Auchterderran, Fife, Scotland Genealogy

Auchterderran #405

History
The population of the parish in the 1750s was about 1200, in 1821 was 1488, and in  1831 was 1590. The only village is Lochgelly with a population of 612. Potatoes, turnips, and hay are grown along with wheat, barley, pease and beans, and oats. The Fife breed of black cattle is raised. Coal and limestone are both quarried. The parish church was built in 1789. About half of the population is dissenting or seceding Presbyterians and there is a dissenting meeting house at Lochgelly [see below]. There are three schools (one parochial and two village) within the parish and a border school. The total attendance is about 250. There are 12 ale houses in the parish.

The above extract is from the account written in May 1836 by the parish minister, who had served there for fourty-nine years and makes several observances about the changes that have occured in forty years times.

Source: The New Statistical Account of Scotland, for Fife. FHL book 941 B4sa, 2nd series, vol. 9.

Conditions of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computer at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries December 1667–August 1684 and March 1696–May 1697. Entries are irregular about 1783–1793. A separate record for the children of Dissenters at Lochgelly, 1769–1805, the portion of which prior to 1779 is almost illegible. Marriages: No entries May 1684–October 1697, from which date until 1760 the entries are mixed with the births for the same period. Marriages for 1760–1790 occur on occasional pages of record of births. There is a separate record from November 1791. The entries for 1793 are contracts except for one marriage. There are only two entries for October 1795–February 1798. From 1797–1806, inclusive, the entries are chiefly contracts with the fact of marriage sometimes added 1798–1800 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 1663–1669, 1697–1736, 1783–1811, 1814–1855 - with accounts 1812–1874 Cash Book 1700–1758 - with gaps Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/21.

Lochgelly Free Church
History— The church was erected in 1857. Many new congregations sprang up in the district served by Lochgelly. Membership: 1859, 153; 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— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Lochgelly United, Formerly Associate Burgher Presbyterian Church
History— At the time of the Secession, several members of this parish withdrew from the Established Church and connected themselves with the Seceders meeting in Kirkcaldy. When the church of Auchterderran became vacant in 1740, there was a division among the parishioners as to who should be the new minister. When one man was settled upon by the Church courts, those who had supported the other withdrew from the Established Church. Those in the north–east of the parish became part of a congregation forming in Leslie. Those in the west formally acceded to the Associate Presbytery in 1742 and were joined to the congregation in Dunfermline. Those to the south connected themselves with the Seceder congregation of Kirkcaldy. The Breach in 1747 divided the Seceders. Those who adhered to the Associate Burgher Synod, and had been attending services at Dunfermline and Kirkcaldy, applied for and obtained supply of sermon as a separate congregation in 1765, in Lochgelly. 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— The extent of pre-1855 records is unknown.

Lochgelly Branch, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–Day Saints
History—    Not available.

Records—                 Years Covered       FHL Film Number  Record of Members      1842-1854             0104154 item 12