Kirriemuir’s History - Resources For Researchers
Introduction
There are many resources available for the study of Kirriemuir's past. Some are held in Kirriemuir Library while many others are housed in Angus Archives at Restenneth Priory.
Genealogy sources
Kirriemuir 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 most of these also.
Newspapers
Various Kirriemuir newspapers are available on microfilm in Kirriemuir Library. The titles held are:
| Kirriemuir Free Press | 1915 - 1975 1885, 1901-1975 (Except 1903,07, 09, 21, 38) |
Microfilm*, Indexed Bound |
| Volumes 1943-47, 1949, 1956, 1913 - 1975 (Except 1914, 21, 38, 43, 47, 49,56) | Require to be rebound | |
| Kirriemuir Herald | 1957 - Now | Microfilm* Indexed |
| August 1984-1986 | Bound | |
| 1987-Now | Unbound, in store, boxed | |
| Kirriemuir Observer & Braes of Angus Reporter | March 1874 - July 1874 | Microfilm* Indexed |
| Kirriemuir Observer & General Advertiser | 1918 - 1949 | Microfilm* Indexed |
| Kirriemuir Observer & Local Advertiser | 1884 - March 1885 | Microfilm* Indexed |
The card index is available and covers from 1884 to the late 1980s
Voters Rolls
Kirriemuir voters for 1855, 1860 - 1894 are contained within Oliver and Boyd's Edinburgh Almanac Angus and Mearns Supplement which are available in Forfar Library and in Angus Archives.
Valuation Rolls
Kirriemuir entries have been extracted from Valuation Rolls for 1856, 1908-9, 1919-20, 1922-23, 1924-25, 1926-27. Angus Archives holds a larger collection of county and burgh Valuation Rolls.
Maps
Kirriemuir Library has a small collection of maps comprising of a photographic reproduction of Ainslie's map of Angus and some Ordnance Survey maps.
Some archival sources held within Angus Archives
Kirriemuir Council records
Kirriemuir become a burgh late in the 19th century and burgh records date from 1898. Kirriemuir has a collection of town council minute books, police commissioner records, Dean of Guild papers, Town Chamberlain abstract of accounts, assessment rolls and valuation rolls.
Angus County Council records
This record series includes education and poor relief records for Kirriemuir.
Education
Few school records have survived for Kirriemuir: surviving records include:
| ACC6/58 | Webster and Hendrie Educational Endowment, 1899-1937 |
| ACC6/173 | Westmuir School, 1865-1875 |
| ACC6/177 | Westmuir 1899-1951 |
| ACC6/146 | Reform Street School, 1902-1977 |
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
Kirriemuir Poor Relief general register of the poor, 1838-1931 (indexed)
NB// 20th century poor relief records are subject to the Data Protection Act. Items out with a closure period must be ordered in advance. Please consult archive staff for details.
Burial records
Kirriemuir burial records are now available online at www.deceasedonline.com
Other Kirriemuir resources available in Angus Archives including:
| ACC6/62/49 | Titles and papers regarding superiority of Estate of Glasswell, near Kirriemuir, including lands of Knowhead and ground at Pathhead, acquired by Forfarshire Education Authority from James Cowpar's Trustees in 1926 including a chartulary and particulars of the estate of Glaswell, 1894 |
| MS133 | Roup roll for the belongings of the late Alexander Grieve, Meikle Miln, Kirriemuir, 1750 |
| MS257 | James McPherson, Kirriemuir, collection of manuscript music by professional musician James Scott Skinner (1843-1927), 1906 - 1916 |
| MS258 | J. M. Barrie letters, 1906-1918 |
| MS595 | Kirriemuir Anniversary Celebrations Eighty-Five (A.C.E.), 1985 |
| MS620/2/107 | Letter from Thomas Ogilvy, Kirriemuir to William Baillie, Montrose, concerning payments of the kirk, 19 June 1787 |
| MS720 | Wilkie and Dundas Collection |
| MS762 | Decreet of division of the South Muir of Kirriemuir or Liftie and decreet of expenses of Thomas Duncan, writer in Edinburgh, 1816 |
| MS881/3 | Estate plans of Logie and Kinclune |
| Kirriemuir Kirk Session minute books on microfilm |
Indexes
Surname indexes are available for the following items in the Angus Archives search room:
| 01:941 | People Image Index |
| 01:941 | Buildings Index |
| 01:941 | Jacobites of Angus, 1745: name index |
| 45:324.241 | Registered electors in Kirriemuir, 1855, 1860-1866: name index |
| 45:929.2 | List of Barrie's in the Kirriemuir Old Parish records |
| 45:929.3 | Kirriemuir United associate Congregation baptismal registers, 1828-147 |
| 45:929.3 | Kirriemuir register of marriages from the Kirk Session records, 1805-1814 |
| 45:929.3 | People of Kirriemuir 1600-1699 by David Dobson |
| 45:941 | Regality of Kirriemuir name index |
| 45:B/Fyf | Droving in the diary: name index |
| 01:929.3 | Pre-1855 Gravestones of Angus: Strathmore area |
Kirriemuir Photograph Collection
Angus Archives holds a growing collection of images of Kirriemuir people, places and events from the late 19th century to more recently. Photographic images include street views, industry, Provosts, historic buildings, and local characters. Images of Kirriemuir people included in local history publications are also 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 from Angus Archives
Kirriemuir Research Files
Angus Archives maintains a growing collection of files on many aspects of Kirriemuir 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 Kirriemuir resources.
© Angus Council 1998 - 2011