The Post Office Directory Of Edinburgh & Leith 1939-1940

Unlock the world your ancestors knew on the very eve of the Second World War.

Imagine Edinburgh in the late summer of 1939. The tramcars still rattle down Princes Street, the sound of conversation spills from pubs in the Old Town, and life, for a moment, carries on with a familiar rhythm. This is the world captured in the Post Office Directory of Edinburgh & Leith 1939-1940—a priceless time capsule and an essential tool for any family historian with connections to Scotland's capital.

This isn't just a list of names; it's the last comprehensive snapshot of a city on the brink of unimaginable change. Before the blackout curtains were drawn and the air raid sirens first wailed, this directory recorded the daily lives of your ancestors.

Why This 1939-1940 Directory is a Genealogist's Goldmine:

Bridge the Census Gap: Filled with crucial information between the 1921 Census and more modern records, this directory helps you break down brick walls and trace your family's movements during a pivotal decade.
More Than Just Names: Discover your ancestor's full name, their occupation, and their exact address. Were they a shipwright in Leith, a clerk in the New Town, or a shopkeeper on the Royal Mile?
Build a Richer Story: Move beyond dates and places. Find the trades and businesses they frequented, the schools their children might have attended, and the churches where they worshipped. Add colour and context to your family tree.
Explore Their Neighbourhood: Use the detailed street directory to see who their neighbours were. Understand the community they were a part of and the social fabric of their world.
What You'll Discover Inside:

Alphabetical List of Residents: The heads of households for both Edinburgh and Leith.
Commercial & Trade Directory: A comprehensive A-Z of businesses, from banks and breweries to tailors and tea rooms.
Street Directory: A complete listing of inhabitants by street, allowing you to "walk down your ancestor's road."
Official & Municipal Information: Details on the city's council, officials, and public institutions.
For anyone with Edinburgh or Leith roots, this digitally searchable and preserved directory is your key to unlocking a past that felt, for a brief moment, stable and ordinary. Don't just find your ancestors—meet them.

Add the Post Office Directory of Edinburgh & Leith 1939-1940 to your collection and bring their story to life.