Why did your Ancestors settle in Shotts
Old Parish Records
OPR's began in Shotts in 1707. Shotts is Parish no 655 in the County of Lanark.
The Name
It is commonly believed that 'Shotts' got its name from the infamous outlaw Bertram De Shotts who, in ancient times, signalized himself by his depredations, and was eventually killed near the site of the present church. .
The Early Years
During the 17th century Shotts became famous due to the 'Shotts Revival' of 1630 and for its connections with the Covenanters, a group of Christians who openly opposed royal interference in religious matters. This led to them being hunted and killed. Many hid in the woods and hills around Shotts.
The 1700 and 1800s
Shotts grew when the Iron Works began in 1802. Pig iron was made and exported globally. This encouraged an influx of workers into the community, some indeed originating from the Cornwall mines and arriving in Shotts via the Leadhills mines. Coal was subsequently discovered. The late 19th century saw a large intake of Irish workers, demonstrated by the census returns for 1881 and 1891.