
Archive Collections
East Lothian Archives have a fantastic collection covering the people, places and events of East Lothian’s past. As well as being the official repository for the Council’s records, we also hold documents relating to local associations such as Cooperative Societies, records relating to East Lothian in Wartime and items relating to the county’s rich maritime history.
Our collection spans many formats and includes maps and plans and images as well as digital material
Our catalogue is a work in progress and we are always uploading new data so please get in touch if there is something you can’t find.
We have produced a series of eight guides to introduce our collections, and explain how they might help with your research. They’re listed here; please let us know if you would like us to produce a guide on any extra topics.
We are always keen to expand our collection and it’s not just paper we collect. So bring us your data sticks and CDs (as well as good old-fashioned paper) and earn your place in history!
Some quick links
- East Lothian Image Collection
- Research guides
- Haddington Criminal Register
- Index to Haddingtonshire Militia
- Index to District Council Minutes
- Other resources

Themes
- East Lothian People
- Adventurers and Explorers
- East Lothian Folk
- Artists and Musicians
- John Bellany CBE RA HRSA LLD (1942–2013)
- Robert Noble RA RSA (1857–1917)
- William Darling McKay, RSA LLD (1844–1924)
- William Marshall Brown RSA (1863–1936)
- Patrick William Adam RSA (1852–1929)
- Sir William George Gillies RA RSA (1898–1973)
- Fish (Derek William Dick) (1958– )
- The Haddington Amateur Operatic Society
- Church and Philosophy
- Engineers and Inventors
- Heroes
- Military
- John Penn (1820–86)
- Warrant Officer II Alan Goodwin
- Stobs and the Volunteers
- Captain the Reverend James Kirk MA MC CF
- Alexander Carrick (1882–1966) RSA, FRBS
- East Lothian men at Waterloo (I)
- Major Walter Waring (1876 – 1930)
- Private Jackie Reid
- General Sir Francis John Davies and Lord John Alexander Elphinstone
- The Napoleonic Navy and East Lothian
- East Lothian men at Trafalgar
- East Lothian men at Waterloo (II)
- East Lothian men at Waterloo (III)
- General Sir Francis Reginald Wingate, 1st Baronet of Dunbar and Port Sudan (1861-1953)
- Movers and shakers
- Arthur James Balfour (1848–1930)
- Alexander of Haddington, King of Scots
- The Falls of Dunbar (1692–1796)
- Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun – The Patriot (1655–1716)
- Alexander Murray, 4th Lord Elibank
- Dr. George Harley
- Countess Ada de Warenne
- James Smith Richardson LLD (1883-1970)
- John Cockburn (1695 – 1758)
- Sports
- Writers
- East Lothian Places
- Settlements & Sites
- Parishes
- Dunbar Parish
- Oldhamstocks Parish
- Innerwick
- Pencaitland
- Stenton
- Spott Parish
- Fala and Soutra Parish
- Aberlady Parish
- Athelstaneford Parish
- Bolton Parish
- Dirleton Parish
- Garvald
- Gladsmuir
- Humbie Parish
- Inveresk
- Morham Parish
- North Berwick Parish
- Haddington Parish
- Ormiston Parish
- Prestonkirk
- Prestonpans Parish
- Saltoun
- Tranent
- Whitekirk
- Whittingehame
- Yester
- Towns & Villages
- Sites of interest
- Parishes
- Places to visit
- Settlements & Sites
- East Lothian Times
- East Lothian Subjects
- Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016
- Art, culture & communication
- Economy
- Friendly societies
- Sailors’ Societies
- East Lothian Industries
- Incorporations
- The East Lothian Bank
- Smuggling in East Lothian
- House & home
- Leisure
- Society
- Transport & travel
- War, battles & military
- The Military System in East Lothian 1790–1850
- The Lothians and Border Horse
- The Military System In East Lothian 1846–1914
- A Prince in Prestonpans
- The Military System in East Lothian 1600 – 1790
- The Landscape in War
- The Lothians – Training for war
- The Napoleonic Garrison in East Lothian
- East Lothian and Waterloo, an Overview
- Dunbar 1650
- World War One Memorials
- Aberlady World War One Memorial
- Athelstaneford World War One Memorial
- Bolton World War One Memorial
- Cockenzie World War One Memorials
- Crookston World War One Memorial
- Dirleton World War One Memorial
- Dunbar World War One Memorials
- East Linton World War One Memorials
- Elphinstone World War One Memorial
- Garvald World War One Memorial
- Gladsmuir World War One Memorial
- Gullane World War One Memorial
- Haddington World War One Memorials
- Innerwick World War One Memorial
- Morham World War One Memorial
- Musselburgh World War One Memorials
- North Berwick World War One Memorials
- Oldhamstocks World War One Memorial
- Ormiston World War One Memorial
- Pencaitland World War One Memorial
- Prestonpans World War One Memorial
- Saltoun World War One Memorial
- Spott World War One Memorial
- Stenton World War One Memorial
- Tranent World War One Memorials
- Whitekirk & Tyninghame World War One Memorials
- Whittingehame World War One Memorial
- Yester World War One Memorial
- World War One in the Lothians
- The Lothians during World War One (I)
- The Lothians during World War One (II)
- The Lothians during World War One (III) – Mobilisation
- The Lothians during World War One (IV) – A Squadron, continued
- The Lothians during World War One (V) – A Squadron, 1915
- The 8th (Territorial) Battalion the Royal Scots in World War One
- Supporting the Troops during World War One
- Airships over the Bass, Torpedoes in Belhaven Bay
- World War Two in the Lothians
- Land Girl Betty Craig tells her story
- Land girl Betty Craig’s story part 2
- Land Girl Betty Craig’s story, part 3
- Land Girl Betty Craig’s story, part 4
- Land Girl Betty Craig’s story, part 5
- Land girl Betty Craig’s story, part 6
- Land girl Betty Craig’s story, part 7
- Land girl Betty Craig’s story, part 8
- Land girl Betty Craig’s story, part 9
- Land Girl Betty Craig tells her story
- East Lothian Images
- Events
6 thoughts on “Archive Collections”
james Spark died in Musselburgh 18 July 1853 born Aberdeenshire 1790-1
Tins ith and Gasfitter who lived in Bank Street Galashiels
Can not find a death certificate but have his Will and Probate stating death.
Will there be a incident report by Police at the time?
Where can Ifind where he is buried? No trace in Galashiels or Borders
Dear Ms Hall,
Thank you for your enquiry. The best course of action would be to contact the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh for any possible police reports.
You could also contact the East Lothian Council Registrars for burial records for Inveresk (Musselburgh).
All the best.
Hi, I am looking for any who might be related to
Isabella Kay 1853–1855
James Kay 1856–1916
William Kay 1858–1871
Robert Kay 1860–
Janet Archibald Kay 1862–
Mary Kay 1865–
Isabella Williamson Kay 1868–
Their parents are Robert Kay 1828 – and Isabella Nelson Lindsay 1829 –
They lived in Inverness, Musselburgh and later Dalkeith
I am a descendant of James Kay… He came to Australia onboard the Ship Clara, Departing from Greenock, Scotland. He arrived in Brisbane Australia on the 20 Jan 1879. He came to Australia by himself and not much more is known about him… Except that he married an English girl Beatrice Bragg in 1900 and had 3 maybe 4 chn
Any information about this family would be gratefully accepted… .
Thanks in advance.
My second great grandmother Ann McPherson was born in 1820 Dunbar Haddington. No birth record found. I have her marriage record from 31 Dec 1845 in Dunbar to Robert Muir. Her death record on 26 March 1889 in New Cumnock Ayrshire states that she is the daughter of _______ McPherson, soldier & Fanny Craik. The only record I have for Fanny Craik is on the 1841 Census at age 50 yrs. I am requesting any help please to identify the soldier, my third great grandfather, and any further information on him and/or Fanny Craik. Thank you for your time and consideration.
I am researching my family history and have discovered my paternal gran was born in Edinburgh in 1885. From this information I found that my 3rd great grandmother Euphemia Brown nee Smith was born in Dirleton in 1793 and married James Brown a master joiner they lived in Athelstaneford where Euphemia is listed as a spirit dealer. Euphemia was widowed and census records show she died in February 1874. I found a reference on your site to what may be her obit in the Courier 13/02/1884. I would be very grateful if you could tell me if this may be accessed on line.
Kind regards
Norma Laurence
:0 this is SOOOO cool and AMAZING