Two sets of records, the Old Parish Registers and the 1694 Hearth Tax Records, have been especially useful for researching the various McAuslands who were living in Dunbartonshire prior to 1711. In addition to these original records, secondary sources such as Monumental Inscriptions have also been consulted.

However, as will be seen below, the coverage of the various parishes in these records is very different, especially so for Row parish. In the 1694 Hearth Tax Records, 25 of the 33 McAuslands (76%), were living in Row parish, but Baptismal registers did not begin there until 1758, meaning that there is a considerable gap in our knowledge.

The 1694 Hearth Tax Records

We will look first at the Hearth Tax Records, as these are less well known than the OPRs (Old Parish Registers) and in this case they provide considerable useful information at a time when some parishes of interest had yet to start recording baptisms.

In 1690 Parliament granted a tax of 14 shillings on every hearth within the kingdom, for one year in order to raise money for the army. The Hearth Tax Rolls provide clues about the size of each building, place, estate or parish in the late 17th century. Heads of households of each building having hearths were liable for a tax of 14 shillings, payable at Candlemas 1691, and only hospitals and the poor were exempt. There were huge difficulties in collecting the tax, particularly in the Highlands, and attempts to collect the tax went on in some parts of Scotland went on until 1695.

The Hearth tax records for Dunbartonshire contains a list of householders liable for hearth tax in Dunbartonshire in 1694. Although some 17 years before the letter to Oliver McCausland of Strabane was written, these records are useful documents as we have found a total of 33 McAuslands listed, 30 of them by name. Of these, 25 were in the parish of Row, six in Luss, one in Cardross and one in Rosneath.

Some of these, including the Baron (Alexander, 24th & last Baron in our reckoning) would have died by 1711. However we know that at least some of those who were assessed in 1694 were still alive in 1711. One of these was “Humphra McCauslune in Innerlarran“, an Elder of the Kirk, who lived on until 20th February 1727, when he may have been aged around 80.

Luss Parish

The Luss Hearth Tax records are very useful as the place of residence is mentioned. The records begin with the description:

Ane list of the herors [heritors] Lifrentirs & vthrs [others] within the paroch of luss 
there hearths & quantitie therof as Follows:

At the top of the list there appears the “Laird of Luss” (Sir Humphrey Colquhoun, 5th Baronet Colquhoun) with his 22 hearths; and then his gardener with one hearth.

Imp [Imprimis] The Laird Luss in his own house and office houss [houses] — 22 hearths
John Crawfurd gardiner — 1

In Luss parish there appear to be six McAuslands listed, with four of them being named:

1. Allexander McCauslane of Caldenah (i.e. the last Baron)
2. John McCauslan in Prestilach & his son.
3. John McCauslan in Caldenah & his son.
4. Humphra McCauslune in Innerlarran (alive in 1711)
   (Note that John Causlan in Caldenoch is not specifically named, but the ” mark means ditto and other similar examples suggest that there was firstly, a John McCauslan in Prestilach (along with his unnamed son) and then a second John McCauslan, this time in Caldenah (presumably also along with his unnamed son).

Humphra mccauslune & John mckinlay in Innerlarran
Records Historical Tax Rolls Hearth tax records 1691-1695 Hearth tax records for Dunbartonshire E69/7/1/22
Copyright National Records of Scotland.

Row Parish

Unfortunately, the records from Row parish (not shown) do not name the specific properties. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that the properties were assessed from north to south: “Hearth Tax returns for Row Parish list names of persons with hearths, but unfortunately do not give locations. Glasgow-based Norman Easton, whose great grandfather (times 5), Patrick McInturner, was the tenant at Tombuie, has argued convincingly that in fact the list appears to form a progression, working southwards from the northern extremity of the Parish.” (The history and survey of Sròn Mallanach settlement in Argyll. Alistair McIntyre (History) and Tam Ward (Archaeology) North Clyde Archeology Society.)

There were no less than 25 McAuslands assessed for Hearth Tax in Row parish:

1. In an unnamed area of the parish, there are 13 McCauslanes listed: Patrick, Duncan, Robert, Archibald, Neill, John, Archibald, Duncan, Dougald, Dougald, John, Dougald, & John. 
2. In Auchinvenall’s Lands there are three: Archibald mccauslane, John McCauslane and a second, unnamed McCauslane
3. In Ardingaple’s Lands there are nine: Aulay, Robert, Dougald, Patrick, Robert, Patrick, Dougald, Allexander & Duncan.

As discussed in previous articles, known McAusland residences in Glen Fruin included the farmsteads of Stuckidow, and the Kilbrides (Easter and Wester).

Cardross parish

Under Kilmahew’s Lands there is a William McAuslan “in Auchinsaill houses“.

The fact that there were McAuslands at Kilmahew in 1694 is interesting. Patrick McAusland, 22nd Baron of Caldenoch in our reckoning, was the grandson of Peter Napier, Baron of Kilhahew, who was killed at the Battle of Glen Fruin on 7th February 1603. However, whether William McAuslan was a descendant of the Napiers of Kilmahew is not known.

Rosneath parish

There is a John Mcausland listed at “Peitoun Letter and [Lyndmallen] house“.

Bonhill parish

Although Bonhill is contigious with Row and Cardross parishes, there are no McAuslands listed in the 1694 Hearth Tax Records.

Kilmaranoch, Tarbett & other Dunbartsonshire parishes

No McAuslands listed.

It is interesting to note that the assessment of Dunbartonshire ends with: “Ther is to be deduced of runawayes to Irland and elsqhr [elsquhair] seventie on.” (71).

The Old Parish Registers

Another, more commonly consulted source is the Old Parish Registers of Births & Baptisms, Banns & Marriages & Burials & Deaths. These can be consulted at ScotlandsPeople. The indexes are free to consult, but credits must be purchased in order to view the records.

Although there was a requirement from 1552 that Church of Scotland parishes should record baptisms and marriages, many did not commence until much later. The oldest Church of Scotland register dates from 1553 (births & banns from Errol parish), however in Dunbartonshire the earliest records of births and baptisms start much later.

For Bonhill parish, the first baptismal record is in 1676, with the first McAusland baptism being recorded in 1683.

For Cardross parish, the first baptismal record is in 1681, with the first McAusland baptism being recorded that same year.

For Kilmaronock parish, the first baptismal record is in 1686, with the first McAusland baptism being recorded in 1704.

For Luss parish, the first baptismal record is in 1698, with the first McAusland baptism being recorded that same year.

Unfortunately, other parish registers do not start until well after the 1711 letter was sent.

For Rosneath parish, the first baptismal record is in 1722, with the first McAusland baptism being recorded 1723.

For Row parish, where 25 of the 31 McAuslands listed in the 1694 Hearth Tax Records were based, the baptismal records do not begin until 1758, with the first McAusland baptism being recorded 1760.

McAusland Baptisms Recorded in Dunbartonshire to 1711

Surname	Forename	Parents	Birth Date	Parish
MCAUSLAN	MARY	DUNCAN MCAUSLAN/ MCFARLANE	00/00/1681	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	PATRICK	JOHN MCAUSLANE/CHIRSTINE MCWATTIE	17/07/1681	Cardross
MCASLAN	JOHN	DUNCAN MCASLAN/	09/07/1682	Dumbarton
MCCAUSLAND	BESSIE	PATRICK MCCAUSLAND/MARIE MALCOM	15/04/1683	Bonhill
MCCAUSLAND	ANNA	PATRICK MCCAUSLAND/MARIE MCALOM	26/10/1684	Bonhill
MCAUSLAN	KATHARIN	DUNCAN MCAUSLAN/MARGARET FINLAY	26/12/1685	Dumbarton
MCCAUSLAND	ISSOBEL	PATRICK MCCAUSLAND/MARIE MCALOM	05/06/1687	Bonhill
MCAUSLANE	CHRISTINE	DUNCAN MCAUSLANE/CHRISTINE MCFARLANE	18/06/1688	Cardross
MCCAUSLANE	ALEXANDER	DUNCAN MCCAUSLANE/MARGARET FINLAY	06/12/1688	Dumbarton
MCAUSLANE	LILLIAS	WILLIAM MCAUSLANE/MARGRAT MARTINE	15/06/1690	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	ALEXANDER	JOHN MCAUSLANE/CHIRSTINE MCWATIE	03/08/1690	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	JEAN	DUNCAN MCAUSLANE/	25/01/1691	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	CHRISTINE	JOHN MCAUSLANE/ISABELL SMITH	31/05/1691	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	PATRICK	PATRICK MCAUSLANE/MARY GILLESPIE	20/08/1691	Cardross
MCASLANE	JONET	DUNCAN MCASLANE/MARGARET FINLAY	09/07/1692	Dumbarton
MCAUSLANE	MARGRAT	WILLIAM MCAUSLANE/MARGRAT MARTINE	06/11/1692	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	CHIRSTINE	WILLIAM MCAUSLANE/MARGRAT MARTINE	26/05/1695	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	ROBERT	WILLIAM MCAUSLANE/MARGRAT MARTINE	06/03/1698	Cardross
MCAUSLAND	DOUGALL	JOHN MCAUSLAND/MARIE MCFARLANE	01/06/1698	Luss
MCAUSLAND	MARIE	JOHN MCAUSLAND/JANNET GLEN FR9 YEAR ASSUMED (FR9)	23/10/1698	Luss
MCAUSLAND	JOHN	HUMPHREY MCAUSLAND/JEAN MCHUTCHON	19/03/1699	Luss
MCAUSLAND	HUMPHREY	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/MARJORY GLEN FR11 YEAR ASSUMED (FR11)	15/10/1699	Luss
MCAUSLAND	KATHRINE	ARCHIBALD MCAUSLAND/JEAN GAY	14/01/1700	Luss
MCAUSLAND	—–	JOHN MCAUSLAND/	06/10/1700	Luss
MCAUSLANE	JOHN	JOHN MCAUSLANE/ISOBELL GLEN	17/08/1701	Luss

Surname	Forename	Parents	Birth Date	Parish
MCAUSLAN	ELIZABETH	ARCHIBALD MCAUSLAN/JEAN GAY FR13 (FR13)	22/03/1703	Luss
MCAUSLAND	THOMAS	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/JANET CAMPBLE	02/07/1704	Kilmaronock
MCAUSLAND	MARIE	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/ELIZABETH MCINTYRE	14/01/1705	Luss
MCAUSLAND	DUNCAN	JOHN MCAUSLAND/JANNET GLEN	17/02/1705	Luss
MCAUSLAND	JOHN	ANDREW MCAUSLAND/JEAN GAY FR15 (FR15)	17/07/1705	Luss
MCAUSLAND	MARGRET	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/MARJORY GLEN	21/12/1705	Luss
MCAUSLAND	NATHANEELL	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/JANET CAMPBLE	03/11/1706	Kilmaronock
MCAUSLAND	MARIE	HUMPHREY MCAUSLAND/JEAN MCHUTCHON	20/01/1707	Luss
MCAUSLANE	MARGRET	PATRICK MCAUSLANE/CHRISTIAN TOWART	09/03/1707	Cardross
MCAUSLAND	CHRISTIAN	JOHN MCAUSLAND/CHRISTIANE MCAUSLAND	01/02/1708	Luss
MCAUSLAND	JOHN	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/MARJORY GLEN	11/07/1708	Luss
MCAUSLAND	DUNCAN	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/JONET CAMPBLE	27/04/1709	Kilmaronock
MCAUSLAND	ALEXANDER	JOHN MCAUSLAND/JANNET GLEN	19/03/1710	Luss
MCAUSLAND	ALEXANDER	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/MARJORY GLEN	05/08/1711	Luss
MCAUSLAND	ROBERT	DUNCAN MCAUSLAND/ELIZABETH MCKEWN	05/08/1711	Luss
MCAUSLAND	ALEXANDER	ARCHIBALD MCAUSLAND/JEAN GAY	02/12/1711	Luss

McAusland Marriages Recorded in Dunbartonshire to 1711

We also looked at McAusland Banns and marriages until 1711.

Surname	Forename	Spouse Name	Date	Parish
MCAUSLAN	WILLIAME	MARGRATE /FR244 (FR244)	11/08/1689	Cardross
MCCAUSLANE	MARGARET	ROBERT CAMPBEL/	06/05/1698	Dumbarton
MCAUSLAN	MARGRATE	ROBERT CAMPBELL/FR251 (FR251)	15/05/1698	Cardross
MCASLAN	JONNAT	JOHN BEAN/	19/06/1698	Bonhill
MCAUSLAND	MARY	WALTER MCFARLANE/	08/01/1702	Luss
MCAUSLANE	MARIE	JOHN KING/FR255 (FR255)	20/01/1704	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	PATRICK	CHRISTINE TOWART/FR258 (FR258)	01/06/1706	Cardross
MCAUSLANE	ANNE	ROBERT DAVIE/FR259 (FR259)	11/02/1707	Cardross
MCAUSLAND	CHRISTIAN	ARCHIBALD MCWATIE/	29/06/1707	Luss
MCAUSLAND	KATHRINE	JOHN REID/	12/11/1708	Luss
MCAUSLAND	PATRICK	JANNET MCAUSLAND/FR178 (FR178)	12/01/1710	Luss
MCAUSLAND	JANNET	PATRICK MCAUSLAND/FR178 (FR178)	12/01/1710	Luss
MCAUSLANE	JANET	ROBERT BUCHANNAN/	10/06/1710	Dumbarton
MCAUSLANE	CHRISTINE	WILLIAM KENNEDY/	04/11/1710	Bonhill

McAusland Deaths Recorded in Dunbartonshire to 1775

The only McAusland deaths and burials recorded were in Dumbarton parish itself, and of these, there were only seven prior to 1775.

Surname	Forename	Parents/Other details	Age	Date	Parish
MCCAUSLANE	UMPHRA	ROBT MCCAUSLANE		12/02/1651	Dumbarton
MCASLANE	CHRISTIAN	PATRICK		16/01/1671	Dumbarton
MCAUSLANE	DUNCAN	—–		05/11/1711	Dumbarton
MCAUSLANE	—–	ALEXANDER MC AUSLANE		17/04/1719	Dumbarton
MCAUSLAND	JOSEPH	—–		24/12/1725	Dumbarton
MACAUSLAND	LILIAS	—–		18/11/1731	Dumbarton
MACAUSLAND	—–	—–		17/04/1732	Dumbarton

It should be noted that, in addition to covering different periods of time, the Hearth Tax Records and the Old Parish Registers of Births & Baptisms would be recording different population groups. Those listed in the Hearth Tax Records would be heads of families, and likely older individuals, while the OPRs would record younger people of child-bearing age.

The amount of information in the Old Parish Registers can be very variable. For example, in the Register of Births & Baptisms, especially for earlier registers, there may simply the name of the child, of their father and a date of baptism. At the other end of the scale, records can contain much more information, including the dates of birth and baptism of the child, while “lawful” or “natural”, the full names of both parents, with their occupation(s) and place of residence, along with the full names of the witnesses, their occupations, places of residence, their relationship to the child and the name of the Minister who carried out the baptism.

In the case of the above baptism in Cardross parish, the page has suffered damage and some of the information is missing. Nevertheless, we can sometimes deduce some additional likely information from such a record.

1. “Eodem Die” is Latin for “the same day“, but the date of the baptism above is missing. Nevertheless, the next series of baptisms on the full page (not shown) took place on 3rd April 1681, so we know that Mary must have been born and baptised before that date.
2. Mary’s mother was a McFarlane, but her Christian name is missing. However, on 18th June 1688, a Duncan McAuslane and Christine McFarlane had a daughter baptised named Christine. So it is likely that Mary’s mother was that same Christine McFarlane.
3. In the 1688 record, the McAuslands were living at in Meikle Drumfad. It therefore seems possible that the “Dr…” on the torn page referred to Drumfad.
4. Although this baptism appears in the records for the parish of Cardross, the McAuslands were probably living at Meikle Drumfad in Row parish.

Using the available information in the records of baptisms and banns – there is little if any information on burials for these parishes at this time period – allows us to get a, sometimes patchy and incomplete, idea of the McAusland families who were around at that time.

Monumental Inscriptions

The Scottish Genealogical Society, and a number of other organisations including the Clan Colquhoun Society have recorded Monumental Inscriptions. These can be real goldmines for researchers due to the rarity of deaths and burials recorded in the Old Parish Registers, as can be seen above. Gravestones were often made of soft material, such as sandstone, which has eroded badly through time and inscriptions can now be difficult to decipher. The fact that many records were made 50 or more years ago when the inscriptions were easier to read is therefore incredibly useful.

These monumental inscriptions can be invaluable. For example, we can see that Humphrey MacAuslan in Inverlaran, the Elder of the Kirk, died on 20th February 1727, almost five years after he was last recorded as attending a meeting of Luss Kirk Session. He is believed to have been aged around 80 at his death.

Conclusion

Having thus determined at least some of the McAuslands who were around at the time of the 1711 letter to Oliver McCausland may have lived, in Part 10 we will finally attempt to identify the McAuslands who might have signed the letter.

Thanks to Brian Anton, Matthew Gilbert, Michael Barr, Dave McCausland and others for helpful discussions and sharing their research.