Forfar	17 Jan 1582-3
James Thomson	burgess of Forfar	1 Mar 1600
James Traill	burgess in Forfar	1 May 1577
Gilbert Whittit	sheref-clerk of Forfar	25 Dec 1594
Elizabeth Williamson	sometime spouse to Alexander Strang, barker, burgess in Forfar	28 Nov 1577

Testaments of Forfar people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1601-1700

James Barrie	cordiner, burgess of Forfar	28 May 1608
James Bonar	sherif-deputy of Forfar	9 Aug 1602
William Kid	burgess of Forfar, in Angus	26 Feb 1606
William Scott	merchant, burgess of Forfar, in Angus	22 Jun 1607
Alexander Sympson	in Clokksbriggs, par. of Forfar	6 Jul 1607
James Wood	cordiner, burgess of Forfar, in Angus	12 Mar 1607

Testaments of Forfar people from the Register of Testaments of the Commissariot of Edinburgh, 1701-1800

William Dickson	youngest lawful son to the deceased Charles Dickson of Connonsyth, late provost of Forfar	26 Sep 1735
Archbald Douglas, Earl of Forfar		7 Feb and 21 Oct 1729
Margaret Hislop	servitrix to Robina Lockhart, Countess of Forfar, and dau. to the deceased Robert Hislop, portioner of Inveresk	16 Jul 1718
William Hunter	lawful son of the deceased Thomas Hunter, wright in Forfar	11 Jun 1751
Helen Jaffery or Jaffray	daughter of the deceased Alexander Jaffray, writer in Forfar, and relict of Colin McKenzie of Rosend	4 Feb 1757

Royal burgh of Forfar: burgh records in the NRS [ref. B26/...]

Nature of record	Dates	NRS ref.
Register of sasines, 1st series	1680-1809	B26/2/1 to B26/2/9
Minute book of 1st series of register of sasines	1737-1760	B26/3/1
do	1751-1817[?]	B26/3/2
Register of sasines, 2nd series	1809-1935	B26/4/1 to B26/4/99
Minute books of 2nd series of register of sasines	1809-1935	B26/5/1 to B26/5/10
Scroll minute books of 2nd series of register of sasines	1895-1913	B26/6/1 to B26/6/7
Presentment book	1871-1885	B26/7/1
Presentment book	1885-1935	B26/7/2
Register of deeds, protests (old series)	1768-1803	B26/8/1 to B26/8/5
Register of deeds, protests (new series)	1809-1930	B26/9/1 to B26/9/7
Minute book of register of deeds, protests (new series)	1809-1916	B26/10/1
Register of decreets	1830-1854	B26/11/1

Royal burgh of Forfar: burgh records in Angus Archives

Earliest document is dated 1568.

Royal burgh of Forfar: burgh records in Angus libraries

Index of persons for the Register of Sasines of the Burgh of Forfar, 1809-1914

Notaries' protocol books (for town clerks of Forfar)

Notaries	Dates	NRS ref.
David Pearson	1605-1637	B26/1/1
James Pearson	1627-1642	B26/1/2
Thomas Robertson, town clerk depute	1661-1669	B26/1/3

Provosts of Forfar, to 1974 (not yet in order; still subject to correction)

Name	In office	Born	Died	Info
Walter Lindsay	?-1587-?
John Lindsay of Ballinshoe	?-1595-?
David Hunter, elder	?		bef. 27 Mar 1616
Robert Rollock	?-1614-?
Andrew Hunter	?-1622-1623-?		bef. 25 Jan 1639
Alexander Strang	ca. 1645 - ca. 1648
James Piggot	?-1650-?, ?-1656-?
John Carnegie	?-1686-1691-?
William Douglas	ca. 1725
Charles Dickson of Cononsyth [in Carmyllie]	?		bef. 26 Sep 1735
William Binny	?		bef. 22 Dec 1740
Alexander Binny of Whitewall	?-1734-?, ?-1742, ?-1745-?
Andrew Hunter	1742-1743
James Binny	1743-?
Alexander Jaffray	?		bef. 17 Oct 1775
William Kerr	?-1759-?		bef. 4 Jan 1790
John Ure	?-1760-?, ?-1785-1787-?
George Dempster of Dunnichen, M.P.	?-1791-1792-?	Feb 1732 Dundee	13 Feb 1818 Dunnichen
David Watt of Meathie & Kinneries	?	ca. 1718	1797	son of John, who bought Meathie and Kinneries
John Ritchie	?-1800-?	ca. 1721	31 Mar 1809
John Watt of Meathie & Kinneries	?-1802-?	ca. 1750	20 Aug 1814	son of above David
James Craik	?-?
Charles Webster	?-1811-1816-?
William Meffan	1819-1825		12 Mar 1829
John Seaman	ca 1832
Patrick Meffan	1840-?, ?-1849-1851-?	18 Jul 1795 Kinnettles	11 Aug 1863	banker, writer
William Potter	?-1845-1846-1848-?	2 Feb 1782 Forfar	22 May 1862 Forfar	merchant
John Lowson	?	7 Feb 1786 Forfar	2 Jan 1875	linen manufacturer; Portrait
James Lowson, junior	1860-1863	29 Dec 1814 Forfar	27 Nov 1883 Forfar	jute & linen manufacturer; Portrait
John Lowson, jun., of Beechhill	?-?	9 Oct 1813 Forfar	9 Apr 1903 Forfar	linen manufacturer; portrait gifted to town by gson in 1936.
James Craik, junior	?-1865-?	11 Jun 1816 Forfar	29 Mar 1872	linen manufacturer; husband of Catherine Fyfe; Portrait
John Whyte	?-1867-?, ?-1881	ca. 1830 Menmuir	1906	tanner, leather merchant
Peter Reid	1881-1884	6 Oct 1803 Forfar	16 Jan 1897	confectioner; Portrait
William Doig	1884-1893	ca. 1820 Forfar	6 Mar 1900 Forfar	game dealer; Portrait
John Peter Anderson	1893-1895	ca. 1845 Edinburgh	20 Jun 1918 Forfar	solicitor; resided at Lochbank House
James McDougall	1895-1901
James William Adamson	1901-1907	5 Jun 1847 Forfar	3 Jun 1926	linen & jute manufacturer; Monument, Newmonthill Cemetery
James Moffat, O.B.E.	1907-1925
James Alfred Lowson, M.B., C.M. (Edin.)	1925-1931	1 Jul 1866 Forfar	21 Oct 1935 Forfar	Medical Officer of Health, Hong Kong in 1894; Portrait - middle initial 'G' erroneous
-- Peffers	1931-1932		22 Jan 1932
Thomas Hanick	1932-1934	ca. 1878 Forfar	17 Sep 1934 Forfar	draper
J. N. Graham	?-1935-1937
Col. Lionel Edward Hill	1937-1943		1969 Forfar
A. M. Lowson	1943-1950
Andrew Chalmers Smyth, O.B.E.	?-1951-1956-?	5 Aug 1903 Newtyle	2 Feb 1979 Forfar	Honorary burgess, 1972
David L. Urquhart	?-1957-1959-?
Robert Lind	?-1959-1961-?
Charles Waugh Renilson, C.B.E.	1962-1967	1913 Jedburgh	1983 Forfar

Bailies (Magistrates) of Forfar, to 1974

In office	1st	2nd
1650-1	George Wood	Alexander Scott
1742-3	James Binny, shoemaker	William Brown, writer
1743-4	David Cauty	William Brown, writer
1825-6	James Murray	Patrick Whyte
1845-6	John Low	James Barry
1846-7	John Low	John Fyfe

Town treasurers of Forfar, to 1974

Name	In office	Born	Died	Info
John Dickson	?-1656-?
Andrew Cauty	?-1660-1661-?
John Brandon	?-1662-1663-?
David Wood	?-1684-?
Henry Forrest	?-1706-1707-?
John Cook	?-1712-1713-?
Robert Wedderburn of Pearsie	?-1742-?
John Benson	?-1802-?
Patrick Shedden	?-1807-?
John Petrie	?-1825-?
John Fyfe, jun.	1845-1847

Deans of Guild of Forfar, to 1974

Name	In office	Born	Died	Info

Town clerks of Forfar

Name	In office	Born	Died	Info
Gilbert Quittet	?-?		9 Aug 1594	MI in Howff, Dundee
John Traill	?-1598-?		bef. 1620
Mr David Peirson	?-1619-?
Andrew Binny	?-1748-?		bef. 1 Dec 1769
James Webster	?		bef. 31 Jul 1810
James Walker	?-1803-?		bef. 16 Oct 1815
James Adam	[1815], ?-1825-?		bef. 26 Feb 1848
William Hunter	1815-1837-?		bef. 8 Dec 1845	appointed interim t/c 11 Jul 1815; bankrupt: see NRS ref. CS280/11/24; depute t/c 1825
William Roberts	?-1845-1871	ca. 1803 Forfar	26 Apr 1871 Forfar	solicitor & bank agent
James Taylor	1871-1895	ca. 1828 Fordoun	8 May 1895 Heatherstacks near Forfar	Portrait
Lt-Col. Alexander MacHardy	1895-1935	ca. 1842 Kirkden	16 Feb 1935	deputy lieutenant of Angus; hon. sheriff-substitute
William Whyte	1935-1946
Hamish Brown Grant, M.A., LL.B.	1946-1949-?		1985 Aviemore
William S. McCulloch	?-1957-1967-?
Thomas G. Milne	?-1969-1975

Forfar craft records

Forfar Shoemakers Incorporation, 1626-1845 [Angus Archives ref. MS 489]
Index of Forfar Shoemakers, 1626-1813 [Angus Archives ref. 33.366; also in Forfar Library]
Index of Forfar Shoemakers, 1813-1847 [Angus Archives ref. 33.366]
Forfar Tailors Incorporation, 1619-1898 [Angus Archives ref. MS 488]
Index of Forfar Watchmakers [dates?] [held by Forfar Library]
Acts and Statutes of the Weaver Craft, 1627-1838 [Angus Archives ref. MS 492]
Index of Forfar Weavers, 1627-1836 [Angus Archives ref. 33.366; also in Forfar Library]

Forfar Sheriff Court records, 1568-1984

See the Summary of the Records of Forfar Sheriff Court on the page for court records.

Valuation rolls

Valuation rolls of properties in the Burgh of Forfar, 1906-1970, are held by Angus Archives, ref. F/2.

Valuation rolls of properties in the Burgh of Forfar, 1925-1975 (except 1927/28, 1928/29, 1930/31, 1933/34, 1934/35, 1940/41, 1941/42, 1947/48), and in the County of Angus, 1895-1930, are held in Forfar Library.

Valuation rolls of properties in the County of Angus, for the years 1855, 1865, 1875, 1885, 1895, 1905, 1915, 1920, 1925, 1930, 1935 and 1940 only, can be seen at ScotlandsPeople.

Tax records

Surname index to Forfar Hearth Tax, 1693 [Angus Archives ref. 33:941]

Window Tax, royal burgh of Forfar, 1753-1798 [NRS ref. E326/1/169]

Clock & watch tax, 1797-8

Images of the original records for Forfar:

NRS ref. E326/12/2/57

Farm horse tax, 1797-8

Images of the original records for Forfar:

Newspapers

Forfar Dispatch - web-site of the current newspaper

Holdings of Forfar Library

Newspaper	Years held (bound copies)	Years held (microfilm)	Indexed years
Angus Herald		1930-1933	1930-1933
Forfar Dispatch	1952-1986	1912-present	1912-present
Forfar Herald	1923-1929	1884-1930	1884-1930
Forfar Reformer		1883-1884
Forfar Review		1912-1926
Forfar Times	1974-1978

Libraries

Forfar Library

Places of interest

Meffan Museum & Art Gallery, Forfar
ScotlandsPlaces: Forfar - an extensive collection of photographs, maps and records
Forfar Jail in 1818 - as described by Joseph John Gurney
Forfar on Wikipedia

Above: Restenneth Priory, an Augustinian priory, adjacent to Angus Archives

Forfar (Angus)

Records, sources & information about the Parish and Royal Burgh of Forfar

Parish number 288