Gigha's population has steadily declined from around 600 in the early 1800's to our present day 170 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

• 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. 

• 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