From the archives: Killearnan records reveal fascinating glimpse into a sometimes hard life
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The Parish of Killearnan – from the Gaelic Cill-Iurnain – and the records of Killearnan Parochial Board/Parish Council are among archives that relate to the history of the various parishes around the Highland capital.
Recognised as part of the Black Isle and situated to the south east of Ross and Cromarty, Killearnan covers an area of 7735 acres.
Those who were unable to support themselves were eligible to apply for help – this included the elderly, the young and those with a mental or physical disability (including pregnancy).
The parish is five miles long (east to west) and four miles at its widest. It is bounded to the west by Urray, to the north by Urquhart and Logie Wester and to the north east and east by Knockbain. To the south lies the Beauly Firth.
Highland Archive Centre holds parish council records for parishes in Ross and Cromarty, Inverness, Sutherland as well as some for Moray and Nairn.
Among other things, the parish council records dealt with the claims from people applying for poor relief. The Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 established Parochial Boards (later Parish Councils) in each parish to administer funds for the poor, gradually removing the responsibility from the church.
Those who were unable to support themselves were eligible to apply for help – this included the elderly, the young and those with a mental or physical disability (including pregnancy).
The main sets of records created were Applications for Relief, Parochial Board Minute Books and General Registers of Poor.
Applications for Relief record requests for assistance and include details of the applicant such as name, age, marital status, occupation, nature of disability and the result of the application.
The Parochial Board Minute Books detail the debate about whether relief should be granted. The General Register of Poor lists people whose applications were successful either for In Relief (in the Poorhouse) or Out Relief (money given in their own home).
The General Register contains detailed information about the applicant, lists all help given and records the nature of settlement (the person’s entitlement to claim relief from that particular parish) – entitlement could be claimed through birth, marriage or long-term residency in a parish.
The archive centre only has one minute book for Killearnan Parish Council, covering 1910-1929 but the information it contains is fascinating.
Quite often, those applying for relief did not receive monetary help, but would receive help in the form of clothes, repairs to their houses or other items. For example, at a meeting held on October 21, 1910, it was decided that:
- Mary MacDonald was allowed one blanket.
- John Macleay was allowed one pair of boots.
- Ann MacDonald was allowed repairs to thatch of house.
- James MacGregor was allowed a mattress.
Sometimes the decision was made to admit claimants into the local Poor House or, when necessary, the Inverness District Asylum, all of which are detailed in the minute books. Due to the sensitive nature of the information, these records are subject to a 100-year closure period.
Due to Covid-19 archive centre is closed until further notice. Email archives@highlifehighland.com for more.
