Fishermen in Fife

[MarionRobertson]

Hi I would like to know if anyone could help me?
My great-great grandfather was a fisheman in Wemyss Fife as was his father and I am assuming that means they were on fishing boats, how would I find out what boats they were on. My Great-grandfathers name was Walter Robertson born 1822 his father was Andrew Robertson born 1788 they were both born in Wemyss Fife. any help would be most appreciated.
Marion

[Currie]

Hello Marion,

Is that your family living at Buckhaven East on FreeCen in 1841? Looking at all the residents of Buckhaven East and their occupations, it seems to be what could best be described as a fishing village. How far East of Buckhaven is Buckhaven East?

There’s some very interesting info about Fishing and Buckhaven in the Statistical Account of the 1790s (p516) http://books.google.com.au/books?id=7mj ... 22&f=false

More here from 1828 (p201)
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=2Hg ... 22&f=false

And here’s something about the Fisher Folk of Buckhaven (p504) According to that there were 100 boats, in 1862, each requiring a crew of four men. http://books.google.com.au/books?id=rB4 ... 22&f=false

I’m not sure how formalised things were for small fishing vessels, early records about anything, if they ever existed, can be difficult to find. Early regulations did not necessarily apply to vessels not requiring registration or to vessels solely engaged in fishing. Here’s some National Archives information about crews of merchant vessels. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/reco ... lp=rg-3158

There’s the CLIP Crew List Project on FMP. I think that’s only from 1861.

Probably not much help,
Alan

[MarionRobertson]

Hi Alan
I have just read the links you gave me regarding Buckhaven and I thought they where fantastic, I think that when I have the time
I will go to Fife and search their libraries for more information.
Thanks again Marion x

[LesleyB]

Hi Marion

Not sure if the Scottish Fisheries Museum may be able to help, but maybe worth visiting when you are in Fife, or contacting.
http://www.scotfishmuseum.org/

Best wishes
Lesley

[MarionRobertson]

Hi Lesley
When I go to Fife I will check out the Fisheries Museum and I will let you know how I get on.
Thanks Marion x

[geneve]

I do not think Buckhaven East would be separate from Buckhaven. It would just describe the geographical area within the town. I have some local knowledge.

[jennyblain]

hi Marion,
A cousin and I were speculating about Fife fishing boats a little while ago. Here are a few links about boats and some images:
http://www.historyshelf.org/secf/silver/links/linke.php (including short description of a 'Fifie')
http://www.scotfishmuseum.org/index.html
http://www.scottishfishingboats.co.uk/p ... reaper.htm
And a model fifie at http://www.scottishfishingboats.co.uk/m ... /fifie.htm

I've a shipwright in Leith (whom I've been trying to find out about for ages) and he may have come from Fife, in which case he may have learnt his trade in one of the fishing villages or St Andrews...

Jenny