The Cairn of Lochwinnoch is a remarkable collection of 45 volumes of miscellaneous transcriptions and research notes left to posterity by Andrew Crawfurd [1786-1854]: a retired medical practitioner turned antiquarian who was born and lived for much of his life at Johnshill Cottage in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire.

Despite his own concerns, Crawfurd's Cairn has proven to be a resource for generations of researchers. Following his death surviving relations donated the “bulky mass”, in its entirety, to Paisley Library. Today the originals are held at the Renfrewshire Heritage Centre, while digital reproductions can be found freely available online.

Almost inveitably for such a large body of work, the Cairn encompasses a range of subjects. Crawfurd's primary passion, however, was for his native parish of Lochwinnoch. And among the most remarkable items in his collection are his “pedigrees” or genealogical accounts of several hundred local families, including “many bonnetted Lairds and small Heritors, never hoisted up into a printed Book”.

While the reliability of Crawfurd's work, like that of other genealogists of the time, must be treated by modern historians with appropriate levels of caution, Crawfurd was a serious researcher. While the underlying sources of his information are not always visible, it is clear he compiled his pedigrees by using a combination of documentary analysis and oral testimony. And from his accompanying notes we can see that he sought to cross verify his information.

Of considerable advantage to Crawfurd was the fact that he had access to a number of documents which are not available to modern historians. As a trusted and notable expert of antiquarian subjects, a large number of the neighbouring landowners of the time placed their family papers in his hands. These documents were recognised by him as the “foundation” of his work.

Some of the local men and women who contributed to the Cairn:

Map showing the area of primary coverage in The Cairn.