SIX weeks ago Linda Conway thought she would struggle to find out much about her late great-grandfather, Lochgelly man James Nelson.

But now she has amazingly had visits from six relatives from Canada and there is more to come.

While researching her family tree Linda landed on the fact that her great-grandad had spent some years in Canada but she did not think she would get contact with any of her extended family.

But a 'shot in the dark' telephone call to Canada changed all that and in July she had Robert Nelson and his two daughters visit. That set up the link for her visitors of last week.

Said Linda: "It was simply amazing to meet my great grandpa James Nelson's great grandson, James Nelson. James is the son of Allyn Nelson, great grandpa's oldest grandson. Allyn and his wife Rita have another son named Dooley and are cattle breeders, of Dexter cattle in Colinton, Alberta".

James travelled to Scotland with his partner Jody-Lynn Collings and her mother Adele. They were staying in Tarland, in Aberdeenshire as Adele still has a Scottish connection to the area of Tarland as her cousin still stays there and this was their base during their visit. Adele was also tracing her Scottish Ancestors while she was here as her family emigrated from Scotland to Canada some years ago also.

Added Linda: " I took James, Adelle and Jody-Lynn to Auchterderran Church, where it all started, with great grandpa's marriage in 1920.

"We then went to Bowhill Cemetery where James's great-grandmother Annie Nelson is buried, then on to Dundonald where his grandfather Robert Wilson Nelson was born at 19 Dundonald Den, the Miners Rows, which is no longer there.

"Then onto Lochgelly Cemetery where our great grandpa Nelson is buried with his second wife Margaret Nelson. They also visited Timmons Park, where James's grandfather lived, and Shaw Crescent where our great grandpa Nelson lived."

Linda has also come across another missing link, John Band, who stays in Markinch.

She added: "Mr Band was James and my Great Grandpa Nelson's nephew!!!!

"John's sister Susan was also there and John had the Nelson Family Tree and some spectacular photos from our Great Grandpa Nelson's family and it was amazing looking back over the years, and getting to know more about John's family also. There was also a beautiful photo of my maternal Great Grandmother when she was only 20 years-old in 1914 with both her and Great Grandpa Nelson's first born, Andrew Nelson.

"What a surreal meeting, first James, Jody-Lynn and Adele in the morning, then our further meeting with John and Susan in Markinch in the afternoon. I came away with the Nelson Family Tree information to complete and forward on to the Canadian Nelson Family to enjoy the knowledge. They have so many links still to Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and beyond.

"What can I say. One speculative phone call and the Central Fife Times has brought our family together in such an amazing way."