John Kennedy was the Minister of East Wemyss prior to 1898 through at least his wife's death in 1939. I am looking for any descendants of this couple, I know they had two sons; George Rollo Kennedy born 1901 and David born 1909. John dies in 1963 at Windygates and Elizabeth died earlier in 1939. I wonder if there are any photos of the couple out there since he was the Minister and if they are buried in the East Wemyss Cemetery or somewhere else. Thanks for any ideas or assistance in advance.
Hi geniemom
I've just been scrolling through the old Fife posts and found this.
My cousin in Brisbane - a Rollo - is a 3rd cousin of the Reverend John's wife, Elizabeth, and we did a bit of 'digging' some time ago and found details for their sons:
David was born 23 March 1899 at The Manse, East Wemyss, married Mabel Kinninmonth on 8 March 1921 at 53 George IV Bridge, District of St Giles, City of Edinburgh. She was born 7 March 1900 at St Brycedale Avenue, Kirkcaldy, Fife and died on 19 December 1982 at 17 Souter Street, MacDuff, Banffshire. David died on 24 May 1980 at "Wemysshof", 69 Lady Nairn Avenue, Kirkcaldy, Fife.
George Rollo was born 23 August 1901 at the Manse as well, and married Mary Hampton Hart bet. January and March 1927 at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. She was born on 3 November 1904 at Measham, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire and died on 27 December 1990 at Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. George predeceased Mery on 16 November 1967, also in Wolverhampton.
Although we never did find any 'issue' for either son we did find this for them:
David:
1901 Census Residing at The Manse, East Wemyss, Parish of Wemyss, Fife
1911 Census Residing at Wemyss Manse, Wemyss, Fife - scholar
A 'Declaration of Passenger to Canada' Form 30A, completed in Edinburgh, shows David was accompanied by his wife Mabel and that his 'Object in going to Canada' was 'to train as fruit farmer'. Their destination was Mission City, British Columbia to a friend, Mrs V. Nightingale, Box 60, Mission City, B.C. David declared he had the required sum of £200 in his possession.
[In 2012, £200 0s 0d from 1921 was worth £7,510.00 using the retail price index or £27,500.00 using average earnings.]It would seem that David and Mabel were unable to settle in Canada and they sailed from Montréal, Québec on the S.S. 'Metagama' (Canadian Pacific Line) to Glasgow where they arrived on 18 Jun 1922
George:
"The Evening Post" : Saturday 24 August 1901
BIRTH
"Kennedy.-At Wemyss Manse, East Wemyss, on the 23d. inst., the wife of the Rev. John Kennedy, B.D., of a son."
1911 Census Residing at Wemyss Manse, Wemyss, Fife - scholar
UK Medical Registers for the years 1927, 1931, 1939, 1943, 1947, 1951 and 1959 show him in Claverley, Wolverhampton (Staffordshire), first Registered 26 Jul 1974 M.B., Ch.B. 1924 University of Edinburgh.
The 1932 Kelly's Directory for Bilston, Staffordshire lists him under "Bilston Area Guardians Committee. Vaccination Officers, the Registrars of Births & Deaths, Medical Officers & Public Vaccinators, Pattingham and Trysull District." - at Claverley
The 1934 Kelly's Directory for Bridgnorth, Shropshire lists him under "Bridgnorth Area Guardians Committee. Medical Officers : Bridgnorth No. 5 District." - at Claverley
"Aberdeen Journal" Aberdeen : Saturday 19 May 1834
"TAY PLEASURE BOAT OVERTURNS.
Occupants Rescued After Long Ordeal in Water.
For almost an hour yesterday three people were in danger of losing their lives when their pleasure dinghy overturned in the river Tay at Balmerino on the Fife shore, almost opposite Dundee.
The boat drifted half a mile from the shore with the occupants clinging to it until their plight was observed and a boat was manned at Balmerino. The occupants were - Dr George Rollo Kennedy, Mrs Kennedy, and Mr Alexander Gordon Hart, motor mechanic, Dr Kennedy's brother-in-law.
They were all residing at Rose Cottage, their summer residence at Balmerino.
There was a strong south-westerly wind when the party left the shore and the hoisted the mainsail allowed the dinghy to sail down the river.
Struck Sandbank.
When about a third of a mile from land the boat struck a small sandbank and capsized and threw all three occupants into the water.
They were able, however, to retain a grip of the upturned boat and, holding on precariously, drifted further out into the river towards the Tay Bridge.
Chiad Fhear
