Gigha's People

Gigha's population has steadily declined from around 600 in the early 1800's to our present day 150 residents. The most common surnames on the island during the 1800's and 1900's were: MacNeill, Galbreath, Smith, McDonald, McQuilkan (later Anglicised to Wilkieson), Graham, Brown, McConnachie, McGugan, McSporran, Henderson, Wotherspoon and McMillan.

Gigha Census Information

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• 1827 Census - In 1827 the Reverend James Curdie came to the island and in that same year took a census of the Gigha people and wrote it in a jotter. It is a remarkably valuable piece of History for the genealogist as it lists the married women under their Maiden names. There are 571 people listed.

We have a copy of this census and have now made it available on here - Go to 1827 Census

•  1841 Census - You can search this census for free at http://freecen.rootsweb.com

• 1871  & 1881 Census - Census images available to download at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (pay site)

• 1891 Census - Census images available to download at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (pay site)

• 1901 Census - Census images available to download at www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (pay site)

• Gigha Tenants List 1779 to 1785 - www.knapdalepeople.com/gighapeople.htm

Other Genealogy Sites

Birth, Marriage and Death Records    www.familysearch.org and  www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (pay site)

Scottish Wills             www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (pay site)

Argyll Links                www.genealogylinks.net

Message Boards        www.rootsweb.com and  http://genforum.genealogy.com

Other Sites        www.theargyllcolonyplus.org

                          www.cyndislist.com/sct-arg.htm

                          www.clangalbraith.org

                          www.looking4kin.com/arl.htm