ISLE OF COLONSAY FAMILY HISTORY
THIS SITE PROVIDES CENSUS INFORMATION, ALSO BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, DEATHS, GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTIONS, SHIPPING LISTS AND OTHER MATERIAL OF USE IN TRACING ANCESTRAL LINKS TO THE BEAUTIFUL INNER HEBRIDEAN ISLAND OF COLONSAY
COLONSAY CAN CLAIM TO BE THE ONLY LITTER-FREE ISLAND - HELP US KEEP OUR COASTLINE CLEAN
Come to Colonsay, enjoy our four-star holiday cottages |
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Colonsay Tourism Marketing Group has a full list of accommodation - see VisitColonsay
COLONSAY FAMILY HISTORY RESOURCES - a brief introduction to the factors that shaped Colonsay's social history.
THE OLD PARISH REGISTER - this is the key document and it lists all Baptisms 1796-1855, all Marriages 1796-1854 and Deaths 1848 - 1854.
COLONSAY BAPTISMS 1796-1855 - note that Baptism may well have taken place weeks, months or even years after the actual birth, and that the spelling of names is not consistent. This is the Register of the Church of Scotland and may not include individuals linked to the Congregationalist or Baptist persuasion. Transcription was by Kevin Byrne and should be verified.
COLONSAY BAPTISMS 1881 - 1911 - during the 1850s the government began to record Births, Marriages and Deaths by appointing an official Registrar. The church records in Colonsay were not kept properly at first, but new registers for local Baptisms and Marriages exist from the 1880s. Any records published here will not include living persons, but perhaps could be brought forward every ten years or so if the relevant Session Clerk permits. Transcription was by Kevin Byrne and should be verified.
COLONSAY DEATHS 1848 - 1854 - note that since this brief but poignant period includes some of the years of famine, potato blight and tuberculosis.
CENSUS RECORDS - these commenced in 1841 and were taken nearly every decade until the present day. It is possible to trace families over long periods and to identify occupations and place of residence etc. Where there are two links for an entry, one is for official text and the other lists the names. Transcription was by Kevin Byrne and should be verified. 1841a 1841b 1851a 1851b 1861a 1861b 1871a 1871b 1881a 1881b 1891a 1891b 1901a 1901b 1911 See also this note to the 1851 census.
CENSUS RECORD OF MIGRATION - through the generosity of a well-wisher, we have an extraordinarily helpful window into 1881. In addition to the normal census for that year, we have two further resources. These are lists of everyone living in Scotland in that year who gave their place of birth as having been in Colonsay, and this list of true-borne Colonsay covers those who by 1881 were living in The HIghlands and those who had moved to The Lowlands.
GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTIONS - the gravestone inscriptions can be very hard to read, due to the magnificent covering of lichen. The inscriptions were carefully transcribed ca. 1980, at a time when Scotland was exposed to high levels of pollution and most of the lichen had been killed or weakened by "acid rain" (sulphur dioxde). It is hoped that the transcription will help visitors to locate any grave of personal interest. Please do not be tempted to disturb or damage the lichen, which is recovering but remains vulnerable. Gravestones in Colonsay and those in Oransay.
ONE-NAME REGISTER - a list of the 33 family names in late 18th century Colonsay and the opportunity to exchange information with other researchers.
THE COLONSAY EMIGRANT REGISTER - a list of known emigrants which provides a chance for researchers to connect and exchange information.
WW1 - Note by Alan Davis on Colonsay persons who served and survived in the Great War.
Monographs is available if anyone chooses to submit monographs, biographies or essays about Colonsay deceased individuals, whether famous heroes, lairds or quite ordinary folk - they are all of equal interest. If a few people were to contribute, this might be the basis of a Colonsay Biographical Dictionary. Would you like to immortalise your own grandparents?
Notes and Queries is where we can display general messages, requests for information and so forth.
Colonsay Links - this is intended to provide handy links for Colonsay researchers, and suggestions are welcome.
Colonsay Bookshop - do call in, there is a wide selection of Colonsay material in stock.
Coming soon:
Colonsay residents in 1625, taken from records of the Vatican
Ship lists for "Spencer", "Economy" etc. when available.
HOTELS TO CONSIDER ON YOUR WAY TO AND FROM COLONSAY (ask Reservations about the "Islanders Rate"):
THE CRIANLARICH HOTEL - 3 Star accommodation with an excellent reputation (see TripAdvisor).
This is ideal accommodation for motorists being barely an hour from Oban or Glasgow yet in the very heart of the Highlands. Make sure to mention Colonsay because it is owned by the Byrne family, resident in Colonsay since 1978, and you will be sure of an even warmer welcome.
Under the same ownership and management as Best Western Crianlarich Hotel (above), this is a very attractive house in the Arts & Crafts style offering accommodation for couples and families in a less formal setting.
THE INVERARAY INN - 3 Star accommodation in one of Scotland's most historic inns, in the 18th century model town of Inveraray, home to the Dukes of Argyll
Some people prefer to take the road to Oban via the Rest and be Thankful (a famous pass), partly because of its beauty and partly to avoid heavy traffic and a winding road at Loch Lomond. This route brings you past Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, and gives a chance to visit Inveraray Castle (in season), also Inveraray Jail and the outstanding Woollen Shop at Inveraray. The Bell Tower, the magnificent Court House and the 18th century church are all of interest, and are only enhanced by the warm welcome and hospitality that await you at the Inn. Make sure to mention Colonsay, because this hotel is also owned by the Byrne family and offers discounts to persons travelling to or from the Isles.
A very comfortable hotel at Whitburn (near Bathgate), which is convenient to Edinburgh Airport and to both Glasgow and Edinburgh cities. If you find parking in Edinburgh to be a problem, you could consider staying at The Hilcroft Hotel and commuting by fast, frequent trains into the heart if the city. Waverley Station is convenient to Princes Street for shopping, and to the Scottish Record Office if you are carrying out research.
This site is provided by Kevin and Christa Byrne. It is intended to help people who might be researching family links wit the Isle of Colonsay. Your privacy in using this site is important to us - please see details here.
This link leads to our own self-catering Vacations Site, including tariffs etc. www.colonsay.eu
