During the last six months of its existence, Kyle and Carrick District Council (now replaced by South Ayrshire Council) initiated a project to locate all the surviving archive records in the district in the hope that they would be preserved for posterity. I was very lucky to secure the only post on offer and as a result spent what has been the best six months of my life being paid to do something which I found very enjoyable and rewarding. It is not often that one gets a chance to turn a favourite pastime into a remunerative job. A major bonus was the fact that my father and I were able to transcribe a number of the archives (the "Maybole Morsels") and that I have the complete lists of everything generated by the project.

A very large number of volumes and documents were found dating from the 16th to the early 20th century. The best "hoard" of all was found in one of the rooms in the tower of Maybole Town Hall and had survived there because Derek Walker, the Town Hall Officer, had refused to destroy them and kept them secure in the knowledge that one day someone would certainly want to see them. Throughout the district, every find was secured and catalogued and a full list was made of all the archives rediscovered. Some of the records were still being maintained (specifically the Cemetery Registers) and these remain in the local council offices and can be inspected there.

It will take some considerable time yet to properly preserve the vast number of records that have been collected, but we now have a photographic unit from the Mormon Church beavering away in the archives so that many records will be available for view on microfiche and microfilm format in the relatively near future - and of course without the necessity of having to go to the Ayrshire Archives Centre to see them.

David Killicoat, 1999.

The full details for Ayrshire Archives are :-
Address : Ayrshire Archives Centre

Craigie Estate
Ayr, KA8 0SS
Telephone : 01292 287584
e-mail : archive@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Contact : Mr. Kevin Wilbraham, Archivist

The following is a list of all those documents, records and volumes that were

noted as being in Maybole on 4th March, 1996.

Retained at MAYBOLE AREA OFFICE
Record of Maybole Private Cemetery 1852 1st Old Portion  (7/3/2)
Record of Maybole Private Cemetery 1853 - 1875 (7/3/1)
Maybole Cemetery Register of Interments 1868 - 1886
Maybole Cemetery Register of Interments 1894 - 1913
Maybole Parish Council Tunnoch Cemetery Lair Interment Book 1913 - 1933
Maybole Cemetery Register of Interments 1933 - 1944
Maybole Parish Council Tunnoch Cemetery Lair Interment Book 1945 - 1975
Maybole Cemetery Record of Lairs and Interments - current  (2 Vols.)
Maybole New Cemetery Register of Interments 1878 - 1894
Maybole Parochial Cemetery Lair Register 1896 - 1945
Straiton Cemetery Register of Lairholders 1930 - current
Straiton Cemetery Index of Burials 1930 - current
Straiton Cemetery  Register of Interments 1930 - current
Kirkmichael Parish Council Kirkmichael Cemetery Record of Interments 1923 - current
Kirkmichael Parish Council Kirkmichael Cemetery Reg. of Lairholders 1923 - current
Maybole Parish Council Dunure Cemetery Record of Lairs & Interments 1912 - current
Dunure Cemetery Register of Lairholders & Interments 1913 - current
Dunure Cemetery Register of Lairs 1913 - current
Dunure Cemetery Index of Burials 1913 - current
Parish of Kirkoswald Churchyard Death & Interment Register 1890 - 1948
Kirkoswald Cemetery Register of Lairholders 1948 - current
Kirkoswald Cemetery Register of Interments 1948 - current
Kirkoswald Cemetery Index of Burials 1948 - current
Crosshill Cemetery Register of Lairholders 1881 - current
Crosshill Cemetery Register of Interments 1881 - current
Crosshill Cemetery Index of Burials 1881 - current

Repository - Tower Room, Maybole Town Hall

Parish of MAYBOLE
Record of Application for Parochial Relief 1855 - 1865         
Record of Application for Parochial Relief 1865 - 1879           
Record of Application for Parochial Relief 1879 - 1896           
Record of Application for Parochial Relief 1896 - 1902           
Record of Application for Parochial Relief 1902 - 1904           
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No.4 1904/           
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No. 5                 
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No. 6                 
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No. 7                 
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No. 8                 
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No. 9                 
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No. 10                
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No. 11                
Record of Application for Parochial Relief No. 12 /1930    
Record of Applications for Parochial Relief 1863 - 1870           
Record of Applications for Parochial Relief 1923 - 1930           
Record of Applications No.1834 (1935) - No.4032 (1943)            
New Applications for Relief from Funds 1846 - 1852                
Ledger Kept by Parochial Board of Maybole now in right for the Heritors of Maybole for Private Portion of New Cemetery,Tunnoch originally belonging to Messrs. Wm. Rennie & Wm. Brown, Maybole (Lair Book from No. 1 - 518) to app. 1878                         
Minutes of Meeting of Holders of Lairs in Private Portion of New Cemetery,Tunnoch,Maybole 8 Jan 1878 (containing plan and rules for Maybole Cemetery dated Sep 1877 - Mar 1880)             
Cemetery Book 1879 - 1901 (Ledger - Lairs Sold & other accounts)  
Cemetery Ledger 1939 - 1946                                       
Cemetery Ledger 1946 - 1951                                       
Cemetery Ledger 1951 - 1959                                       
Cemetery Ledger 1959 - 1964                                       
Cemetery Ledger 1967 - 1970                                       
Cemetery Ledger 1970 - 1973                                       
Cemetery Committee Scroll Cash Book 1931 - 39                       
Cemetery Committee General Ledger  1933-39 No.2                    
Cemetery Committee General Ledger  1940-46 No.3                  
Cemetery Committee General Ledger  1947-52 No.4                 
Cemetery Committee General Ledger  1952-59 No.5                   
Cemetery Committee General Ledger  1960-66 No.6                   
Cemetery Committee General Ledger  1966-72 No.7                  
Cemetery Day Cash Book 1903 - 39                                 
Cemetery Day Cash Book 1933-39 No.2                         
Cemetery Day Cash Book 1940-45 No.3                          
Cemetery Day Cash Book 1946-50 No.4                          
Cemetery Day Cash Book 1951-60 No.5                         
Cemetery Day Cash Book 1961-66 No.6                        
Cemetery Day Cash Book 1967-71 No. 7                         
Cemetery Day Cash Book 1971-75 No.8                          
Receipt Book for the Cemetery 1947 - 1966                         
Salaries Book 1959 - 1974                                         
(Tied bundle) Correspondence dated 5 Mar 1912 relating to purchase of land from Tunnoch Farm for New Cemetery inc. large Lair Plan and Maybole Cemetery Joint Committee Abstract Accounts 1943/44, 1945/46, 1952/53 and 1955 - 1975  
Cemetery Joint Committee Minutes 17/6/70 -  4/12/74              
Cemetery Joint Committee Ledger 1931 - 1933                       
Cemetery Joint Committee Ledger 1973-74                      
General Register of Poor No.1 (1867) - No.746 (1886)              
General Register of Poor No.747 (1885) to No.1351 (1902)          
General Register of Poor No.1351 (1902) - No.1646 (1920)          
General Register of Poor No. 1650 (1920) - No.1856 (1930)         
Cash Book 1897/8 - 1935/6                                         
Assessments Collected 1922 - 1927                                 
Unadmitted & Unascertained Cases of Settlement 1855 - 1916        
Unadmitted & Unascertained Cases of Settlement 1855 - 1921        
Poor Inspectors Day Cash Book 1919 - 1923                         
Poor Inspectors Day Cash Book 1909 - 1911                         
Poor Inspectors Day Cash Book No.3 1916 - 1919                    
Poor Inspectors Day Cash Book No.5 1923 - 1926                    
Poor Inspectors Day Cash Book No.6 1926 - 1929                    
Poor Inspectors Day Cash Book No.6 1929 - 1930                    
Minute Book for Maybole Combination Poor House 1865 - 1876
Minute Book for Maybole Combination Poor House 1876 - 1895              
Minute Book for Maybole Combination Poor House 1895 - 1910              
Minutes of Maybole School Board 1874 - 1878                       
Minutes of Maybole School Board 1878 - 1882                       
General Register of Poor No.1 (1847) - No.292                     
General Register of Poor No.293 - No.585                          
General Register of Poor No.584 - No.791 (1864)                   
Casual Poor 1929 - 1946                                           
Other Parish Payroll 1906 - 1947                                  
County of Ayr Public Assistance Dept. Ledger 1936 - 1942          
County of Ayr Public Assistance Dept. Ledger 1942 - 1948          
Maybole Town Council Letter Book No.37 1938/40                    
Maybole Town Council Letter Book No.40 1943/  to No. 59
Maybole Town Council Letter Book             /1972
Small Debt Court Book 1859 - 1919
Maybole Town Council Cash Book No.8 1930/31 to No.26 1948/49                      
Maybole District Council Cash Book No.1 1930 - 42                 
Maybole District Council Cash Book No.2 1943 - 50                 
Maybole District Council Cash Book No.3 1950 - 61                 
Maybole District Council Cash Book No.14 1961 - 66                
Maybole District Council Cash Book No.15 1966 - 69                
Maybole District Council Cash Book No.16 1969 - 71                
Maybole District Council Cash Book No.17 1971 - 73                
Maybole District Council General Ledger No.1 1930 - 36  to No.6 1963 - 66            
1 Bundle Loose Papers - Maybole Town Council Minutes 1934 - 69    
Loose Papers (Collated by years) - Maybole Town Council Cash Books 1949/50 - 1974/75
Loose Papers (Collated by years) - Maybole Town Council Ledgers 1952/53 - 1974/75
Maybole Assessment Rolls 1955/56  to 1974/75                                   
Maybole Valuation Roll 1966/67 to 1973/74                                    
Loose Papers - Ratings (Provisional Rates of Assessment) for Maybole 1969/70 - 1973/74
Maybole Parochial Assessment Roll 1911/12 to 1914/15                         
Maybole Town Council General Ledger No.8 1930/31 to No.26 1948/49                 
Burgh of Maybole Abstract Accounts 1912 - 1921                    
Burgh of Maybole Abstract Accounts 1922 - 1931                    
Individual Volumes of Abstract Accounts from 1932/33 - 1973/74  
Abstract Accounts for Parish Council of Maybole including copy Roll of Poor 1905/6, 1906/7, 1910/11, 1911/12, 1913/14, 1914/15  
Minutes of Maybole District Council 5/1970 - 4/1973               
Maybole Area Education Sub-committee Minutes 7/1970 - 4/1973     
5 Town Hall Letting Books for Maybole 1952 - 1965                 
Burgh of Maybole Loans Register 1 (indexed)                       
Burgh of Maybole Loans Register 2 (indexed)                       
Rent Collectors Weekly Summary 1974/5                             
5 Misc. District Council Ledgers 1967 - 74                        
Burgh of Maybole Parks Dept. Revenue Cash Book 1948/9 - 1964/5    
Burgh of Maybole Parks Dept. Revenue Cash Book 1964/5 - 1974/5    
Burgh of Maybole Water Assessment Roll 1950/51                    
Special Water Charges 1951/2 - 1961/2                             
Ayr County Council receipt book 1963 - 69                         
Minute Book of Naval & Military Pensions Committee, Parish of Maybole Sep 1916 - 26 Aug 1919 (when entire committee resigned)   
Old Age Pensions Minute Book, Parish of Maybole 1921 - 1942       
Old Age Pensions Minute Book, Parish of Maybole 1943 - 1945       
County of Ayr Day Cash Books 1930 - 1932 to 1951 - 1952                           
County of Ayr Letter Book No.12 1944/46                           
County of Ayr Letter Book No.13 1946/49                           
Burgh of Maybole Wages Book 1952 - 1954                           
Burgh of Maybole Wages Book 1955 - 1960                           
Burgh of Maybole Wages Book 1960 - 1970                           
Burgh of Maybole Wages Book 1971 - 1973                           
Burgh of Maybole Wages Book 1973 - 1974                           
Record of Applications, Transitional Payments, County of Ayr 1933 - 1935
Record of Applications from Vagrants, County of Ayr 1930 - 33     
Record of Applications from Vagrants, County of Ayr 1933 - 46     
Roll of Indoor Adult (Sane) Poor, County of Ayr 1927 - 48         
Record of Applications from Ordinary and Destitute Able Bodied Unemployed Poor, County of Ayr 1930 - 35                        
Record of Applications from Ordinary and Destitute Able Bodied Unemployed Poor, County of Ayr 1943 - 48                        
Inter-Authority 1 yearly accounts June 1931                       
Applications for Relief/Particulars of Settlement 1892 - 1900  

BLACK DEED BOX - marked Maybole Carnegie Library containing papers all relating to library to ca. 1960
Bundle of Misc. (Spare) Copies of Burgh Abstract Accounts
BLACK DEED BOX - marked Maybole Town Council locked, but appears only to contain old voting slips


DEED BOX - Marked TOWN CLERKS PAPERS 
This is a Brown coloured Deed Box divided into six sections.  It originally contained many crumpled and folded documents.  The entire contents were emptied and combined with other loose papers discovered in the area.   They were then sorted into categories as far as possible, then sorted chronologically and tied into small numbered bundles as follows :-
Bundle No. 1
Stent Rolls for Maybole 1816/17, 1817/18, 1818/19, 1819/20, 1820/21, 1821/22, 1822/23 (2 copies), 1823/24 (3 copies), 1824/25, 1825/26 (2 copies), 1829/30, 1831/32, 1847/48 + loose Collectors notebook Ca. 1824/5
Bundle No. 2
Receipts for Accounts Maybole Town Council 1773 - 1791
Bundle No. 3
Account with the Treasurer of the Town of Maybole 1774 - 1794
Bundle No. 4
Receipt for Accounts for the Burgh of Maybole 1794 - 1815
Bundle No. 5
Account of Charge & Discharge between the Town Council of Maybole and Treasurer years ending 1819, 1822-28, 1830, 1831, 1833
Bundle No. 6
Account of Charge & Discharge between the Town Council of Maybole and Treasurer years ending 1873 - 1901 (+ Loose volume cont. 1893 - 1900)
Bundle No. 7
Account of Charge & Discharge between the Town Council of Maybole and Treasurer years ending 1901 - 1911
Bundle No. 8
Lists of the Town Council 1864, 1866-70, 1872, 1881/2, 1884, 1886-1892, 1895, 1897/8 & 1900/1.
List of Persons on and off Council 1722 - 1828 with observations (2 copies).
List of Burgesses 1834, 1877 & N.D.
Burgess Ticket - Alex. Aird 1813
Burgess Ticket - Lord Ailsa 1891
Burgess Ticket - Trooper Lord Charles Kennedy, Ayrshire Yeomanry (for gallantry in offering his services as volunteer for war in South Africa)
Bundle No. 9
5 copies of Original 1516 Charter Burgh of Maybole.
Sasine 1805 (no name due to fragile condition).
Bond £400 Adam Niven to Hunters & Co. 1807.
Declaration & Obligation (Campbell/Magistrates) 1814.
Disposition Campbell to Niven & Goudie 1814.
Sasine 1818 (no name due to fragile condition).
Charter Doig/Magistrates re Welltrees St. 1824.
Disposition Mrs. Margaret Gourlay 1828.
Disposition Mrs. Margaret Gourlay, Ball Green 1828.
Sasine Andrew Baird/Goudie 1828.
Memorial & Copy charter 1832.
Memorials 1819, 1829 & 1832.
2 Notes re Town Property 1836.
Bundle No. 10
Council Minutes 1827-1833 (few) and 1871-75
Bundle No. 11
Council Minutes 1877 - 1886
Bundle No. 12
Council Minutes 1887 - 1888
Bundle No. 13
Council Minutes 1889 - 1892
Bundle No. 14
Council Minutes 1893 - 1908
Bundle No. 15
Misc. Receipts 1808 - 1839
Bundle No. 16
Misc. Receipts 1840 - 1900
Bundle No. 17
Misc. Vouchers 1829 - 1839
Bundle No. 18
Misc. Vouchers 1840 - 1846
Bundle No. 19
Precept Dur David Pyper 1733.
Receipt & Protestation Bill Thomas Alexander v. Fergusson/McCallum 1754.
Precept Thomas Alexander or Debtors 1778.
List of Bills  Kirk of Maybole 1777 - 1781.
Fergusson's admission £5-8-11 due to Town 1794.
Articles of Roup of Town Customs 1804.
Note re Parliamentary Bill 1808.
Heads of Parliamentary Bill 1808.
Offer by Campbell - ground Welltrees St. 1814.
Letter re keys to Fleshmarket 1818.
Bundle No. 20
Misc. Minutes & Receipts 1893
Bundle No. 21
Misc. Accounts 19th cent.
Bundle No. 22
Account Town of Maybole to Thomas  Alexander 1795.
State of Account between Burgh of Maybole & William Rennie Treasurer 1819/20
    "            "             "         "               "            & John McReach      "         1820/21
    "            "             "         "               "            & Thomas Rennie     "         1870
    "            "             "         "               "            & David Brown        "         1870/71
    "            "             "         "               "            & David Brown        "         1871/72
    "            "             "         "               "            & David Brown        "         1873/74
    "            "             "         "               "            & David Brown        "         1874/75
List of irrecoverable Stent Y/e 1833.
Extract of Free Church Deacon Court Minutes 28 Feb 1849.
Correspondence with Marquis of Ailsa 1825-32 re appointment of Burgesses.
Bundle No. 23
Charges for Lair Dressing, Maybole Cemetery 1950
Exclusive right of Burial - a plan 1948
Letter re Table of Feet 1948
Letter re ammended Table of Feet 1948
Lair Plan B151 1948
Maybole Cemetery Plan 2062 1948
Legal Fees 1946
Plan of Toolshed at cemetery 1944
2 Letters re extension 1944
Extension Plan 1942
Plan of waiting Room/Mortuary 1939
Letter re £2000 Loan 1932
Letter re Bond over burial ground 1932
Mrs. Hugh Bryce Lairs No. 193/4 1917
Maybole Burial Ground 1907
    "            "           "      Copy Interlocutor 1907
Dunure Cemetery Cert. Of Sale / Plan 1913
Petition re Dunure Cemetery 1912
Bundle No. 24
Burgh of Maybole v. McClymont (re customs) 1887.
Interlocutor Burgh v. William Reid (Expenses) 1881.
Minute of Agreement between James Dunlop & Col. W.J.H. Houldsworth as Chairman of Kirkmichael Parish Council for Recreation Ground at Crosshill 1926.
Disposition by Revd. I. McIntosh, R.C. Clergyman in Airdrie and others in favour of Magistrates & Town of Maybole 1873.
Opinion for Magistrates and Town Council of Maybole 1832.
Appointment of Road Trustees 1847 - 1856.
Note for opinion of Counsel by J. Lambie 1883.
Minute of Meeting of Town Green Committee 1895.
Excerpt of Minute of meeting of Carrick District Committee of County Council re Town Green 1891.
Agreement between Magistrates of Maybole & John Mossman re upkeep of  Steeple, Courthouse & Jail 1817.
Burgess Ticket of John alexander 1834
Excerpt of Minute of Agreement (1805) re purchase of houses from Quintin Thomson to widen road, 1817.
Misc. Papers regarding spring behind Free Church Cemetery, 1849.
Bundle No. 25
Voting Lists (all no date)
Bundle No. 26
Miscellaneous Accounts and receipts 19th cent.
Bundles Nos. 27 - 29
Misc. Correspondence various dates (mostly 19th. Cent.)
Bundle No. 30
Misc. Notices including Presentation to Volunteers for Service in S.A. 1900, Town Customs (inc. Collectors notebook), Census 1861, Threat to the Marchioness of Ailsa (pre 1886), Dalmellington Brass Band performance at Maybole 1898.
Other Parishes
Ayr Cemetery Burial grant in favour of James Inglis McDerment 1866.
Kirkoswald Assessment Rolls 1849, 1851 & 1852.
Kirkmichael - Nomination of Valuators by Rt. Hon. JamesFergusson & Parochial Board 1880.
Misc. Papers Sanquhar v. Smith (Sheep & Cattle Dues) 1871.


Parish of KIRKMICHAEL
Register of Poor Persons Admitted to Roll 1847 - 1863            
General Register of Poor 1847 - 1890 (Nos. 1 - 307)              
General Register of Poor 1850 - 1930 (Nos. 1 - 272)              
Children's Separate Register 1856 - 1926                         
Record of Applications 1855 - 1879                               
Record of Applications (Crosshill) 1880 - 1901                   
Record of Applications for Parochial Relief 1907 - 1914          
Record of Applications for Parochial Relief 1915 - 1930          
Memorandum Book of Interim and Temporary Relief and Casual Additional Relief 1863 - 1874
Minutes of Parochial Board 1845 - 1862                           
Minutes of Committee of Parochial Board 1866 - 1878             
Minutes of Parochial Board 1878 - 1893                           
Minutes of Committee of Parochial Board 1893 - 1907             
Minute Book for Parish Council 1907 - 1916                       
Parish Council Minute Book 1917 - 1926                           
Parish Council Minute Book 1926 - 1930                           
Inspector's General Ledger/Cash Book 1909/10 - 1913/14           
Letter Book for Inspector of Poor at Crosshill 1855 - 1861       
Inspector of Poor Copy Letter Book 1861 - 1865                   
Copy Letter Book 1865 - 1892                                     
Cash Book for Crosshill Cemetery 1881 - 1948                     
Crosshill Cemetery Record of Sales 1881 - 1935                   
Record of Sales and Burials for Crosshill Cemetery 1881 (Lair No 1) to 1948 (Lair No 469)
Kirkmichael Parochial Cemetery Crosshill Ledger 1935 - 1938      
Ledger (Clerk of Cemetery of Kirkmichael 1923 - 1947)            
Record of Sales for Kirkmichel Cemetery 1923 - 1948              
Record of Sales and Burials for Kirkmichael Cemetery 1923 (Lair No 1) - 1948 (Lair No 156)
Crosshill Special Water District Minute Book 1926 - 1930         

Parish of STRAITON
General Register of Poor 1848 - 1921                             
General Register of Poor 1921 - 1929                             
Record of Applications for Parochial Relief 1902 - 1929          
Parochial Assessment Roll 1920/21 - 1922/23                      
Parochial Assessment Roll 1923/24 - 1926/27                      
Parochial Board Minute Book 1875 - 1916                          
Parish Council Minute Book 1917 - 1925                           
Minute Book for Parish Council 1926 - 1930                       
Parish Council Ledger 1896 - 1930                                
Straiton Cemetery Ledger 1930 - 1948                                        

Parish of KIRKOSWALD
Statement of the Poor Funds 1817 - 1843                          
Register of Poor Persons Admitted to the Roll 1846 - 1851        
Register of Poor Persons Admitted to the Roll 1852 - 1862        
General Register of Poor 1865 - 1895                             
General Register of Poor 1896 - 1930                             
Record of Applications (with Index) 1855 - 1865                  
Record of Applications for Parochial Relief 1865 - 1915          
Record of Applications for Parochial Relief 1915 - 1924          
Record of Applications for Parochial Relief 1924 - 1930          
Minutes of the Statutory 1 yearly meetings of the Board of Supervision 1847 - 1890 
Minutes of the Parochial Board 1886 - 1905             
Minute Book of the Parish Council 1906 - 1917                    
Minutes of Statutory Meetings of Parish Council 1917 - 1930      
Parochial Board Ledger 1847 - 1851                               
Cash Book 1871 - 1905                                            
General Ledger 1930/31                                           
Receipts of Assessment for Support of Poor 1871 - 1910 (Cash Book - includes on p.242 the Roll of Honour Parish of Kirkoswald)      
Roll of Persons Liable in Payment of Assessment Imposed in acc. Act 8 & 9 Vic.c.34 in Support of Poor 1864 - 1873           
Assessment Roll (Crosshill) 1874 - 1877 then in same book marked as Collectors Cash Book 1911 - 1915  Maybole West Parish Assessment Roll for Kirkoswald 1874  - 1877 (very few entries)
Assessment Roll 1900/1 - 1903/4                                  
Assessment Roll 1904/5 - 1907/8                                  
Assessment Roll 1908/9 - 1911/12                                 
Assessment Roll 1912/13 to 1926/27                                         

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