Chance call leads to a family re-union

Although she now stays in Dunfermline, Linda spent many happy days in Lochgelly as youngster visiting her relations.

She was particularly interested in her great grandad James Nelson, who was a miner who decided to emigrate to Canada with his first wife and son in 1927.

Linda wanted to find out more about James and how the family developed in Canada and was really surprised by what she discovered.

James had returned to Lochgelly in 1932 but quite a significant Nelson family was to develop in Canada.

She said: "I managed to discover that there were quite a few Nelsons with Lochgelly and Cardenden connections out there and I managed to get a telephone number and decided to go for it.

"I got in touch and amazingly discovered that members of the family were coming to Scotland and Ireland as part of a holiday."

It was Ronald David Nelson and his daughters Kirby and Kelsey who arrived at Lochgelly station on Friday morning.

Added Linda: "I was able to take them to Auchterderran Church, where James and his wife were married, and also visit the grave of Ronald's gran at Bowhill Cemetery.

"The people of the church were amazing and showed Ronald and his daughters around the renovated building which was only going back into action at the weekend after the work being completed .

"We also visit Ronald's grandfather's grave at Lochgelly cemetery and then the old family homes in Shaw Crecsent and Timmons Park where we were warmly welcomed by the residents.

"Ronald, Kirby and Kelsey were overwhelmed by the warmness of the welcome and delighted that they made the visit."

But there is another visitor coming from Canada later this month.

Added Linda: "Ronald's nephew James is coming over so I am hoping to also meet with him.

"It is quite amazing at what a slightly speculative telephone call has achieved.

"I am so pleased that I started all this delving into the family history."