Wemyss, Fife, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #459

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: This register appears to have been originally kept with great care and regularity, but it has subsequently suffered much from dampness and neglect and the corners of the pages, 1660–1667 and 1698–1718 and 1729–1733 have been more or less destroyed. The original is wanting March–September 1744, but there are four pages of transcribed entries September 1743–September 1744, which embrace the missing entries. There are also three pages of transcribed entries May 1771–October 1771 and July 1774–February 1775, the originals of which have been lost. Marriages: The record was originally kept with care. The greater part of the page October 1678–May 1679 was destroyed. There are four pages of transcribed entries May 1744–October 1746, of which the originals are lost. 1775–1783, the date of marriage is seldom given, the date of booking only. Deaths: Mortcloth Dues. 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 1645–1867 Cash 1707–1843 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/365.

Buckhaven United Associate Presbyterian Church
History— In 1739, an elder and several persons in the parish seceded to the Associate Presbytery. They attended the Secession Church at Abbotshall, Kirkcaldy until the Secession congregation of Kennoway began, which they joined. When a vacancy in the ministry occurred, there was disagreement over a new minister, and a large minority, chiefly resident in the parish of Wemyss took the opportunity to disjoin from Kennoway. They were sustained by the Presbytery and a congregation was formed in 1792 with its seat in Buckhaven. They built a place of worship the same year, with seating for 600. A new church was built in 1869. Sources: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618.

Records— Minutes 1846–1874 Accounts 1826–1853 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/454.

Wemyss, Buckhaven Free Church
History— The congregation was formed in June 1843 and regular services provided. They worshiped in the open air or in a loaned hall until in 1846 their church was ready for use. There was also a mission congregation at West Wemyss that met in a church belonging to the proprietor. As a majority of the people adhered to the Free Church, the proprietor granted use of the building for Free Church services. A minister was ordained and settled there in November 1843. Just then it became known that permission to use the building was to be withdrawn. The newly ordained minister generously agreed to retire and the congregation continued as a mission until 1854. In 1857 a school and teacher's house were built at East Wemyss. These were subsequently occupied as a church hall. About 140 members from East Wemyss later attached themselves to the new charge at Buckhaven, which was established in 1866. Membership: 1848, 331; 1900, 324. 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— No known pre-1855 records.

West Wemyss Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints
Records—                                   FHL Film Number  Record of Members 1841–1847       0104156 item 7