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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Midlothian => Topic started by: Lilibet on Monday 30 October 06 22:08 GMT (UK)

Title: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Lilibet on Monday 30 October 06 22:08 GMT (UK)

I have an address on a death certificate which I can't read.  It is (something)  Close, 64 High Street, Edinburgh.  Could it possibly be Skinner's Close?  I can't find any reference to a Close being off 64 High Street.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Lilibet

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: runner on Tuesday 31 October 06 00:03 GMT (UK)

Hi Lilibet

Try this link for all the closes off the Royal Mile from 15-1600's up to the present day.
http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_MAPS/0_maps_of_edinburgh_old_town.htm

Look at some of the rest of the site too. It is the best, most informative site on the Web.
If you have Edinburgh rellies it is a must for information

Russell

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Lilibet on Tuesday 31 October 06 08:46 GMT (UK)

Thanks Russell

I had already found this site, but couldn't find a Close actually connected to 64 High Street.

Lilibet
 :)

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Little Nell on Tuesday 31 October 06 14:40 GMT (UK)

Hi Lilibet,

I suspect that this is Strichens Close, which may well now be called Melrose Close.  This was its original name after Andrew Durie, Abbot of Melrose who lived here in 1526.  The close was later occupied by Lord Strichen in the mid 1700s.  The Close is now incorporated into the site of the Radisson SAS Hotel.

There is a Skinners Close, but it is not in the right area of the High Street, it's up on Castle Hill.

Nell

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Lilibet on Tuesday 31 October 06 14:53 GMT (UK)

Hi Little Nell

You could be right - it looks as if it starts with an 'S'.

Would a humble shoemaker live there in 1863?

Thanks for that anyway.

Cheers
Lilibet

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Little Nell on Tuesday 31 October 06 15:08 GMT (UK)

I would think so.  In 1881, there was a Mason, a House Painter, a Master Tailor, a Warehouseman, a cabinet maker, a tanner, a slater and a boot finisher all living there!

Nell

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Lilibet on Tuesday 31 October 06 15:20 GMT (UK)

Hi Nell

That's good news.  Thanks.

Lilibet

 :D

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Mallarkey on Thursday 22 June 17 20:04 BST (UK)

You mentioned a boot maker in Strichens Close. My Grandfather was a boot maker in Strichens Close!!

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Mallarkey on Thursday 22 June 17 20:06 BST (UK)

He worked there until his death in 1935

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Lilibet on Friday 23 June 17 11:53 BST (UK)

Hi Mallarkey
What was his name?

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Mallarkey on Friday 23 June 17 18:48 BST (UK)

John Mallarkey

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: Lilibet on Friday 23 June 17 20:22 BST (UK)

I thought we might have had a link, but there are no Mallarkeys in my family.

Title: Re: Edinburgh address - a Close off High St
Post by: zenobia104 on Sunday 30 June 19 09:15 BST (UK)

Strichens Close was formerly at 104 High St and was owned by John Aitken, tee total coffee house keeper, 1807-1855. Some of his wife's family lived there as well, Wisharts from around Coldingham. On John's death it passed to his son+, also named John, in the service of heirs.  The Bishop of Melroses house was at the back of the close.