The Post Office Directory Of Edinburgh & Leith 1915-1916

Unlock the stories of your ancestors living in the shadow of the Great War.

Imagine the sounds of Edinburgh in 1915—the clang of a tramcar on Princes Street, the cries of gulls over the port of Leith, and the quiet, anxious conversations held in tenement closes and New Town drawing rooms. The world was at war, and life in Scotland's capital was forever changing.

Now, you can walk those streets alongside your ancestors.

The Post Office Directory of Edinburgh & Leith 1915-1916 is more than a simple list of names; it is a comprehensive time capsule and an indispensable tool for any family historian with roots in the city. This meticulously detailed directory provides a panoramic view of urban life during a pivotal moment in history, placing your ancestors directly into the fabric of their world.

What Treasures Await You Inside?

Alphabetical List of Private Residents: The core of the directory. Find your ancestors by name, complete with their occupation and full address. This is the key to unlocking census records, parish registers, and property documents.
Street-by-Street Directory: Go beyond a single name and explore the entire neighbourhood. See who lived next door, who ran the local shop, and discover the social character of the street where your family was born, lived, or worked.
Commercial & Trade Directory: Was your great-grandfather a baker, a solicitor, a stonemason, or a shipwright? This section lists businesses and tradespeople by profession, providing rich context for your ancestor's daily life and social standing.
Official & Municipal Directory: A complete guide to the city's infrastructure. Locate the churches where your family may have worshipped, the schools they attended, the courts where they settled disputes, and the public bodies that shaped their lives.
Why the 1915-1916 Edition is a Genealogical Goldmine:

This specific edition captures Edinburgh and Leith at a critical juncture. It’s a city defined by the Great War. Within these pages, you may find:

Men listed in "reserved occupations," essential to the war effort on the home front.
Women entering the workforce in unprecedented numbers, their names appearing in new roles.
Advertisements for war bonds, recruitment offices, and businesses supporting the troops.
The addresses of families whose sons were fighting in the trenches of France and Belgium—a poignant, powerful link to their sacrifice.
Who is this for?

The Genealogist: Break down brick walls, verify family stories, and add rich detail to your family tree.
The Local Historian: Research the history of your house, street, or local community with unparalleled accuracy.
The Social Historian: Gain a primary-source insight into class, commerce, and daily life in a major British city during WWI.
Anyone with Scottish Heritage: Connect with the capital city and feel the pull of your ancestral home.