The Post Office Directory Of Edinburgh & Leith 1927-1928

Unlock Your Edinburgh & Leith Ancestors' World in 1927-1928

Breathe Life into Your Family Tree with the Definitive Guide to Scotland's Capital in the Interwar Years.

Imagine the clatter of trams on Princes Street, the bustling docks of Leith thick with the smell of the sea and coal smoke, and the quiet, grand closes shadowed by Arthur's Seat. This was the world your ancestors knew. Now, you can walk their streets, stand at their front doors, and understand the daily rhythm of their lives with The Post Office Directory of Edinburgh & Leith, 1927-1928.

More than just a list of names, this is a time capsule. It's a comprehensive snapshot of a vibrant city on the cusp of modernity, capturing the essence of life between two world wars. For any genealogist with roots in Edinburgh or the historic port of Leith, this directory is not just helpful—it's indispensable.

Who Is This For?

Family Historians & Genealogists tracing ancestors who lived or worked in Edinburgh or Leith.
Local and Social Historians researching the fabric of the city in the late 1920s.
Anyone with Scottish Heritage looking to connect with the physical world their family inhabited.
House History Researchers wanting to discover the past inhabitants of a property.
What's Inside? A Genealogical Goldmine:

This meticulously compiled directory is divided into key sections, each offering a unique window into the past:

Alphabetical List of Residents: The core of the directory. Find your ancestors by name, complete with their occupation and private or business address. Discover if your great-grandfather was a 'writer' (lawyer) in the New Town, a 'fishmonger' in Leith, or a 'domestic servant' in Morningside.
Street Directory: An invaluable tool for context. Trace a single street to see who lived there, from the grand townhouses to the bustling tenements. Reconstruct your ancestor's neighbourhood and see the names of their friends, neighbours, and local shopkeepers.
Commercial & Trade Directory: Explore the economic heart of the city. Find listings for everything from banks and breweries to printers and provision merchants. If your ancestor owned a business, this is where you’ll find their official advertisement.
Official, Municipal, and Ecclesiastical Information: Gain a deeper understanding of the structure of the city. Find listings for churches, schools, doctors, lawyers, city councillors, and public officials, placing your ancestors firmly within the community's official framework.
Why This Directory is the Key to Unlocking Your Past:

Go Beyond Names and Dates: Transform a name on a certificate into a real person with a profession, an address, and a place in their community.
Break Down Brick Walls: Can't find a vital record? A directory entry can confirm an individual's location between census years, providing a crucial clue for your search.
Trace Female Ancestors: Widows are often listed under their own names (e.g., "Mrs. Mary Brown, confectioner"), providing a rare opportunity to find women who are often invisible in traditional records.
Understand Social Standing: The type of trade, the prominence of a listing, and the location of an address can provide powerful clues about your ancestor's social and economic status.
A Glimpse into Your Research:

With this directory, you could find that your great-uncle, a 'journeyman baker', lived at 32 Grassmarket. You can then turn to the street directory to see his neighbours, the publican next door, and the small grocer across the street. Suddenly, a name becomes a life, a story, and a tangible connection to the past.