Our trip to Innerpeffray Library was a great success. Everyone who went decided they would have to return as there was so much of interest. Lara, the Keeper of the Books, gave us a talk on the history of the library.

Last call for anyone wanting to go to Inerpeffray Library - please get in touch by Sunday 12 May if you wish to join us.

Fife Family History Society has arranged a visit to Innerpeffray Library, near Crieff.  Innerpeffray Library was the first free lending library in Scotland and was founded, along with a local school, around1680 by David Drummond, the third Lord Madertie.  The forward thinking benefactor left funds to allow the library to be used free of charge ‘in time coming’ by ordinary people.  Its Borrowers Register gives details of each borrower and the books they borrowed and can still be inspected today, giving fascinating insights into the local population over three centuries.

Fife FHS’s visit to Innerpeffray takes place on Tuesday 14 May. The cost which includes entry to the Library, a guided tour and talk, and a snack lunch is £8 for members £12 for non members.  You will need to arrange your own transport though some car sharing may be possible.  If you wish to join the visit please contact the Secretary of Fife FHS, Frances Black, on secretary@fifefhs.org or 01337-840351

AGM

AGM is confirmed as on 18th June at 7.30 at the same venue as our talks .

 This the VONEF Centre in Cupar (69 Crossgate, KY15 5AS) which is a 5 min walk from the train station and less for the main bus stops.  Crossgate is one of the main streets of Cupar, at the Market Cross, between St Catherine Street and the Bonnygate. At night there is parking outside the building and there are also two public car parks.  The VONEF centre is above the main Post Office in Crossgate, with the entrance to the right hand side when facing. Disabled chair.  All Welcome - speaker to be announced.

Two dates for your diary
Our AGM is on 18th June details later but probably same venue as the talks in Cupar.
Our outing is on 14th May is to Innerpeffray Library near Crieff. Please email or phone Secretary to let her know if you are interested in going. Transport can be arranged at various pick up points. We aim to be at the Library about 12.30 where we will have a light lunch before viewing.

The Library and School at Innerpeffray were founded by David Drummond 3rd Lord Madertie in around 1680, the first free public lending library in Scotland. Madertie was a member of the Drummond Family, one of the most important landowning families of the area, friend and brother-in-law to James Graham, First Marquis of Montrose.
The Borrowers' Register is perhaps the Library's most valuable book, a handwritten record all the local people to who came to choose a book, and take it home to read. Today, families from all over the world find their ancestors in the Register, often in their own handwriting, and can hold the books they borrowed.

A large turnout last night for our last talk of the season. DNA - by Ali MacDonald of the Scottish DNA project. This is a great tool in genealogical research so if you are interested in getting your DNA tested contact him at scottishdna@strath.ac.uk .

Our talks will resume next in September - so we will get our thinking caps on for some good speakers - any suggestions just email secretary@fifefhs.org

The next meeting of Fife Family History Society, to be held on Tuesday 9 April, will show how family history research can take advantage of modern scientific techniques.  By studying the DNA of living individuals, scientists can identify patterns which indicate each person’s origins.  DNA analysis can demonstrate a relatively small range of common origins within what may appear to be a large diverse population, and conversely can prove that apparent kindred groupings may have developed from a number of different ancestral sources.

Our speaker will be Alasdair MacDonald from the University of Strathclyde, who will be talking about the Scottish DNA Project.  The meeting will be held on 9 April in Volunteer House (formerly VONEF), 69 Crossgate, Cupar, KY15 5AS; and will commence at 7.30 p.m.   Non-members of Fife FHS are very welcome to attend for a nominal charge of £2 to cover refreshments.  Entry for members remains free. 

Our talk last night was again well attended, showing that our choice of venue has proved popular. The subject was Princess Titaua of Tahiti:  Royal Connections with Anstruther. This was an extremely interesting talk given by Chantal Knowles of the Museum of Scotland. Not only did she bring to life the Tahitian Royal Family, the way they lived but the fact the Princess Titaua was indeed a very important person. She latterly came to Anstruther where she sadly only lived for 5 years before she died. She and her daughter Paloma donated various items to the Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh - so that's a trip over in the diary!
http://www.nms.ac.uk/highlights/objects_in_focus/the_feast_bowl.aspx

Our next talk for your diary is Ali MacDonald talking about the Scottish DNA Project on 9 April.