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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)
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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
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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
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Thanks Russell
I had already found this site, but couldn't find a Close actually connected to 64 High Street.
Lilibet
:)
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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
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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
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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
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Hi Nell
That's good news. Thanks.
Lilibet
:D
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You mentioned a boot maker in Strichens Close. My Grandfather was a boot maker in Strichens Close!!
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He worked there until his death in 1935
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Hi Mallarkey
What was his name?
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John Mallarkey
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I thought we might have had a link, but there are no Mallarkeys in my family.
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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.