Hunter Family History Lochgelly Fife

William and Isabella (nee McKinlay) Hunter lived for many years in the coal mining community of Lochgelly where they died in 1925.
They had successive homes in Grainger Street, Chapel Street and Plantation Street.

I would guess this photo of my great grandparents dates from around 1920.

Whilst looking for information about the family I stumbled across online software which can be used to animate old photographs.
The video clip below was created using the above image.
If you sign up for a free trial on the MyHeritage website it's possible to animate a limited number of portraits.
I suppose that in the future image manipulation of this kind will be widely used for those creating and presenting a family history.
I'm undecided if I like it or if it contributes much of value.

Moving on... below is an extract from the Hunter Family Tree.
Note that at present (April, 2021) I'm still updating the content of both this page and the tree.
There's a reference number given to each individual which will help with identification.

I did sign up on the ScotlandsPeople website and purchase a few records.
On a separate blog page there are links to downloaded civil register entries of births, marriages and deaths for viewing as PDF files.

You'll see below that William (F1) and Isabella (F1.2) had 13 children, although not all survived to adulthood.

This list includes dates which have not yet been added to the tree.

William & Isabella Hunter, and Children

William Hunter (F1)
b. 1853
d. 22-06-1925, age 72
m. 03-10-1879
to Isabella McKinlay

Isabella McKinlay (F1.2)
b. 23-02-1856
d. 12-12-1925, age 69
m. 03-10-1879
to William Hunter

Ann Forbes Hunter (K1)
b. 11-02-1880
d. 16-01-1948, age 68
m. 16-11-1899
to Adam Hynd

William Hunter (K2)
b. 12-05-1881
d. 19-05-1881, age 7 days

Peter Hunter (K3)
b. 12-05-1881
d. 20-05-1881, age 8 days

William Hunter (K4)
b. 26-07-1882
d. (not known)

William McKinlay Hunter (K5)
b.14-08-1884
d. 11-06-1887, age 3

James Hunter (K6)
b. 1884-85?
d. 11-11-1953, age 69
m. 16-07-1907
to Margaret Hunter

Lilias Gordon Hunter (K7)
b. 13-01-1887
d. 16-01-1952, age 65
m. 05-04-1907
to Andrew Archibald

William Hunter (K8)
b. 08-04-1888
d. 08-08-1972, age 84
m. 30-12-1912
to Mary Paton Douglas
m. 1966
to Charlotte Dickson (Gray)

Peter Hunter (K9)
b. 12-06-1889
d. (not known)
m. 16-02-1923
to Catherine Pryde Morris

David Thomson Hunter (K10)
b. 15-02-1891
d.  06-02-1966, age 74
m. 11-03-1916
to Janet L. Graham
m. 11-10-1941
to Janet Gilliard Pye

Isabella McKinlay Hunter (K11)
b. 23-02-1892
d. 1978, age 86
m. 10-05-1918
to Joseph Carr

Alexander Forbes Hunter (K12)
b. 20-04-1895
d. 23-04-1917, age 22
age 22, WWI

Thomas Hunter (K13)
b. 15-01-1897
d. 13-09-1963, age 66
m. 29-12-1922
to Janet McLay

It can be seen that the following children, born from 1881 to 1884, died as babies or when very young.
William (K2), Peter (K3), William (K4) and William McKinlay (K5).

This is a photograph of William and Isabella Hunter and all nine of their surviving children in 1901.

The photo was taken in the studio of James A. Kirkhope, Dunfermline.

From left to right in each row, family members are as follows.
Top ~ David (K10), Lilias (K7), James (K6), William (K8), Peter (K9).
Middle ~ William (F1), Alexander (K12), Ann (K1), Isabella (F1.2).
Bottom ~ Thomas (K13), Isabella (K11).

At that time the family lived in Lochgelly.
There was a massive growth in coal mining activity in the town and the surrounding areas from the late 19th century. 
It's very possible that the Hunters migrated from Prestonpans to West Fife in search of employment.
Given that William (K8) was born in Prestonpans and Peter (K9) in Cowdenbeath, the family must have made the move in 1888-89.

I've also been checking out online censuses on the Scotland's People website.

The 1881 census shows that William (age 28) and Isabella (age 24) lived on the High Street of Prestonpans and had one child, Ann aged 1 year. William's occupation then and throughout his working life was a coal miner.

Also at that Prestonpans address was David Thomson, described as a 16 year old boarder.
Interestingly, a son born in 1891 in Lochgelly to William and Isabella was named David Thomson Hunter (K10).

Details below are from the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census records for Lochgelly.

1891 Census

The family was living at Grainger Street, Lochgelly in 1891.
The number of rooms with one or more windows was recorded as 2.
A total of 8 people were living at that address on the day of the census...

William Hunter
Head of Family
Age 38. Married
Coal Miner 
Born Prestonpans

Isabella Hunter
Wife. Age 36. Married
Born Prestonpans

Anne Hunter
Daughter. Age 11.
Scholar
Born Prestonpans

James Hunter
Son. Age 6.
Scholar
Born Prestonpans

Lily Hunter
Daughter. Age 4.
Born Prestonpans

William Hunter
Son. Age 3.
Born Prestonpans

Peter Hunter
Son. Age 2.
Born Beath

David Hunter
Son. Age 1 month.
Born Auchterderran

Peter Hunter was in fact born in Cowdenbeath in 1889.
David, with place of birth recorded as the Parish of Auchterderran was born in Lochgelly, as later census records confirm.

1901 Census

The family was living at 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly in 1901.
The number of rooms with one or more windows was recorded as 2.
A total of 10 people were living at that address on the day of the census...

William Hunter
Head of Family
Age 47. Married
Coal Miner 
Born Prestonpans

Isabella Hunter
Wife. Age 45. Married
Born Prestonpans

James Hunter
Son. Age 16.
Coal Miner
Born Prestonpans

Lily Hunter
Daughter. Age 14.
Linen Weaver
Born Prestonpans

William Hunter
Son. Age 12.
Coal Miner
Born Prestonpans

Peter Hunter
Son. Age 11.
Scholar
Born Beath

David Hunter
Son. Age 10.
Scholar
Born Auchterderran

Bella Hunter
Daughter. Age 9.
Scholar
Born Auchterderran

Alexander Hunter
Son. Age 5.
Scholar
Born Auchterderran

Thomas Hunter
Son. Age 4
Born Auchterderran

Ann is no longer part of the household having married in 1899.
The children David, Bella, Alexander and Thomas with place of birth recorded as the Parish of Auchterderran were in fact born in Lochgelly, which the 1911 census confirms.

1911 Census

The family was still living at 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly in 1911.
The number of rooms with one or more windows was recorded as 2.
A total of 8 people lived at that address on the day of the census...

William Hunter
Head of Family
Age 58. Married
Coal Miner (Hewer)
Born Prestonpans

Isabella Hunter
Wife. Age 56. Married
Duration of Marriage 32 years
Children born Alive, 13
Children still Living, 9
Born Prestonpans

William Hunter
Son. Age 22. Single
Coal Miner (Hewer)
Born Prestonpans

Peter Hunter
Son. Age 21. Single
Coal Miner (Hewer)
Born Beath

David Hunter
Son. Age 20. Single
Coal Miner (Hewer)
Born Lochgelly

Isabella Hunter
Daughter. Age 19. Single
Born Lochgelly

Alexander Hunter
Son. Age 15. Single
Draper's Assistant
Born Lochgelly

Thomas Hunter
Son. Age 14
Baker (Making)
Born Lochgelly

Comparing the above extract from the 1911 census with that of 1901, it can be seen that James and Lilias are no longer part of the household both having married in 1907.

1921 Census

The 1921 census will hopefully be released soon, when its 100 years closure period ends.
I'll add details here when that happens.

Just off Auchterderran Road, is the Lochgelly Cemetery.
The enormous headstone on the family grave records that in 1925 when they died William and Isabella had been living at 29 Plantation Street, Lochgelly.

It also reads that their son Alexander Forbes Hunter was killed in action at Arras in 1917.
The grandchildren named on the headstone, William and Isabella, are the children of James (K6) and Margaret (K6.1) Hunter.

Plantation Street Lochgelly

Here's a map of Lochgelly in the late 19th century and an aerial photograph (taken from the south) from 1932 which show the location of Plantation Street.

Plantation Street runs eastwards from High Street, which is the broad roadway running vertically towards the Town House in the centre of this photograph.
Photograph comes from BritainfromAbove.

Above is a closer view.
Along Plantation Street there's a row of cottages immediately below a series of garden allotments.

Is that why it's called Plantation Street? .... probably not, for in 2020 concerns were being raised in the Fife press over the future use of that street name because of links to slavery.

In the following section I'll list more of what is known about the children of William and Isabella Hunter.
Includes details from civil registers, censuses and other records.

Ann Forbes Hunter (K1)

Birth
Date ~ 11th February, 1880.
Place ~ (illegible), Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Marriage
Date ~ 16th November, 1899.
Age ~ 19.
Occupation ~ Pithead Worker.
Address ~ 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly.
Married at ~ 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly.
Ceremony ~ Church of Scotland.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Husband ~ Adam Hynd.
Age ~ 19.
Occupation ~ Coal Miner.
Address ~ 15 South Street, Lochgelly.

Death
Date ~ 16th February 1948.
Age ~ 68.
Place of Death ~ 106 Small Street, Lochgelly.
Widow of ~ Adam Hynd (Coal Miner).
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner (Deceased).
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter, MS McKinlay (Deceased).
Informant ~ William Hynd. Son. 9 Grainger Street, Lochgelly.

Censuses
1881 ~ Daughter to William and Isabella. Address, High Street, Prestonpans. Age 1. Born Prestonpans.
1891 ~ Daughter to William and Isabella. Address, Grainger Street, Lochgelly. Age 11. Scholar. Born Prestonpans.

Additional Notes
The name Forbes comes from the maiden surname of Ann's mother Isabella McKinley. That name was given to two of the children of William and Isabella and one grandchild (my father William Alexander Forbes Hunter).

William Hunter (K2)
Peter Hunter (K3)

Birth
Name ~ William Hunter.
Date ~ 12th May, 1881.
Place ~ Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Death
Name ~ William Hunter.
Date ~ 19th May, 1881.
Age ~ 7 days.
Place of Death ~ Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter, MS McKinlay.

Birth
Name ~ Peter Hunter.
Date ~ 12th May, 1881.
Place ~ Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Death
Name ~ Peter Hunter.
Date ~ 19th May, 1881.
Age ~ 8 days.
Place of Death ~ Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter, MS McKinlay.

Additional Notes
William and Peter were twins who died a week after birth.
The cause of death is recorded as 'general debilities'.

William Hunter (K4)
William McKinlay Hunter (K5)

Birth
Name ~ William Hunter.
Date ~ 26th July, 1882.
Place ~ West End, Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Birth
Name ~ William McKinlay Hunter.
Date ~ 14th August, 1884.
Place ~ 4 Middle Street, Cuthill, Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Death
Name ~ William Hunter.
Date ~ 11th June, 1887.
Age ~ 4 years.
Place of Death ~ 1 Middle Street, Cuthill, Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter, MS McKinlay.

Additional Notes
Both William and William McKinlay are listed above.
Given that a subsequent child in 1888 was also named William Hunter (K8) it can be assumed that neither of these two children survived.
However only one death certificate has been discovered for which the age of 4 years doesn't quite correspond with either of the above birth dates.
The death certificate is most likely that of William McKinlay Hunter.

James Hunter (K6)

Birth
Date ~ 1884-85?
(No record found)

Marriage
Date ~ 16th July, 1907.
Age ~ 22.
Occupation ~ Coal Miner.
Address ~ 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly.
Married at ~ Auchterderran Church.
Ceremony ~ Established Church of Scotland.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Wife ~ Margaret Hunter.
Age ~ 22.
Occupation ~ Domestic Servant.
Address ~ Bowhill, Fife.

Death
Date ~ 11-11-1953.
Age ~ 69.
 
Censuses
1891 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, Grainger Street, Lochgelly. Age 6. Scholar. Born Prestonpans.
1901 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 16. Coal Miner. Born Prestonpans.

Additional Notes
No birth record found although the marriage and census documents indicate James was born in Prestonpans in 1885.
Auchterderran Church where James and Margaret were married in 1907.

Lilias Gordon Hunter (K7)

Birth
Date ~ 13th January, 1887.
Place ~ 1 Middle Street, Cuthill, Prestonpans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Marriage
Date ~ 5th April, 1907.
Age ~ 20.
Occupation ~ Linen Factory Worker
Address ~ 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly.
Married at ~ The Manse, Lochgelly.
Ceremony ~ Church of Scotland.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Husband ~ Andrew Archibald.
Age ~ 22.
Occupation ~ Coal Miner.
Address ~ 15 Kennard Street, Lochgelly.

Death
Date ~ 16th January, 1952.
Age ~ 65.
Place of Death ~ 105 Auchterderran Road, Lochgelly.
Married to ~ Andrew Archibald.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner (Deceased).
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter, MS McKinlay (Deceased).
Informant ~ David Arthur. Son-in-Law. 15 McGregor Avenue, Lochgelly.

Censuses
1891 ~ Lily. Daughter to William and Isabella. Address, Grainger Street, Lochgelly. Age 4. Born Prestonpans.
1901 ~ Lily. Daughter to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 14. Linen Weaver. Born Prestonpans.

Additional Notes

Many thanks to Nadia Bernard, great great granddaughter of Lilias Gordon Hunter, for contacting me through this web page, clearing up my confusion and providing the following information about the family.

Lilias Gordon Hunter had six daughters with Andrew Archibald.

Jess, Ella, Peg, Mary (May), Isabella and Lily.

Lily was Nadia's great grandmother.

May Whitelaw Archibald was born in 1910 and married David Arthur in 1935.

Her daughter, Lilias Gordon Arthur was born in 1936.

Lilias, a teacher, was unmarried and lived in Stewart Crescent, Lochgelly.

I discovered that Lilias Arthur died in August 2020, apparently when in Mossview Care Home, Lochgelly.

The following photos were kindly provided by Mark Ramage, grandson of Isabella Hunter (K11) and Joe Carr.
The first photo is of Lilias Arthur with young Mark. Lilias was Mark's godmother.
The second is of May Arthur.

William (Willie) Hunter (K8)

These are my grandparents William and Mary photographed around the time of the 1st World War.
I've more information which needs to be added here.

In the censuses of 1901 (then aged 12) and 1911, William's occupation was recorded as a coal miner.
At a later date he became a tram driver in Cowdenbeath.
He was disqualified from joining the army due to flat feet long considered an impediment to military service.
In due course he found work in what was then called the 'laboratory' of the Royal Naval Armament Depot, Crombie.
That involved the maintenance, testing and packing of ammunition.

I've posted elsewhere about William Hunter and the Brothers of The Independent Order of Rechabites.
That post includes photographs of as yet unidentified possible lady family members proudly upholding the virtues of temperance and self-denial.

Peter Hunter (K9)

Birth

Date ~ 12th June, 1889.

Place ~ 25 Oakley Road, Cowdenbeath.

Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner (Retired).

Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).

Parents Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Marriage

Date ~ 16th February, 1923.
Age ~ 33.

Occupation ~ Coal Miner.

Address ~ 29 Plantation Street, Lochgelly.

Married at ~ 12 Woodland Place, Cowdenbeath.
Ceremony ~ Church of Scotland.

Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner (Retired).

Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).

Wife ~ Catherine Pryde Morris.
Age ~ 25.

Occupation ~ Rubber Factory Worker.

Address ~ 12 Woodland Place, Cowdenbeath.

Death
(not known)

Censuses

1891 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, Grainger Street, Lochgelly. Age 2. Born Beath.

1901 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 11. Scholar. Born Beath.

1911 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 21. Single. Occupation, Coal Miner (Hewer). Born Beath.

Additional Notes
Nothing else yet known about Peter and his family.
Are there descendants in Lochgelly?

David Thomson Hunter (K10)

Birth
Date ~ 15th February, 1891.
Place ~ Grainger Street, Lochgelly.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Marriage (1)
Date ~ 11th March, 1916.
Age ~ 25.
Occupation ~ Coal Miner.
Address ~ 29 Plantation Street, Lochgelly.
Married at ~ 8 Bank Street, Edinburgh.
Ceremony ~ By Declaration.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner (Retired).
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Wife ~ Janet L. Graham.
Age ~ 18.
Occupation ~ Clerkess.
Address ~ 5 West Cottage, Cardenden.
MS of Mother ~ Lister.

Marriage (2)
Date ~ 11th October, 1941.
Age ~ 50.
Status ~ Divorced.
Occupation ~ Coal Miner.
Address ~ 50 North Glencraig, Lochore.
Married at ~ Office of the Registrar, Lochgelly.
Ceremony ~ Marriage Scotland Act 1939.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner (Retired).
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Wife ~ Janet Gilliard Pye.
Age ~ 46.
Occupation ~ Housewife (Widow).
Address ~ 36 Mungall Street, Lumpninnans.
MS of Mother ~ Jackson.

Death
Date ~ 6th February, 1966.
Age ~ 74.
Occupation ~ Coal Miner (Retired).
Marital Status ~ Widower.
Name of Spouse (1) ~ Janet Graham.
Name of Spouse (2) ~ Janet Pye.
Place of Death ~ Cameron Hospital, Windygates.
Usual Residence ~ 5 Furnace Place, Lumphinnans.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner (Deceased).
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter, MS McKinlay (Deceased).
Informant ~ Alfred Pye, Son.

Censuses
1891 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, Grainger Street, Lochgelly. Age 1 month, 6. Born Auchterderran.
1901 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 10. Scholar. Born Auchterderran.
1911 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 20. Coal Miner (Hewer). Born Lochgelly.

Additional Notes
David and Janet Graham were married at 8 Bank Street, Edinburgh which is within the Parish of St.Giles. However this was not a religious ceremony, although still recorded in the civil register.
It seems numerous marriages were held at that Edinburgh address.
During World War 1, and before Registration Office weddings, marriages could occur by declaration before witnesses. A quick wedding could be had in this way.
David divorced Janet Graham and in 1941 married widow Janet Gilliard Pye. It's possible that Janet Pye died in Lochgelly in 1961 at the age of 65 though that would need to be confirmed.
What is missing so far is any record of children born to David and his first wife Janet Graham.

Isabella McKinlay Hunter (K11)

Birth
Date ~ 23rd February, 1892.
Place ~ 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Marriage
Date ~ 10th May, 1918.
Age ~ 26.
Occupation ~ Butcher's Assistant.
Address ~ 29 Plantation Street, Lochgelly.
Married at ~ U.F. Manse, Lochcraig, Lochore.
Ceremony ~ United Free Church of Scotland.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Husband ~ Joseph Carr.
Age ~ 26.
Occupation ~ Coal Miner.
Address ~ 56 South Glencraig, Lochgelly.

Death
Date ~ 1978.
Age ~ 86.
Place of Death ~ Aberdour.

Censuses
1901 ~ Daughter to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 9. Scholar. Born Auchterderran.
1911 ~ Daughter to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 19. Born Lochgelly.

Additional Notes

The United Free Church, Lochcraig.
Isabella and Joe Carr were married in the manse in 1918.

That church has since been demolished.

The above photograph of 'Bella' with her grandson Mark Ramage was taken in 1963/64.
I'm really grateful to Mark for contacting me via this website and providing this and other photos.
Mark and his family live in France.

Alexander Forbes Hunter (K12)

Birth
Date ~ 20th April, 1895.
Place ~ 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Censuses
1901 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 5. Scholar. Born Auchterderran.
1911 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 15. Single. Occupation, Draper's Assistant. Born Lochgelly.

Death
Date ~ 23rd April, 1917.
Place ~ Killed in action at the Battle of Arras

Additional Notes
These are details from the Lochgelly War Memorial website...
"Private Alexander Hunter, 266602, 6th (Perthshire) Battalion (Territorial) Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), previously 4186.
Born Lochgelly, Fife. Enlisted Lochgelly. Residence Lochgelly.
Killed in action 23rd April 1917.
Grave reference I.E.34. Brown’s Copse Cemetery, Roeux, Pas de Calais, France".

This notice appeared in the Dunfermline Press on 12th May, 1917...

"Private Alex Hunter, Black Watch, Lochgelly, is reported to have been killed in action.
Private Hunter, who enlisted fifteen months ago, was a Draper with Lochgelly, Co-operative Society."

Private Alexander Hunter was awarded the British and Victory medals.
Upon his death his family would have received the plaque widely known as the “Dead Man’s Penny” and a scroll from King George V.

The Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects (1901-1929) record what the UK government paid to the next of kin upon a soldier's death.

As regards Private Alexander Hunter, his father William received £2-12s-4d on 30th August 1917 and a further £5 on 29th October 1919.

A film exists of a ceremony marking the unveiling of the Lochgelly war memorial on the 3rd December 1924.

Alexander's name of course appears on that memorial and it's more than likely that members of his extensive family attended the ceremony.

Thomas Hunter (K13)

Birth
Date ~ 15th January, 1897.
Place ~ 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Married ~ 3rd October, 1879. Prestonpans.

Marriage
Date ~ 29th December, 1922.
Age ~ 25.
Occupation ~ Railway Signalman.
Address ~ 29 Plantation Street, Lochgelly.
Married at ~ Macainsh Church Lochgelly.
Ceremony ~ United Free Church of Scotland.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner.
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter (MS McKinlay).
Wife ~ Janet McLay.
Age ~ 22.
Occupation ~ Rubber Worker.
Address ~ 21 Butler Street, Lochgelly.
MS of Mother ~ Duncan

Death
Date ~ 13th September, 1963.
Age ~ 66.
Occupation ~ Railway Signalman (Retired).
Married to ~ Janet McLay.
Place of Death ~ Vale of Leven Hospital, Alexandria.
Usual Residence ~ 102 Glasgow Road, Dumbarton.
Father ~ William Hunter, Coal Miner (Deceased).
Mother ~ Isabella Hunter, MS McKinlay (Deceased).
Informant ~ William Hunter, Son. 690 Crow Road, Glasgow.

Censuses
1901 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 4. Born Auchterderran.
1911 ~ Son to William and Isabella. Address, 16 Chapel Street, Lochgelly. Age 14. Baker (Making). Born Lochgelly.

Additional Notes
Macainsh United Free Church Lochgelly where Tom and Nettie were married in 1922. The marriage was actually registered in January 1923.

As a young child I was taken to the railway signal box where Uncle Tom worked and was allowed to pull on some of the levers (well, at least try).
This would have been in the 1950s and possibly on a weekend visit to Dumbarton.
I also recall trout being caught on those visits, most likely in Gruggies Burn which was a short walk from their house.

The houses in which the Hunters lived in Lochgelly were constructed specifically for mine workers and their families.
The following description of the standard of that accommodation was presented to a Royal Commission on 13th October 1913...
"A large proportion of the houses are very old. Others are badly rent, owing to underground workings. Many of the houses have no scullery or wash-house. Many have no coalhouse, coals having to be kept under the bed.
While water-closets are provided, they are in many cases in the proportion of one to four families.
A number of old houses at Launcherhead, near the Station, belonging to the Earl of Minto and owned by the Lochgelly Iron and Coal Company, Limited, are damp, and should be demolished".

I suspect living conditions may not have greatly improved at the time this film was made in 1927.

In the film there are glimpses of the Lochgelly Co-op building in Bank Street, gala celebrations, the town band and an 'Auld Folks Outing'. The pensioners are seen setting off for the Crook of Devon, always a popular destination for day trips from West Fife.

If you believe you could contribute to this family tree please don't hesitate to get in touch. There's a contact form at the foot of the page.