Please note: Due to the recent Covid-19 outbreak we are currently closed.

Autograph book from Fairlie's Café world war 1 and world war 2

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

6 thoughts on “Archive Collections”

Muriel Hall says:

30/05/2018 at 4:12 pm

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

Reply
1. HanitaR says:
  
  31/05/2018 at 10:33 am
  
  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.
  
  Reply
Glenda Albert says:

08/10/2017 at 11:51 pm

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.

Reply
Ann Ramage says:

24/04/2017 at 5:56 am

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.

Reply
Norma Laurence says:

04/12/2016 at 2:14 pm

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

Reply
Benedict Elliott says:

04/03/2013 at 9:41 am

:0 this is SOOOO cool and AMAZING

Reply