Scoonie, Fife, Scotland Genealogy

Parish $456

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Births are incomplete 1716–1718. After the record for May 1760, there are six pages of irregular entries dated 1740–1786. Then there follows a copy of the record of births December 1755–March 1760 with continuation. There are no entries March 1761–October 1765 and December 1768–March 1770 from which date to 1792 births are mixed with marriages and deaths in one record. There are no entries July 1783–September 1788. There is a separate register from December 1783 which is continuous. There are irregular entries 1792–1804 inclusive. After 1819 there are six entries, one family 1814–1827. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. FHL British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1626, 1640–1655, 1718–1759, 1764–1781, 1798–1813 Cash Book 1687–1717 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/326.

Nonconformist Church Records
The Statistical Account for 1836 states that there were 827 dissenters in the parish of whom communicants were 410. There were 2 Episcopalians and 62 who attended no church. The total population of the parish was 2640, of whom 2163 lived in Leven.]

Leven Relief Church
History— In 1830, sermon was supplied for a number of persons in Leven who were desirous of obtaining it from the Relief Presbytery of Dysart, and a hall was rented as a temporary place of worship. The congregation numbered more than 200. A church was built in 1831, with seating for 650. A new church was built in 1871. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618.

Records— Baptisms 1834–1960 Various Minutes 1833–1914 Communion Rolls, dates are unknown, likely pre-1855 List of Young Communicants 1846–1853 Seat Rent Accounts 1832–1846 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/474.

Leven Free Church
History— This congregation was formed of those who Acame out” of Scoonie Church in 1843. A church was built and opened in December following. A new church was erected in 1871. The old church was sold, and converted into the Town Hall. In 1897 the Bain Hall was gifted to the congregation by David Bain of Bellevue Cottage, the last survivor of the original contributors to the first Free Church in Leslie. In 1867 a number of members joined the new congregation in Buckhaven and in 1893 several associated themselves with the church opened in Methil and the development of the coal industry, the population of the district greatly increased. Membership: 1848, 280; 1900, 453. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source.

Records— Minutes 1843–1910 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/758.

Leven Congregational Church
History— A church was formed in Leven in 1804. A chapel was built in North Street in 1825. The cause was always a small and struggling one and the church ceased to meet in 1860. Source: A History of Scottish Congregationalism, by Harry Escott, pub. 1960. FHL book 941 K2es. The source includes a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown. For information write to: The United Reformed Church, Scottish Synod Office PO Box 189 240 Cathedral Street Glasgow G1 2BX Scotland