John Fleming’s Web Site

Nil Illigitimus Carborundum

Finding of any links between the Adamsons of my family and those mentioned in the ancient records must be one area of research, although it may well be difficult. Another, and far more achievable goal is to find the dates and details of the journey to Australia of my grandfather (Andrew Foster Adamson (MF). It was said that he signed on as “ship’s carpenter” and jumped ship in Melbourne, but what ship and what date are as yet undetermined.

Any future researchers looking for clues in Pittenweem itself would be advised to tread very carefully. Although a number of Adamsons are still in residence there and in neighbouring villages, my experience of meeting with them has not been a wild success.

Without telling tales out of school, there are great enmities between Ken Adamson (code) and his sons. They really don’t appear to want to meet with Adamson relatives and some can behave in a less than friendly manner. The house at 13 Charles Street should likewise be avoided, other than from the outside. I approached the residents some years ago to see if I could get permission to visit and see the inside of the house, but the answer was a very direct and forthright rebuff. In short, the village is much prettier than some of its residents.

Following my visit to Pittenweem in May 2006, where I was made less than welcome by them, I wrote to Ken’s first wife Bathia (now Bathia Milne) and their four children offering my assistance with any research they wished to do on their ancestry. There were no replies.

In terms of determining family tree data, researchers should direct their efforts to the Registry Office in Edinburgh where the costs are reasonable and the staff helpful. There are some amazing revelations on certain recent marriage certificates.

Images etc here