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Dunfermline Church Records

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Data provided by the  Scottish Archive Network (SCAN)

The Parish Church (Established Church, Church of Scotland):

The original Old Parish Registers (of baptisms / births, proclamations / marriages, and deaths / burials) of the Church of Scotland, which cover the years up to 1854, are held in the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh, and they can all be consulted there at the National Records of Scotland. The baptisms / births, proclamations / marriages and deaths / burials indexes can be searched at the ScotlandsPeople website. Copies of the register entries may be purchased.

Parish reference number: 424

The Old Parish Registers (OPRs) span the following dates (although there are gaps within these ranges):

Dunfermline OPR Births / baptisms Proclamations / marriages Deaths / burials / mortcloths
424/1 1561-1611 1561-1611  
424/2 1612-1652 1612-1651  
424/3 1652-1715 1652-1715  
424/4 1715-1747 1715-1745  
424/5 1748-1755   1745-1755
424/6 1756-1775    
424/7 1776-1791    
424/8 1792-1806    
424/9 1807-1819    
424/10   1750-1819  
424/11     1617-1657
424/12 1820-1825    
424/13 1825-1834    
424/14 1834-1854    
424/15 1820-1854    
424/16   1820-1842  
424/17   1842-1854  
424/18     1825-1854
424/19 Index 1834-1854    
(Data supplied by the National Records of Scotland)

The Detailed List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland, published 1872, provides this information about the content of the OPRs, including the gaps within them:

B.  and M.  recorded on parallel cols. 1561 - 1745. Both Records blank Feb. 1591 - July 1598. Imperfect leaf at 1650. Blank (exc. a few entries of B.) June 1701 - March 1703. Two separate Records Oct. 1687 - Dec. 1714. Two leaves imperfect at Dec. 1747. After 1772 a large number of entries occur in the margin of the Register. Early Record beautifully kept.
M.  blank Aug. 1745 - May 1750, from which latter date there is a separate Record of Proclamations and Marriages.
D.  Blank March 1657 - Jan. 1745, and June 1755 - 1825.
[Vol. 424/9 contains an index to B. 1816 - 1825. Vol. 424/19 is an index to B. 1834 - 1854 (in vol. 424/14). Vol. 424/15 also contains an index to B. 1820 - 1854.]

Copies of the registers on microfilm may be consulted in some local libraries and at LDS Family Search Centres around the world. The indexes to baptisms / births and proclamations / marriages can also be searched on the LDS Family Search website or on the IGI on microfiche in local libraries.

LDS Library Film Numbers:

1040126 Items 4 - 5 Baptisms, Marriages, 1561-1652
1040102 Baptisms, 1652-1714, 1687-1756; Marriages, 1652- 1710, 1687-1745; Burials, 1745.
1040103 Burials, 1745-1755; Marriages, (1 page) 1791; Baptisms, 1756-1797.
1040104 Baptisms, 1797-1819; Marriages, 1750-1814.
1040105 Marriages, 1814-1819; Burials, 1617-1643, 1653-1657; Baptisms and Index of fathers (incomplete), 1819-1849.
1040106 Baptisms, 1836-1854; Baptisms (transcript,) 1821-1847; Marriages, 1820-1848.
1040107 Items 1 - 3 Marriages, 1848-1854; Burials, 1825-1854; Neglected entries (baptisms), 1833-1854; Index (baptisms), 1834-1854.
(Data provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

Deaths / burials are listed on Fife Family History Society's  Pre-1855 Fife Deaths CD.

Some of the OPR entries can be searched on the FreeREG site.

The following records are also held by the National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh but not online. They are not included on the OPR microfilms but have been filmed as part of the Minor Records series:

Dunfermline MR45/1 Deaths 1790-1832
Dunfermline MR45/2 Index to Deaths1790-1832
The following are held by the National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh but they have been transcribed and published. See Cemeteries on the main Dunfermline page.
  Burials
Dunfermline Abbey 1761-1857; 1866-1867
Further information on the main Fife page.

Kirk Session records for Dunfermline Abbey (CH2/592) are at the National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Lists of Male Heads of Families, circa 1834, gathered as a result of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland's 1834 Veto Act have been transcribed for some parishes by Old Scottish Genealogy and Family History.

Heritors' Records (HR159) are at the National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh.

At the National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh:

  • CH2/592
    Dunfermline: Abbey Church Kirk Session
    Minutes, 1640-1689 and 1701-1929; Cash book, 1786-1833 and 1835-1938; Collections, 1803-1920 and 1922-1934; List of seatholders, 1909-1913 and 1935-1945; Seat letting book, 1930-1943 and 1944-1959; Letter book, 1903-1922; Certification index, 1746-1826; Baptismal register, 1903-1966; Proclamation register, 1879-1932; Communion rolls, 1821-1949; Minutes of congregational meetings, 1903; List of male heads of families, 1834-1842; Burial register, 1761-1857 and 1866-1867.
    The Burial register, 1761-1857 and 1866-1867, has been transcribed and published. See Cemeteries on the main Dunfermline page.
  • MR45/1-2
    Dunfermline Parish Church
    Scroll register of deaths, 1790-1832; Draft, mainly in pencil, of an index to Dunfermline
    registers, 1820-1854. These records have been filmed as part of the Minor Records series.

    The LDS have filmed the following records which may be consulted at LDS Family History Centres.
    LDS Library Film Numbers:

    1068237 Item 1 Dunfermline Parish Church Blotter registers: burials, 1790-1800, 1815-1833. Original documents: MR45/1-2 National Records of Scotland
    (Data provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
  • HR/159
    Dunfermline parish heritors' records
    Minutes, 1741-1928; Cash book, 1858-1928; Accounts, 1858-1928; Papers relating to buildings ,1805-1928; Papers relating to transference to Church of Scotland, 1926; Miscellaneous, 1748-1925; Plans of church, manse, churchyard and roadway, 1855-1917, undated.

Other Churches:

At the National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh:

  • CH3/411
    Dunfermline Free North Church (later United Free and St John's Church of Scotland)
    Session minutes, 1867-1985; Deacon's Court minutes, 1842-2001; Men's Guild minutes, 1949-1953; Account book, 1840-1867, 1871-1916 and 1964-1999; Baptismal roll, 1873-2000; Communion roll, 1848-1850, 1904-1919 and 1940-1966; David Lawrie's missionary fund minutes, 1878-1964; Miscellaneous correspondence and receipts, 1911-1964; Woman's Guild minutes, 1958-1979; Property register, 1974-1982; Supplementary roll, 1954-2000; Record of membership, 1965-2000; Certificate of transference, 1983-2001; Statistical returns, 1966-2000; Accounts, 1964-1999; Treasurer's cash book, 1995-2000; Correspondence, photograph and newspaper cuttings, 1969-1987.
  • CH3/413
    Dunfermline: Abbey Free Church, United Free and St Columba's Church of Scotland
    Minutes, 1844-1958; Communion roll, 1871-1876 and 1912-1957; Deacon's court minutes, 1845-1887, 1891-1921 and 1931-2001; Committee minutes, 1869-1873; List of inhabitants, c.1834-1840; Miscellaneous papers, 19-20 cent.; Call in favour of the Rev James Mackenzie, minister of Annan Free Church, 1849; Baptismal roll, 1928-1958.
  • CH3/463
    St Andrew's Free Church, United Free and St Andrew's South
    Minutes, 1843-1933; Treasurer's Accounts, 1843-1904; Sustention fund and missionary schemes, 1843-1870; Communion roll, 1854-1954; Deacon's Court minutes, 1856-1952; Year book, 1957-1958; Ladies work party minutes, 1912-1918; Sundry accounts, 1930-1933; Proclamation register, 1972-1977.
  • CH3/568
    Dunfermline Associate (Burgher) Church, Queen Anne Street United Presbyterian, United Free, Church of Scotland Erskine
    Minutes, 1740-1743, 1749-1769, 1776-1780, 1783-1912 and 1969-1974; Committee minutes, 1761-1769, 1776-1780 and 1783-1799; Trustee's minutes, 1761-1841, 1846-1866 and 1902-1974; Accounts, 1740-1749 and 1770-1899; Baptisms, 1740-1921 and 1929-1973; Marriages, 1775-1799; Collections and disbursements, 1817-1836; Poor's fund accounts, 1777-1799, 1805-1807 and 1831-1900; Communion roll, 1871-1891; Property register, 1969-1972; Certificates of transference, 1972-1977; Miscellaneous papers, including, minutes, petitions, accounts, receipts and letters, 19 and 20 cent; Architectural plans, 1798.
    The registers are being made available on the ScotlandsPeople website.

    The LDS have filmed the following records which may be consulted at LDS Family History Centres.
    LDS Library Film Numbers:

    889489 Item 1 Queen Anne St. Burgher Associate Church Baptisms, 1797-1823. Original documents: CH3/568/18 National Records of Scotland
    889488 Item 3 Dunfermline Associate Session Church Baptisms, 1739-1799. Original documents: CH3/568/16,17 National Records of Scotland
    (Data provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

    An index to the following records has been published by the Fife Family History Society Publication No. 45:

    Dunfermline Associate Congregation Births and Baptisms
    CH3/568/18 and 51 1799-1854
  • CH3/569
    Chalmers Street (United Presbyterian, United Free and Church of Scotland)
    Minutes, 1855-1942; Congregational minutes, 1825-1894 and 1918-1941; Cash book, 1812-1870; Collections, 1817-1869; Association for religious and congregational purposes minutes, 1846-1857 and accounts, 1845-1881; Baptisms, 1905-1942; Marriages, 1932-1939; Deaths, 1905-1943; Communion roll, 1855-1861 and 1906-1939.
  • CH3/1218
    Townhill Free Church Kirk Session, United Free, Church of Scotland
    Minutes, 1883-1913; Baptisms, 1884-1964; Proclamations, 1952-1973.
  • CH3/1689
    Dunfermline Gillespie Relief, United Presbyterian, North Chapel Street UP, Gillespie United Free, Gillespie Memorial Church of Scotland
    Kirk Session Minutes, 1849-1971; Board Minutes, 1774-1963; Financial Records, 1853-1983; Communion Rolls, 1841-1953; Baptismal Registers, 1752-1978; Marriage Proclamation Registers, 1932-1945; Commemorative Records, 1899-1959; Organisation Records, 1891-1974; Other Sections, 1875-1995.
  • CH3/1232
    St Margaret's United Secession, United Presbyterian, United Free Church 
    Minutes, 1825-1964; Management committee minutes, 1925-1960; Trustees and managers minutes, 1834-1964 (incomplete); Communion rolls, 1833-1940 (incomplete); Elders rolls, undated (before 1870), 1891; Births, marriages and deaths (including causes of deaths), 1825-1850; Miscellanea, 1932-1940, 1963-1964. [CH3/1232/1 contains Baptisms 1851-1892 and has been indexed - see below - but it is not listed in the NRS online catalogue.]

    An index to the following records has been published by the Fife Family History Society Baptismal Registers No. 1. The records are also available on CD and on the Records pages of the Fife Family History Society website:

    Dunfermline St Margaret's UP Baptisms
    CH3/1232/1 1851-1854
  • CH2/641
    Dunfermline North Kirk Session
    Scroll minutes, 1855-1913; Trustee's minutes, 1855-1912; Baptismal register, 1851-1920; Marriage register, 1851-1902; Condensed communion statistics, 1851-1896; New communicants, 1851-1901; Communion roll, 1861-1888; The North Wind (church magazine), 1969-1983.
    The Dunfermline North Baptisms (1851-1854) are available on the Records pages of the Fife Family History Society's website.

    The LDS have filmed the following records which may be consulted at LDS Family History Centres.
    LDS Library Film Numbers:

    889489 Item 10 Dunfermline Parish Church [actually Dunfermline North Church] Baptisms, 1851-1920 and marriages, 1851-1902. Original documents: CH2/641/3 National Records of Scotland
    (Data provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
  • RH21/83
    Dunfermline Roman Catholic congregation
    Baptisms 1846 - 1858; Marriages 1847 - 1858.
    Roman Catholic marriages which took place in Dunfermline prior to 1855 have been transcribed and published by the Fife Family History Society in Publication 22 - Fife Roman Catholic Marriage Registers 1793 - 1854.
    Indexes to and images of the Roman Catholic births and baptism registers 1846-1858 are available at the National Records of Scotland and are also on the ScotlandsPeople website.
  • CH2/1321
    St Andrew's Kirk Session
    Minutes, 1835-1843 and 1851-1950; Manager's minutes, 1832-1888; Accounts, 1858-1975; Baptismal register, 1858-1883, 1889 and 1903-1973; Proclamation register, 1876-1932; Certificates of transference, 1973-1977; Communion roll, 1872-1880, 1898-1918 and 1955-1962; Miscellaneous papers, 20th cent.
  • CH3/794
    Limekilns, Associate, (burgher) United Presbyterian, United Free, and Church of Scotland
    Minutes, 1805-1889, 1894-1895, 1900-1963; Managers' minutes, 1906-1969; Cash book, 1829-1872; Baptismal register, 1866-1931; Proclamation register, 1932-1979; Membership roll, 1928; Communion roll, 1941-1948, 1950-1958; School register, 1890-1956.
  • CH3/1192
    Crossgates Burgher, United Presbyterian Church Kirk Session, United Free
    Minutes, 1882-1906; Managers' minutes, 1870-1904; Communion roll, 1888 (or earlier) - 1922.
  • CH3/1519
    Crossgates United Presbyterian Church Kirk Session, United Free, Church of Scotland
    Minutes, 1906-1948; Managers' minutes, 1939-1949.
  • MR65/1
    Limekilns Burgh Seceders
    Baptisms 1782 - 1865: these records have been filmed as part of the Minor Records series.

    The LDS have filmed the following records which may be consulted at LDS Family History Centres.
    LDS Library Film Numbers:

    1068239 Item 2 Limekilns Burgh Seceders and United Associate Congregation Blotter registers: Baptisms, 1782-1832; Baptisms (United Association Congregation), 1832-1857 Original documents: MR65/1-2 National Records of Scotland
    1068240 Item 1 Limekilns Burgh Seceders and United Associate Congregation Blotter registers: Baptisms (United Association Congregation), 1857-1865
    (Data provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)
At the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, USA, but available on microfilm at LDS Family History Centres around the world:
  • Microfilm no. 104150 Item 12
    Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dunfermline Branch
    Record of members, early to 1889.
  • Microfilm no. 104156 Item 6
    Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dunfermline Branch
    Records, 1887-1889.

Records retained by the church:

  • The Episcopal Church in Dunfermline (Holy Trinity) has registers which are still kept by the church. Those for the period before 1855 are listed below. A transcript of these entries has been published by the Fife Family History Society Baptismal Registers No. 4, also available on CD:
      Baptisms Marriages Deaths
    Dunfermline (Holy Trinity) 1840-1854 1840-1854 1840-1854

The Dunfermline page of the LDS Family Search Research Wiki has more information about church history and records.