Cranshaws is a parish at the middle of the northern verge of Berwickshire, but consisting of two parts, the larger lying south of the smaller at the average distance of 1¼ miles. The northern part is bounded on the north and west by East Lothian, and on the east and south by the parish of Longformacus, and is of nearly a square figure. On the north and east this section has for its boundary line Whitadder water. The southern section is bounded on the north and east by Longformacus, on the south by Westruther, and on the west by Lauder and Longformacus. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Cranshaws
The parish of Cranshaws had one detached part which was bounded on north and east by the parish of Longformacus. An exchange of territory was effected between these parishes. The detached part of Cranshaws was transferred to Longformacus, while a portion of Longformacus was transferred to Cranshaws. The latter portion may in general terms be described as the portion of Longformacus north of the course of the River Whitadder, from the main portion of Cranshaws parish on the west to Ellem Inn on the east. See affected properties and landholders. (1892: Boundary of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government Act, 1889, by Hay Shennan)
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The church was dedicated to St Ninian. A new building was erected in 1739, at a considerable distance from the older site. This church was restored in 1900.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
(1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Parish registers turned over to the Registrar-General, as a result of the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Scotland) Act of 1854. The letters B. D. and M. indicate Births (or Baptisms), Deaths (or Burials), and Marriages (or Proclamations of Banns) respectively. Numbers indicate separate volumes or books. Note: These records are by no means complete or without damage; consult the Detailed List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland (1872) to learn more about the condition of the records.
| OPR and RD Numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date Range | Name | Number | Type |
| 1731-1854 | Cranshaws | 734 | OPR |
| 1855-1966 | Cranshaws | 734 | RD |
| 2009 | Scottish Borders, Duns | 785 | RD |
| 2026 | Scottish Borders Council; Lammermuir Community Council | ||
(2009: Parishes and Registration Districts of Scotland - Old and New, National Records of Scotland)
Local community councils (2026) are provided as a potential source of additional information for settlements within the original boundaries of the parish. (Source)
Statistics from informal and official censuses
Buckham, Crombie, Gillies, Grant, Patterson, Pringle, Purves, Robertson, Turner, Young
Note: Names appearing in research materials, other than censuses. Simple names (First name, surname only) have been omitted unless they appear associated with large properties. All women's names, and men's names with occupations, military ranks, or peerage titles are included.
By the Reverend Mr George Drummond.
"There are only 164 inhabitants in the parish, of whom 84 are males and 80 females. About 50 or 60 years ago there were above 16 farmers in the parish; the whole is now in the possession of 3 only."
(This section contains excerpts, at times restructured or paraphrased, from an article appearing in Statistical Account of Scotland, Sir John Sinclair, 1791-1799)
Primary Sources:
Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-1799), Volume 6, p. 436
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 2, Section III, p. 99
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
