Brechin’s History - Resources For Researchers
Introduction
There are many resources available for the study of Brechin’s past. Some are held in Brechin Library while many others are housed in Angus Archives in Montrose. There are also many other sources available in the National Archives of Scotland, such as Kirk Session records.
Genealogy sources
Brechin Library holds a good range of genealogical sources such as Old Parish Registers and the census (1841-1901) on microfilm plus the International Genealogical Index on microfiche. Angus Archives holds many of these also plus indexes to the 1841, 1851 and 1881 census.
Newspapers
Brechin Advertiser and Angus and Mearns Intelligencer is available on microfilm in Brechin Library from 1848 to 1880. After 1880 it continues as the Brechin Advertiser to the present day. Some earlier Brechin information is contained within the Montrose Review, available from 1811, and which can be used in Montrose Library on microfilm.
Newspapers are an invaluable source of local history - why?
Maps
Brechin Library holds a collection of Brechin area maps, mainly Ordnance Survey. Angus Archives holds some Ordnance Survey maps and a bound copy of the 1865 Ordnance Survey one inch to one mile map. This shows the town and parish of Brechin in great detail.
Archival sources held within Angus Archives
Brechin Town Council records
Brechin has a large collection of Town Council records, dating from 1672 to 1975. These records include Town Council minutes, police commissioner records, licensing, housing, charities, legal documents, honourary burgesses, medieval charters etc. The first Brechin Town Council minute book has been transcribed and is available in the reference collection of Angus Archives. A complete list of the records of Brechin Town Council [PDF 36K] is available online.
Angus County Council records
Education
Brechin Burgh Board records are extant from 1897 - 1919, and Brechin Parish School Board from 1873 - 1919.
Records have survived for:
Brechin Damacre Road School (City Road): log book, 1873-1968; admission register 1874-1968.
Brechin Half Time School (Union Street): log book,1883-1903
NB School records are kept in the store and MUST be ordered in advance. They are also subject to the Data Protection Act.
Poor relief records are available for Brechin and are subject to the Data Protection Act. They are kept in the store and MUST be ordered in advance.
Burial records
Angus Archives holds some burial records for the Brechin area. The earliest records are photocopies of burials in Brechin Cathedral 1782-1832. These are indexed.
In addition the following records are available through Angus Archives within Brechin Town Council records:
- Brechin Parish Council minute book - cemetery committee, 1895-1946
- Brechin Cemetery Joint Committee minute book, 1946-1974
- Brechin Cemetery cash book, 1856-1893
- Brechin burial board cash book, 1894-1962
- Burial Ground ledger, 1879-1943
- Brechin cemetery lair book H-M - indexed, 1871-1903
- Internment Fees book, 1943-1958
- Brechin Cathedral burial book, 1870-1953
- Cemetery Scroll cash book - wages etc, 1949-1974
- Letter book - indexed, 1933-1941
- Brechin Cemetery inventory book, 1951-1983
- Index to Brechin Burial Ground, 1857-1895
Burial records are more usually held by the Burial Section of Angus Council’s Leisure Services. Further information on Brechin burials should be sought from the Burial Section of Leisure Services, Angus Council, at 01307 473225.
Angus Archives Miscellaneous Collection (MS)
There are many Brechin items in the Miscellaneous collection. The larger collections inc
- City Road United Presbyterian Church, Brechin 1764-1868, MS 6
- Brechin Total Abstinence Society, 1853-1963, MS 34
- Brechin Dispensary 1823-1870, MS 36
- Brechin Old Wrights Society, 1625- 1885, MS 44
- David Dakers Black, Town Clerk of Brechin, 1866, MS 45
- David Spence, Town Clerk of Brechin, style book1691, MS 49
- Frederick A. Ferguson, Town Clerk of Brechin, 1925-1959, MS 59
- Brechin Infant School 1835-1858, MS 112
- Brechin City Improvement Association, 1908-1985, MS 169
- Brechin Mechanics Institute, 1843-1895, MS 187
- David Waterson papers, MS 510
- Speid of Ardovie papers, 1689-1861, MS 413
- Molison family of Brechin, 1764-1812, MS 417
- Andrew Jervise papers, 1869-1878, MS 445
- Jamieson and Cunningham family of London and Brechin, 1912-1949, Ms 473
- Brechin Burns Club, 1901-1967, MS 477
- Christian Sherriff papers, 1865-1867, MS 526
- Brechin Conveners Court, 1652-1875, MS 498
- Brechin Guildry, 1629-1845, MS 500
- Brechin Shoemakers Incorporation, 1600-1885, MS491
- Brechin Tailors Incorporation, 1660-1885, MS 494
- Brechin Weavers Incorporation, 1769-1878, MS 503
Other Brechin resources available in Angus Archives
Indexes
- Burgesses, 1710-1974
- Burgesses prior to 1680 compiled from Brechin Episcopal Documents
- Brechin Episcopal Documents, 1309-1698
- Brechin Cathedral Burial Ground index, 1782 - 1953
- Brechin Dean of Guild plans 1890-1975
- Brechin Hammermen's Book 1600-1762: index of names
- Brechin Dean of Guild 1600-1829: database of surnames
Brechin Photograph Collection
The Archives holds hundreds of images of the town of Brechin and its people, from the late 19th century to more recently. The collection also includes some antiquarian prints. Photographic images include street views, industry, Provosts, historic buildings, and local characters
This collection has not yet been indexed. Images of Brechin people included in local history publications are accessible through the Image Index.
New additions to the photographic collection are always welcome.
Reproductions of copyright free photographs are available. Please request a price list.
Brechin Research Files
The Archives has a growing collection of files on many aspects of Brechin including industry, commerce, personalities, historic buildings, recreation and many other topics. They are an excellent place to commence research.
The Angus Archives team is happy to answer any queries relating to Brechin sources. Contact us on angus.archives@angus.gov.uk
© Angus Council 1998 - 2008