Leslie, Fife, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #444

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: No entries August 1678–March 1682. Record 1718–1763 is kept in the form of a small memorandum book. Irregular entries occur throughout. Mother's names are not recorded until February 1685. Marriages: Prior to 1761 in the form of a memorandum book. No entries (except one for 1755 and two for 1761) December 1750–March 1779, from which date until there are 1838 entries of proclamations only. Deaths: Mortcloth Dues where indicated above. 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 1690–1705, 1713–1869 Accounts 1801–1817 Scroll Minutes 1820–1825 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/696.

Leslie West Associate Secession Anti-burgher Church
History— The Leslie parish minister had cooperated with the Four Brethren who founded the Secession and it was expected that he would secede. However, when he did not, and when he openly criticized the Brethren, several of the parishioners withdrew from the Established Church. Those residents in the southern parts of the parish joined the Seceding congregation of Abbotshall while those in the northern parts joined with others from surrounding parishes in the formation of the First Seceding Congregation of Leslie. In 1739 they applied to the Associate Presbytery to be taken under their inspection, which was granted. Members were drawn from the parishes of Leslie, Markinch, Kinglassie, Portmoak, Falkland, and Auchterderran. They built a church in 1744 and a new one in 1861. At the Breach in 1747, the majority of the congregation adhered to the General Associate Anti-burgher Synod. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source.

Records—                    FHL Film Numbers  Baptisms 1742–1808      0889477 item 2, and 0304672 item 3 Other: Baptismal Register 1849–1956 Various Minutes 1739–1839, 1846–1909 Communion Rolls1849–1899 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/319.

Leslie East, Trinity Secession Burgher Church
History— This congregation originated at the Breach in 1747 with the minority of the West Congregation who adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod. About 1752 the members from Falkland were disjoined from Leslie and annexed to the Auchtermuchty Burgher congregation. The following year those members on the east side of the parish were disjoined and annexed to the Kennoway congregation. This left the Leslie congregation too weak to remain on its’ own, so the members joined with the Kirkcaldy congregation. When the parish of Leslie became vacant in 1758, those parishioners who objected to the new minister withdrew from the Established Church and joined with the Leslie Seceders. This enlarged group then petitioned the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Perth and Dunfermline for supply of sermon which was granted in 1761. Attempts to take the church building back from the Anti-burgher congregation failed and a church was built in 1771. A new church was built in 1859. Source: Annals and Statistics of the United Presbyterian Church, by Rev. William MacKelvie, D.D., pub. 1873. Film #477618. More details may be given in the source.

Records— No known pre-1855 records. There are some Post-1855, CH3/318.

Leslie Free Church
History— At the Disruption the adherents of the Free Church here formed a congregation and worshipped in the Original Secession Church until their own church, in Murray Place, built in 1844 was ready for occupation. They were ministered to by Mr. Laird, who, engaged by Mr. Fergus the proprietor of Prinlaws Mill, had been working at Prinlaws, Leslie. Until his settlement in October Mr. Fergus generously continued his salary. The manse was built in 1850. A new church on High Street was erected in 1879. Membership: 1848, 272; 1900, 227. 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 including ministers.

Records— Session Minutes 1843–1917 Deacon’s Court Minutes 1844–1902 Account Book 1844–1917 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/317.