To continue on from the survey of the Old Parochial Records, here are a few examples of just how good they can be and I advise everyone to always check the original sourse. Ancestry is good but they only record the bare facts and very often the spelling mistakes begger belief.
From the records of Pettinain I found this gem -
An entry found among the baptisms for 1811.
(Baptised) - Agnes White, daughter of John White, soldier in the 1st or Royal Dragoons & Jean Weir his spouse, was born at Dundalk, County of Louth Ireland, 10th March 1808 & baptised the same month. Witnesses of the baptism were Thomas Roper, Sergeant & John Homer private in the same regiment.
WANDALL & LAMINGTON 659.
The last book on the reel, 659/4 has births marriages & deaths entered at random and end at 1856. Here is an example of a death entry.
December 10th 1833. Died this morning aged 66. Mary Carmichael a pauper in the village, widow of James Murdoch weaver in Lamington. She was a martyr to rheumatism upwards of 20 years & was much deformed in consequence of her troubles.
Buried in Lamington on Thursday 12th.
OLD MONKLAND 652.
Baptism 27th June 1703. Marrion, daughter of Alexander Baird in Bellshill of Bothwell, presented by her Grandfather Alexander Baird because of his son not being absolved from the scandal of fornication.
(No Mothers’ names given in baptism entries until about 1790.)
And from the Lanark records -
Baptism 1806. Horatio Nelson, lawful son to Robert Scot and Mary Forrest, born 16th June & baptised 5th October 1806.
Baptism 1807. Jane, lawful daughter to Norman Lockhart esquire at Lea and Philadelphia and Barbara McMurdo. Born 9th January and baptised 29th January 1807.
The following five entries were all made together in 1807.
David Dale, lawful son to Robert Owen esq and Anne Carolina Dale. Born 24th June and baptised 6th September 1807.
Robert Dale, lawful son to the above Robert Owen and Anne Caroline Dale was born at Glasgow 7th November 1801.
William, lawful son to the above Robert Owen and Anne Caroline Dale was born at Glasgow 17th December 1702.
Anne Caroline, lawful daughter to the forsaid Robert Owen and Anne Caroline Dale was born at Glasgow 13th January 1805.
Jane Dale, lawful daughter the above Robert Owen and Anne Caroline Dale, was born at Glasgow 29th December 1805.
PROCLAMATION OF BANNS. 1799. Robert Owen, New Lanark and Anne Caroline Dale, Glasgow. Proclaimed the 29th September 1799 for the first & last time.
Robert Owen 1771 – 1858. Born Powys, Wales. In 1800 he became the manager & part owner of New Lanark cotton mills where he set up a welfare programme and established a “model community.” His Father-in-law was David Dale the great philanthropist and founder of New Lanark.
Robert Dale Owen 1801 – 1877. A social reformer. In 1825 he accompanied his Father to America to help set up the New Harmony colony in Indiana. In 1829 he moved to New York City, where he edited the Free Enquirer. In 1832 he became a member of the Indiana legislature and entered Congress in 1843. He later became U.S. ambassador to India (1855-58). He was a great advocate of emancipation of slaves.