Dunfermline Heritage Community Projects

DHCP, as it is known, grew out of the Dunfermline Burgh Survey Community Project. A group of volunteers worked for two years on research for the Burgh Survey, which was published in October 2007 as Historic Dunfermline. Some of the volunteers wanted to continue to work together to research and promote Dunfermline’s history and heritage.  

This is the Aim of DHCP as set out in its Constitution

To promote interest in and understanding of Dunfermline’s history, heritage and archaeology by the following means:

·         Publishing researched material generally related to the History, Heritage and Archaeology of Dunfermline.

·         Creating, maintaining and developing a website to act as a reference source for the people of Dunfermline as well as people from outwith the burgh who are interested in, or wish to further their knowledge of, the burgh.

·         Maintaining a team of member volunteers to research and produce new material related to Dunfermline’s history and heritage.

·         Creating, maintaining and expanding an archive of material related to Dunfermline’s history, heritage and archaeology.

·         Liaising with other similar groups and organisations in the Dunfermline area to encourage awareness of Dunfermline’s history, heritage and archaeology. 

The Publications Group

This group was set up initially to publish the Burgh Survey research material which was not used in the book. However researchers with new suggestions are invited to submit their ideas for publication. The Group Committee meets regularly to review progress and suggest new titles. 

Dunfermline City Archive

The Archive arose in response to the need to conserve surviving records and material relating to Dunfermline’s rich and royal history and heritage and was officially opened in April 2008. As well as collecting records relating to the Dunfermline Abbey we are working with the National Archives of Scotland, Fife Archives and Fife Council to conserve Burgh and other records. We are also hunting out old business records, maps, plans and deeds, no longer needed, from Solicitors’ offices and elsewhere. We ingather records not already in care and ask the public to loan or donate local history records and family papers. DHCP volunteers staff the Archive at Walmer Drive, Dunfermline. We are open every Wednesday and Friday morning 10 o’clock until 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to visit and find out what is going on at these times. 

Liaison

The Chairman has a remit to create and maintain links with other local historical organisations and relevant Fife Council departments on behalf of DHCP. Tobe Gardner is the current Chairman. 

The Local History Study Group

This is an existing group which has been running for some years. It meets during the autumn and winter at 2.30pm on the first Wednesday of the month in the Reading Room of  our Dunfermline City Archives. Its purpose is to go more deeply into all aspects of local history. The speaker at each meeting is usually someone who has studied a topic in some depth or is a specialist in a particular area.

The Abbey Graveyard Project

This ambitious project aims to record in detail every grave and gravestone in the Abbey Kirkyard, with a view eventually to putting the results on the DHCP website.  Fieldwork is carried out during the late spring, summer and early autumn and documentary research and backup work during the winter.  

Burgh Survey Follow Up Project

Several ongoing heritage issues were highlighted in the Historic Dunfermline Burgh Survey. This project, led by a well-known and respected historian, aims to continue to bring these issues to the attention of relevant statutory bodies in order to resolve the issues and hence improve the historical status of Dunfermline. 

West Fife Family History Group

This group is open to anyone who is interested in researching their family history. The ever-expanding DHCP archive is available for study and volunteers with genealogy expertise are available to discuss your family history at the Archive any Wednesday or Friday morning from 10 o’clock until noon. Details of the group’s monthly meetings and activities of this group can be found on the DHCP website and the Project Leader’s contact details are on this leaflet.

Dunfermline’s Hinterland

As well as being an important burgh, Dunfermline in the past was a very rural town with strong links to the countryside around it. In association with the Scotland’s Rural Past (SRP) project of the RCAHMS (Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland ) this project aims to identify, survey & record rural buildings of historical significance which are in danger of being lost to posterity through age and/or change of use. Surveying and fieldwork are done and the less active members carry out documentary research. The nucleus of the Dunfermline’s Hinterland Project lies within the Local History Study Group, but membership is open to anyone who is interested in this line of research. 

Membership of DHCP 

The DHCP membership fee is currently set at a nominal £2pa. This allows members to participate in as many project activities as they wish. If there is any project you are interested in joining, you will find contact details for the project leaders below