The Free Church Records of Durness
From 18th May 1843 – end 1855
The Disruption of 1843 affected the parish of Durness when the Reverend William Findlater was one of those ministers who came out followed by a great majority of his congregation. For a few years they had neither church nor manse and were compelled to worship in the open. Eventually a site was obtained at Sangomore on which a church, manse and school were erected.
The Rev. William Findlater of Durness, Sutherland, who, with his son, the Rev. Eric J. Findlater of Lochearnhead, suffered untold hardships during the year of the Disruption until the ministers signed the deed of separation from the Established Church.
It is also recorded locally that the Manse at Sangomore was haunted. The Reverend Findlater is documented as being much perplexed on account of the strange and unnatural phenomena. He became troubled in spirit.
Despite all their problems the Free Church of Durness kept a register of the births, baptisms and marriages from 18th May 1843
The Register of Births and Marriages from that date till the end of 1855 has been transcribed by Angi Lamb, Edinburgh. A huge thanks to her for sharing this work with us.
We have two files, one for births and baptisms and one for marriages. Both are in PDF format for which you will need Adobe Reader to view.
You may either read them by clicking below or if you wish you can save a copy by opening the file and then use FILE, SAVE A COPY.
Photograph above Sangomore
Last updated 20th April 2010
This website and all content, graphics, text, etc are the property
of and copyrighted to Christine Stokes and are for your viewing pleasure
only. Please do not remove information to include on other websites. If
you wish to link to this website please do so by emailing me for
reciprocal linking - absolutely no hot linking allowed.