History of Leith, Edinburgh

January 31, 2006

Death and destruction in God’s house

FOR THE people of Kirkcaldy, Fife, Sunday, 15 June 1828 was a day of great anticipation that turned to tragedy when the town’s worst modern disaster struck, crushing the expectant hopes of those who had gathered in the parish church and leaving 29 people dead. for more click here

Scottish actor to unveil new gravestone

Mick Southworth, CEO of The Works UK Distribution, today announced that Scottish actor James Cosmo is to unveil a new gravestone in Greyfriars Kirkyard at 10.30am on February 2.
The gravestone is a memorial for James Brown, former sexton of Greyfriars, who tended the kirkyard during the time that Greyfriars Bobby was in residence. James Brown died in 1868, and although he is buried in the Kirkyard, he was never given a gravestone. for more click here

January 30, 2006

Trade Unions and Co-operative Societies

Note: surviving records of Scottish co-operative societies formerly held by the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society in their Glasgow Head Office have been deposited with the City of Glasgow Council Archives, Mitchell Library, North Street, Glasgow G3 7DN. for more click here

Wight Family

George WIGHT. George died before 1889. Occupation: Farm servant on sons death cert.

In 1797 George married Janet THOMSON, in Yester, East Lothian. Janet died before 1889.

They had the following children:

i. Robert. Born on 30 8 1798 in Yester, East Lothian.

ii. Helen. Born on 11 8 1800 in Yester, East Lothian. Helen was baptized in Yester, East Lothian on 31 8 1800.

iii. William. Born on 3 12 1802 in Yester, East Lothian.

iv. George. Born on 27 7 1807 in Yester, East Lothian.

2 v. Thomas (1810-1889)

vi. James. Born in 1813 in Humbie East Lothian, Scotland.

for more click here

The Genealogy of the Balfour Family.

Alexander Balfour of Inchrye. Born 1470. Died before 1518 aged between forty and fifty. In charge of the King’s cellar (Master of the Cellar) 1499 and 1501. King James IV gave him in lease a tack of Inchrye, near Denmylne in 1502. Confirmed in feu ferme 1510. Married, probably early in 16th century, Janet Wemyss. for more click here

The Thorburn-Macfie Family Society

The Thorburn-Macfie Family Society in Sweden was founded in 1937 by descendants of William Thorburn and his wife Jessy (née Macfie) who in July 1823 removed to Sweden from Leith in Scotland.
William was the eldest son of William Thorburn of Leith, an industrious and well known tea merchant. In 1813 he (William Jr.) married Jessy Macfie, the youngest daughter of Robert Macfie of Greenock and Langhouse. for more click here

Holyrood Charter


This is a Charter from David I to Holyrood Abbey

Priceless pieces of history left to gather dust

PRICELESS records of Edinburgh’s rich past could be lost forever because of staff shortages and inadequate storage at the city archive, leading Scots historians have warned.

Thousands of artefacts, detailing the history of the capital from the tenth century to the present day, are kept beneath the City Chambers and in a warehouse at Murrayburn. for more click here

17th century house of a Skinner


The above picture is from a house still standing in the High Street, Edinburgh. The carved knife of the Incorporation of Skinners can be seen above the Scroll over the door. A similar emblem can be seen at South Leith Church.

Broadside entitled ‘Rumour of Burking in Leith’

This broadside report begins: ‘A Full, True, and Interesting Account of the Serious Rumours at present afloat of Two Fish-Women being missed in Leith within a few days past, and of their bodies having been found hidden in a barrel, — as also of the apprehension of the suspected individual.’ The sheet was published by George Craig of Edinburgh, and cost one penny. for more click here

 
 

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