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Kirkpatrick-Durham

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"Though the general elevation of the parish is considerable, it contains no lofty mountains, and the heights which diversify its surface consist chiefly of craggy hills, which partake of the geological character of the surrounding district ....

In the lower district of the parish, soil is in general tolerably fertile; and, though in many places thin and sandy, where judiciously managed, yields rich and luxuriant crops of grain. A large proportion of the surface consists of fine old pasture, which furnishes a kindly and often highly profitable nourishment to the herds of black-cattle for which the district is famous....

The number of acres may be stated in round numbers at 20,000 of which 8,000 are either cultivated or occasionally in tillage. A great portion of the remainder is used as pasture for black-cattle or sheep, while a considerable tract is included under the names of bogs, mosses, and muirs. The wood covers perhaps 400 or 500 acres. Of the uncultivated land a large proportion lies in the northern district of the parish; and there are many hundred acres in that quarter capable of yielding a very profitable return to an enterprising capitalist....

The nearest market town is afforded by the thriving little town of Castle Douglas, which lies about six miles southwest of the village of Kirkpatrick. There is a postoffice at the village, and a daily delivery and dispatch...

The amount of the population residing in the different villages may be thus estimated: In Kirkpatrick-Durham - 500; In Bridge of Orr - 47; In Crocketford, (so far as connected with this parish) - 88. Total amount of population in villages - 635; Total in country - 852; Total amount of population - 1487....

It is bounded by the parishes of Urr and Crossmichael, on the south; by Parton and Balmaclellan, on the west; by Glencairn and Dunscore, on the north; and by Holywood and Kirkpatrick Irongray, on the east....."

Rev. George Greig, Minister, New Statistical Account, Blackwood.

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Bibliography

History, Kirkcudbrightshire: The New Statistical Account of Scotland, 2nd Series, W Blackwood, 1845.

History, Kirkcudbrightshire: Rev. William A. Stark, The Book of Kirkpatrick - Durham, Kirkcudbrightshire (Castle-Douglas:Adam Rae, 1903) filmed copy in LDS library collection.

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Cemeteries

The Church Yard of Kirkpatrick Durham has had pre-1855 monumental inscriptions transcribed and indexed. The index and transcribed inscriptions are included in a series of volumes that cover all of Kirkcudbrightshire. Kirkpatrick Durham is in volume 4. Refer to the county page for additional details.

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Church History

"The church is situated in the southern extremity of the parish. It was built in 1748 , and bears all the marks of its early date....

Before the late secession from the Establishment, the numbers connected with the different religious societies might have been stated as follows; Established Church, 1284; Dissenters and Seceders, 158; Episcopalians, 12; Roman Catholic, 12. Among the Dissenters and Seceders in the preceding table, are included two aged individuals, a man and a woman, resident at Crocketford, the last venerable remnant of a fanatical sect, the followers of a woman named Buchan, who arose in Aryshire about forty years ago.....

Crocketford, A Free Church has been lately erected in the village, which is attended by a large proportion of the People."

New Statistical Account, Blackwood.

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Church Records

Church of Scotland records are held at the General Register Office in Edinburgh. Copies of the pairsh register on microfilm may be consulted in LDS Family History Centres around the world. Refer to the county page for additional details.

Records AvailableBaptismMarriageBurialReference
Church of Scotland1693-18541694-1704 1837-18541837-1842OPR 874

Kirk Session Notes: The Kirk Session records for the parish start in 1694, and continue till 1807. (CH2 231)

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Description & Travel

You can see pictures of Kirkpatrick-Durham which are provided by:

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Gazetteers

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History

Chapter IX from the book, Kirkpatrick-Durham provides some information on the state of affairs in the region in the eighteenth century.

 

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Maps

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference NX791751 (Lat/Lon: 55.055527, -3.893888), Kirkpatrick-Durham which are provided by: