Data Sources

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The following tables have links to the main data sources for historical information on Burntisland, including a page of notes for family history researchers.

Information available on this web site

Bibliography
A list of publications about Burntisland. Most of these are available in Kirkcaldy Central Library (see below) and some of them in Burntisland Library (also see below).

Fife Council Archives
The papers of Burntisland Town Council and related organisations, from the period 1689 to 1975.

Statistical Accounts
Life in Burntisland in the 1790s and a link to 1836.

Some notes for family history researchers

  

Information available elsewhere
(also see the Links page)

National Archives of Scotland
Their extensive holdings include Burntisland church records, valuation rolls, maps and plans, wills, land records, court records, records of taxes, and the papers of the Burntisland Shipbuilding Company and the North British Railway Company.

Scotland's Places
Comprehensive information and images relating to everything from individual houses to cities. Searches can be a little confusing - for example, if you enter 'Burntisland' in the search box you get two hits; but if you select 'Burntisland' (parish) from 'Places A-Z' you get over 600!

National Library of Scotland
Noted for having, inter alia, what is reckoned to be the best map collection in Scotland.

Registers of Scotland
The custodians of information on ownership of Scotland's land and properties. They will carry out property searches, and have a facility on their web site for ordering copies of old title deeds. The deeds themselves are held by the National Archives of Scotland (see above) and can be examined by visiting NAS.

Kirkcaldy Central Library
The holdings include most of the publications listed in the Bibliography, old photographs and maps, microfilm copies of local newspapers (notably the Fife Free Press 1871 to date, and the Fifeshire Advertiser 1845 to 1965), and copies of family history source material such as censuses and parish registers.

Burntisland Library & Museum
Burntisland Library has some historical information, including lending copies of the most popular books on Burntisland's history. Housed in the same building is the Museum Service's Edwardian Fair exhibition, with an accompanying display of old photographs of Burntisland.

Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery
As well as having many Burntisland artefacts in storage, the Museum holds a large collection of photographs of Burntisland.

Burntisland Heritage Trust
The Trust holds regular summer exhibitions of general interest at its premises at 4 Kirkgate, Burntisland. During the exhibitions, the public also have access to the extensive holdings of pictures, scrapbooks and other material.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church has a Family History Centre in Winifred Crescent, Kirkcaldy. It is open to everyone, not just Church members. There is a great deal of local genealogical information available, and there is no charge for using the resources held in Kirkcaldy. The Centre also has access to information held elsewhere, and the volunteer staff are happy to order microfilms etc for you to view at the Kirkcaldy Centre; charges for this service are very reasonable. The Centre is open at various hours in the daytime and evening. Further information can be obtained by telephoning 01592 640041.

The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
Their CANMORE database has details of many of Burntisland's historic buildings; and their CANMAP facility shows what the town has to offer.

Cemeteries and Burial Records
Burntisland has three cemeteries: the churchyard of the Kirkton Church in Church Street; the churchyard of the  Parish Church in East Leven Street; and the new cemetery (opened about 1885) in Kinghorn Road. Burial records for Burntisland are held at the Fife Council Burial Office, Kirkcaldy Crematorium, Dunnikier Park, Kirkcaldy, Fife, KY1 3PL (telephone 01592 260277).

Fife Family History Society: 'The Archives of Fife' (see under 'Publications)
I strongly recommend this comprehensive booklet by Andrew Campbell of the FFHS, which can be ordered online.

Webpage by Iain Sommerville; Help on bookmarking this page.

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