Scottish Genealogy Society

27/11/2025

27/11/2025

Do you have Huguenot ancestors? We take a closer look at the French Protestants who came to Britain and other countries fleeing religious persecution:

https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/tutorials/overseas/who-were-the-huguenots

27/11/2025

27/11/2025

The lower part of this mound was formally named “Mound Place” in 1810. Check out our book, Campaigning for Edinburgh, that’s now 10% off using code ‘cockburn1875’, this code will only last until cyber Monday!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRUtHAFjCrU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

27/11/2025

Read our new blog about the new FreeBMD and future improvements here: https://www.freeukgenealogy.org.uk/news/

27/11/2025

🔴 The former village only became part of Edinburgh a century ago.

27/11/2025

24 Places to Find Ancestor Death Information

Looking for Death Records for your ancestors? Death information comes in various types of records, and unfortunately, the dates and locations often don't match.

Here is a list of 24 different ways/places where you can find death records and other death references and information.

Get the Quicksheet PDF at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/24-ways-to-find-ancestor-death-information/

27/11/2025

Coals from Tranent, 1849. Thanks to Maxine Dundas for post.

Although this wonderful image by Ross & Thomson is actually entitled " (Edinburgh) From The North Bridge" what actually caught our eye was the smaller details rather than the overall view.
Taking us back over 170 years, we get a great view of one of the first rail depots down by Calton, run by Riggenhead Colliery (in Tranent) at the North British Railways depot. As an interesting aside, the same year that this photograph was taken an employee of NBR was accused of stealing a tin containing company money that was discovered in one of the covered sheds the next day (perhaps one of those shown here?). Sadly, when the police tried to find him the next day to apprehend him, he was found dead in a field near Jock's Lodge, having swallowed laudanum.
We also get a fantastic view of High Calton and over towards Regent Bridge with the Regent Hotel to the back left of the photo. To the right of the bridge's arch is the old GPO which served as the main post office for Edinburgh until 1861.
Also worth noting is the clean-as-a-whistle Martyrs' Monument. When the photograph was taken it was only five years old and the smoke of Auld Reekie had not had a chance to blacken its stone. And, rather poignantly, we get a view straight up to Rock House, one of the birthplaces of photography and home to Hill and Adamson during their brief but stellar partnership. Adamson had been dead for about a year when this image was snapped.
The most amazing thing about this photograph though is the everyday feel that it has - sacks lying outside buildings waiting to be picked up, the ubiquitous Edinburgh laundry hanging out windows drying, wagons of coal ready to be delivered ( at 10s 6d, if you are interested!). If only we could zoom in even closer to read the name on the building to the right of centre. It looks intriguing with its huge chimney stacks! It is rare to find a photo that draws you in and pulls you back in time to the extent that you feel you are actually there but this one certainly does! PS On the right edge can be seen a buttress of trinity Chapel awaiting its demolition.

Image: Royal Collection Trust.

27/11/2025

Researching the history of your house?

Use valuation rolls to see who lived in your property and who owned it between 1855 and 1930.

Use the rolls to research the history of shops, businesses, churches, schools, hospitals and even lighthouses.

Find out how 👉bit.ly/ValuationRollsSP