LASSWADE DISTRICT CIVIC SOCIETY
Archived Message Board

Now that we are no longer accepting genealogy queries, all previous queries and follow-up are posted below.  If anyone wishes to contact a contributor direct please email me and I will pass your details to their last known address.

17/03/07
Ref: 042

Joy Drummond nee Harrison writes:  I am trying to find information on my late mothers sister. She was Kate Marshall born sometime from 1898 to 1910, who married Walter Phillips from Loanhead I think, She had a sweet shop in Bonnyrigg called Kitty's shop and she either lived at Dobbies Road or that was where the Sweet shop was. Her mother was Kate Scott Munro who married John Thomas Marshall in Newcastle-upon -Tyne on 26 October 1898. Her father was a marine engineer but died quite young, her mother re-married a Andrew Scougal Traill on 6 June 1919 and they lived at 53 Kirkgate, Leith, she died 13 Sept 1944.

My mother was Ida May Marshall born Jan 1903 married to Christopher Hall Harrison. I understand my mother had at least 3 brothers as well. John, David and James Marshall. My sister Christina (Chrissie) Hall Harrison was a bridesmaid at Kate and Walter Phillips Daughter's wedding around 1945. Any information on the above family or their descendents would be much appreciated.

01/03/07
Ref: 041

Lesley Mould writes:  I'm trying to find out more about the Dalry reformatory Lasswade, its on the 1901 census. My Great grandmother Jane Ann Coe was sent there at the age of 12 because she was a naughty girl and her father and step mother couldn't handle her! She is listed as a reformatory girl on the 1901 census) does anyone know anything about it, where it was, any photos, what happened to the building? Any information would really help.
 

20/02/07
Ref: 040

Sandy Cocksey writes:  We lived in Lasswade in early 1980 for a short time, and we often wonder what became of 2 friends of my eldest daughter. The names were Justine and Kimberley, and their father ran stables, I seem to recollect that they were called Mavisbank stables. the girls would now be in their mid to late thirties.  If anyone has any news of them, we would be pleased to hear from them.
 

25/01/07
Ref: 039

Margaret Gibson (née Borthwick) writes: I found an entry in records for a John Borthwick born Lasswade 1741 and another John born 1739 Lasswade. My Borthwicks came from Eyemouth but seem to have been to Innerwick as well. Does anyone know of the Borthwicks and whether it is feasible that one of the Johns moved from Lasswade? In Coldingham in 1786 David Borthwick married Isabel Johnston(e) and a John was named on the marriage entry. This I think would be David’s father. Any information would be wonderful.
01/01/07
Ref: 038 		Jana Lien writes:  I'm beginning research on my Anderson and Crampton ancestors from Lasswade. My ggg grandfather, Robert Anderson, lists his birthplace as Lasswade, Polton Bank, Edinburgh on 2/15/1824. His father's name is also listed as Robert Anderson and his mother is listed as Helen Crampton. Does anyone have information on this family in Lasswade? I noticed that Sir Walter Scott mentions a Robert Anderson and a Crampton family in his diaries - would these be of the same family? Also, it would be interesting to learn where the current day Polton Bank is located.
26/12/06
Ref: 037

Tracie is trying to find any descendants or information on the Fergusons of Lasswade.

John Ferguson was a farmer on Burghlee Farm, Loanhead.

John Ferguson b c1790 married Elizabeth Dick 1816 Edinburgh Parish

Children all born Edinburgh Parish
Agnes 1818, Elizabeth 1822, John 1824, Alexander 1826 ( my gg grandfather) married Jane Cumming Helen 1827, James Adam 1829, Ann Taylor 1832, John 1834, David 1836, Jessie Hope 183-

11/12/06
Ref: 036 		Iain Goodbrand writes:  I'm looking for for my mum, Mary Jonston Kane who lived in Nazareth house, Lasswade between 1948 and 1960. Mum was born in 1942 in the town of Roslin to Allan and Gabrelle Kane. I have no photos and would love to see an image of her.
03/03/06
Ref: 035 		Christine Bennett writes:  My mothers family grew up around the Lasswade area and lived in Burnside Cottages & Boghead Cottages late (1880s and early 1900s) Thomas and Esther Benson were the parents of Agnes & Mary (my grandmothers) Jane, Janet, Effie, Frank, John, I would be grateful for any information you were able to provide, what registers, apart from the census) are available? Thank you.
28/02/06
Ref: 034 		Julie Battson is looking for a George Cleland, who was a gardener at Hawthornden Castle c.1835. She needs to find details of his family and wonders if anyone would know where the estate papers are?
19/02/06
Ref: 033 		Jimmy McElhinney from Newcastle is looking for a Joseph Solway (formerly Joseph McElhinney) who lived at Nazareth House in Lasswade between 1946 and 1960 – approx. He may have moved to New Zealand. 
15/02/06
Ref: 032

Jessie Sparks of Manitoba, Canada writes: On a recent visit to Scotland I was given some old family pictures including one of my grandmother (name printed on back FERGUS STEWART, The Laboratory, LASSWADE) the picture shows she is one of a group of four servants who worked at a house named Esk Tower. The date on the picture if May 12, 1903. Several years ago I visited Lasswade but didn’t find anyone who had knowledge of Esk Tower. Any information on this would be appreciated.
21/03/07 Lyn Hall of Brisbane, Australia writes:  I would appreciate being able to make contact with Jessie as I have information for her on Esk Towers, Lasswade.  Message forwarded, Ed.
13/02/06
Ref: 031 		Jennifer Fleming (nee Brown) writes:  I spent the first five years of my life living with my Mum & Dad (John & Mina Brown) along with my Dad's parents (Andrew and Annie Brown) in what I understood to be the station house for Broomieknowe station. We were able to stay there as my grandfather worked in the Booking Office at the Waverley Station and when he died in 1956, my grandmother had to move out and was given a little one bedroom pensioners' house in Durham Grove in Bonnyrigg. We had moved to Musselburgh in 1954 just before my sister was born. You left the High Street on the right hand side of the road going towards Lasswade and made your way down a narrow path along the top of the embankment - railway on your left - with the house to your right at the bottom. I think the house was called Sunnydene. We had a big garden, with a small orchard beyond and a large hen run - there were also beehives at the foot of this. Eventually as my grandmother was about to leave the house, a large part of the garden was sold off to a housing developer. I remember my grandfather taking me up to the road one day to watch a huge fire at the carpet factory which was on the other side of the road, just a little bit closer to the town centre (opposite the Co-op I think) - this must have been around 1955 ? My mother and father used to talk about the great floods in this area in 1948 when the water ran like a river down the railway line below the house. My grandad was a member of the Home Guard during the war and my dad was a member of the ARP - he was unable to join the services due to being disabled by bovine TB in his early teens. Does anyone remember them ?
12/01/06
Ref: 030 		Mark Debrunner writes:  Are there any pictures of the 7th Viscount Melville , as my son is doing a project about the family we have looked but cannot find any so far .He was a diplomat and died in 1931.
01/11/05
Ref: 029 		Michelle O'Hara writes:   I am looking for further information on James Keiller/Keillor/Keller who married Alison Hope. Alison Keller nee Hope I believe was burried in Lasswade on 25th January 1841. Some of their children (Ann, Helen, and Alison) were living at Sandy(Elden)Dean during the 1841 census and a further son James born circa 1810 was either in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh or had already been transported for 7 years for the crime of Theft by Housebreaking. James Keiller Snr is believed to have died between March 1828 and September 1837 either in Edinburgh or Lasswade. Any further information on this family will be gratefully received.
Added 10/11/05 James Keillor Snr was a soldier but unknown when, where or with which regiment although trial transcripts for James Jnr in 1837 indicate he served in the same regiment as a Thomas Berry who in 1837 lived in Perth. James Keillor Snr is also recorded as a Labourer and also a Cottonspinner.  James Keiller Jnr was born in Leith and was a Wright/Joiner.  Alison Keiller Jnr was born in 1822 in Haddington, North Berwick.
17/07/05
Ref: 028 		Peter Sinclair from Hertfordshire writes:   I am trying to find out whether anyone knows about the Dobie and Wilson families who lived in Lasswade during the early 1600s. They could have been millers, and lived at what was called Leymillis. This might have been Ley's Mill or something like that, and over the years become known by another name. Neil Stewart at the Bonnyrigg and Lasswade Local History Society drew my attention to Dobie's Knowe and Dobbie's Road, so my guess is that this family survived until the nineteenth century. Any information - however slight - will be very helpful.
10/11/05 Margaret Charlston writes:   My great grandmother was Hannah Dobie born to James Dobie and Hannah Young in Inveresk Midlothian 4 June 1819. Hannah married James Harper in Lasswade 30 November 1842. Although the Harpers moved elsewhere contact with Lasswade was maintained - one of their daughters returned there to have an illegitimate baby and there were Dobies there in the 1841 census. I believe Hannah had a brother John.
24/06/05
Ref: 027 		Alison Lavine from Lincolnshire writes:   My great grandparents James Hunter & Isabella Johnston lived in Crawford Buildings, Lasswade in 1881 and I would like to know whether it is still there or re-named perhaps. His occupation was colliery engine keeper but on the 1881 census whilst at Crawford Buildings he is shown as engine keeper at oilworks and I would also be very interested to know where that may have been. I'd also be pleased to hear from anyone who may have any connection with the Hunter family in Lasswade.
03/04/05
Ref: 026

Lynette Hall from Australia writes:  I came across your website and thought it was really very impressive particularly the work you are doing to clean up certain areas. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you the following:

Would anyone have any information on Isabella Thomson, wife of Alexander Thomson of Esk Tower Braeheads, Lasswade. My late grandmother Elizabeth Matthews (nee Russell – born Kilsyth 1868) who emigrated to New Zealand in 1901 once made mention of Isabella and I am keen to know more about Lasswade and how Isabella fits into the family tree.

Thank you for the opportunity of placing this message.
16/03/05
Ref: 025 		Isabella G F Walker from Canada is looking for any my Mother family who would have come from Lasswade.  She thinks her great grandmothers name would have been Isabella Munro.
07/09/04
Ref: 024

Linda Muckle writes:  I have been researching my husband's family and discovered they originate in Lasswade. John Muckle was born in 1812 to David Muckle & Margaret Penman, John came to Lewisham, England and married Eliza Freshwater in 1832. David Muckle was born in 1780 to Thomas Muckle & Isabella Douglass and it is here that my trail runs cold as I can find no information on Thomas & Isabella's marriage. I travelled up to Edinburgh last week and visited the General Register Office to look up the Old Parish Records but there was nothing for Thomas and Isabella although David's baptism record states he is the "lawful son" - I presume this means that his parents were married? I did find a Thomas Muckle who was born in 1745 in Kilmalcolm, Renfrew, but not sure if this could be him. I would be grateful if anybody has any information (I think there were a few variations on name spelling of the Muckles!)

31/10/05

Dierdrie Hamilton writes: I was born a Muckle but am now a Hamilton. Our branch of the Muckle family came from Norham in Northumberland and we can go back as far as John Muckle born about 1742 died 29/5/1819 at Bowsden Farm in Northumberland and married Isabella Dodds born 20/07/1777 in Presson died 1858 or 1861. He lived in Norham Boathouse still in use as B&B today, owned 3 miles of salmon fishing on the River Tweed and possibly a colliery in Northumberland. He was reputed to be 7ft tall and had 21 + children.

08/01/06

George Muckle Ainslie writes: I was named after my gg grandmother.  Margaret Muckle born 1806 Norham married my gg grandfather James Ainslie born Spittal 1804.  Her uncle,  John had the farm at Bowsden.  Her father was George Muckle born c1780 Norham (my ggg grandfather).  My niece and I have copies of letters and some court proceedings from the 1830s.  This was over a legacy left by Margaret's grandfather to her.  He was quite well off as they mention of a loan of 300 pounds to Sir Francis Blake of Tilmouth Park House.

10/01/06

Josephine Kier writes:  I am descended from George Muckle b.1782 who is the son of John Muckle b.1742.I have done quite a lot of research into the Muckles of Norham.  My research differs somewhat from yours on the Lasswade website.  John 1742 married Elizabeth Bell b.circa1740.Among their children were John b.1771 &  Geo. b !782.  This son , John, married Isabella Dods in 1800. Their gravestone, now eroding very badly, is in Norham Churchyard.  George,my ancestor, married Mgt. Cleugh in 1806. They had 1 dau. called Margaret b.Dec.1806. Her mother died a few days later, aged 17.  John Muckle, the father (b.1742) appears to have been a wealthy man.  He died on 08/08/1812.He left money to his grandchildren in his will.  We know he left some to Margaret to be paid when she reached the age of 21.Her Uncle John and father were executors of the will.  Her father died before she reached 21 and it appears she had to take her uncle to court to get her inheritance.  I have in my possession copies of the court sittings researched by a cousin also called Margaret.  From these we have learnt a lot about the Muckles of Bowsden. I have more info. but would be very interested in anything you have discovered about this interesting family

24/07/06

Margaret Britton writes:  I am also descended from the Muckles mentioned above (Norham boat house) I do hope that you have more information on this family.

29/01/07 

Peter Edwards writes:  I read with interest your message about the Muckle family with origins in Northumberland, England. I have just started researching my family history on my mother's side. Her mother (my grandmother) was born Helen Mary Muckle in 1891 in Whetstone London. Her father was Paul Muckle (my great grandfather) who was born in Norham, Northumberland in 1865 and became a police constable in the Metropolitan Police in London after first serving some time in the army. His father was Andrew Muckle (my great, great grandfather) born 1846 and married to Mary in Northumberland. His father was Paul Muckle (my great, great, great grandfather) born 1825 and was married to Eleanor in Northumberland. The whole family was in the Northumberland area and appeared to be farm labourers, although some of the children were born in Scotland where the name Muckle appears to originate. My great, great, great grandfather Paul Muckle died in 1900 and by then owned his own farm in Norham Northumberland. I am still researching that bit.

Interestingly, I followed in my great grandfather's footsteps (without knowing) and I was a police officer in London for 30 years before retiring in 2004.

I am sure we must be related in some way and it would be nice to hear from you.

31/03/07

Helen Woods writes:  I have just started my family tree and I know that my grandfathers middle name was Muckle 

On a recent visit to Norham churchyard I also came across the grave stones for many other family members  my granddad's 2 aunts who my mother remembers are also buried there.  One of them I believe was called Martha she is buried on her own and she had been a family nanny in Edinburgh  for many years . If this is the same family please get in touch but as I said I,ve only just begun to look into the family

My e email is mjwoods007@btinternet.com

05/04/07

Alison Muckle writes:  I am a Muckle and for many years our family (especially my Grandfather) have made completing our family tree a competition. We have gone back many generations and my Grandfather is 1 of 13 children and has birth/death certificate for each child. He is Northumbrian and has found we had allsorts of different characters throughout the blood line including a so called witch who was hung for helping the Scottish. It would be nice to find people out there who have got even further.

14/04/07

Helen Woods writes again: Having read with interest the notices regarding the Muckle family from Norham I too am looking into that side of my mothers family but have only just started the family tree so any info would be great. My mums father was called James Muckle Bolton and he had two aunts that my mum remembers and one was called Martha . on a very brief visit up to Norham I looked in at the churchyard and found lots of Muckles on headstones so I now have little bit more info.

Please email if you have anything your happy to share with me

Mjwoods007@btinternet.com

22/06/07

Deirdre Hamilton nee Muckle writes:  Please can you put my email address jhams@hotmail.com on the website as I have various documents. I am interested in John Muckle b1742 as I think because of his height he was called Muckle John and he had changed his surname. The story goes that he married a Romany 'princess' of course and was thrown out by his wealthy family. Strangely I have a large oil painting of a woman which looks to be 1700's and also a miniature of a red coat, and an etching? with a girl on both sides and also a ring with a miniature in it of a girl. These people all resemble each other. They have all been handed down through the family.

21/05/04
Ref: 023 		Alan Low writes:  I am trying to trace my father or grandparents.  On one side my grandparents were called Binnie. They had 2 children Laura and my uncle,  who drank a bit and died between 1960 to 1975 very young after moving to Manchester.  My grandfather Thomas worked for the Post Office and they lived in Penicuik.  This must have been around the late 50s or early 60s.  I think they had lived their most of their lives in Penicuik but am not positive.  My mother married a George Gray. This would have been around 1966,  I think in Penicuik.  I am currently trying to find a link to either my grandparents who were probably from the area or my father George Gray who may have moved to Edinburgh around 1966 to 75.
28/04/04
Ref: 022

Jenny Deeks from Sydney Australia writes:  My family have always said they were related to Major (later Sir) Thomas Livingston Mitchell who was assistant Surveyor General, born Leith, Scotland, having arrived in Australia in 1827. He died in Scotland 1855 but several of his children stayed in Australia as they received land grants, particularly in the Maitland area of NSW. This family connection must have been before my ancestor, Daniel Mitchell arrived in the Colony in the year 1858. The only association I have been able to establish is that Daniel was maried in the company of Sir Thomas's decendants in East Maitland and the families visited each other regularly.

Daniel Mitchell was born 1830 Lasswade, emmigrated and married in Sydney with the occupation Weaver in Kent Street, Sydney which was his place of work and residence. His father was James Mitchell, born 1800 Midlothian, Weaver Tapestry, mother Jane Campbell b 1802, Brother James, b 1826, Carpet Weaver and sister Ann Mitchell b 1836. The 1851 Census has provided most of this information and it appears there were only two Mitchell families in Lasswade at this time. I note that the name James Mitchell goes back at least another 100 years in Lasswade and wonder if any one has more information on this family.
06/02/04
Ref: 021

Sandra Porteous is trying to find information on the Porteous family who lived in Lasswade around 1864.  Her grandfather's name was David King Porteous and he had several brothers and sisters.
31/05/04

Frederick Lucas of London writes:  I have a John Porteous, married to Mary Horsburgh in 1864. You may already have this info as there are several internet genealogists interested in the Horsburgh name. The name Porteous rings a particular bell with me as it was the name of my old headmaster!
07/08/05

Jim from Maine, USA writes:  I am married to Sandra Porteous of Lisbon New York. Her father is 81 years old and has quite a history of the Porteous family and their travel from Scotland to the new Scottish settlements in northern New York. If I can help, reply to this message and I will direct you to him.
31/01/06

Jenni Thomas writes:  I am trying to find my mother's family tree in Scotland - her GG Grandfather was William Porteous and his wife was Mary King - my mum says a lot of the family were then called King Porteous which sounds to similar to be just chance - they also all lived in Scotland.
27/01/07

Roger Graham Porteous from Australie  would like to contact Jim from Maine above. Descendants of this family are in Australia and would like to exchange detail. (this message passed to Jim from Maine - Ed).
27/01/07

Ginny Porteous of Australia writes:  Jenni, I have a lot of information regarding William Porteous and Mary King. Your mum is correct in saying that there was a lot of King Porteous' in the family. As far as I know my father has traced his fathers' back to the 1500's. There were I think 3 generations of Alexander King Porteous. I would love to be in contact with you to discuss this possible connection. (this message passed to Jenni Thomas - Ed)
03/02/04
Ref: 020 		Julie Kay writes: I am searching for any family members or information.  My father was James Cowan Kay born Lasswade 1915.His father was Walter Kay possibly born in 1875, mother was Agnes Cowan no dates. His possible grandparents were John Kay and Janet Liddle married December 1869 at Lasswade.
17/10/03
Ref: 019 		Bill Low of Emo, Ontario, Canada writes:
I am trying to find out more about our family history. My father was William Tofts Low born February 8 1914 to John George Low a resident of the Old Bank Building in Lasswade and Barbara Wilson Tofts a carpet factory worker. My great grandfather was James Low and great grandmother Mary Low. My grandmother’s father was William Tofts Low and mother was Helen Henderson Tofts. That is all that I have been able to find out other than the fact that my grandparents where married in Newbattle Church. Any assistance would be appreciated.
15/10/03
Ref: 018 		Richard Green from Australia writes:  My relative was a butcher in Lasswade certainly through 1850 and 1860. His name was David Anderson. We do not know which shop and if it still exists. His brother William lived at 2 Venture Fair in Penicuik after being born in Old Wall Tower Cottage in Penicuik.  Further back in 1654 my relatives lived in the very old Regillis Tower in Penicuik near the river. They were the Craig Family.
12/11/03
Ref: 017

Ray Meadows and his sons Daniel and Thomas, who used to live in Polton Village but are now in Shetland, are making a railway lay-out centered on Polton village. It will include Lasswade Station, Broomieknowe Station, and of course Polton station and yards, including both mills.
If anyone has pictures of the stations or surrounding areas, they would be very obliged if they could have a look at them, to give them some idea of where to start, what they think will be a large layout.

Note by Ed:  I have emailed two old pictures, one taken in about 1903 and the other an aerial shot taken at the end of the 1940's.  I though people might be interested in Ray's comment on life in Shetland ... the weather and the scenery continues to be beautiful, no flooding rivers, mist in the mornings or ice on the hills....and of course, as Thomas puts it......'no trees no trains and worst of all no McDonalds...Bliss!!!
12/03/03
Ref: 016 		Bob Foran of Connecticut USA writes: In researching my wife's great great grandparents, Captain Robert E. Wyllie & Catherine Maria Jones, I discovered that they were married at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral church in Lasswade 25 April 1843 in a ceremony "in accordance with the English rite" (Bishop Terrot presiding). I would be grateful to learn more about this church (records, history, location, photos).
30/09/03

Herbert Dryden has taken the following three pictures :

        

 

22/04/03

 

Herbert Dryden, Chairman of the Bonnyrigg & Lasswade Local History Society writes:  While Mrs. Foran's great great grandparents. Captain Robert E. Wyllie and Catherine Maria Jones may have lived in Lasswade, St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral Church is actually in York Place in Edinburgh and it is in that Church, where Bishop Terrot was rector, that they were probably married on 25th April 1843.

Very briefly, the Episcopalians who worshipped in St. Giles in the 17th century left St. Giles when St. Paul's was built in Jeffrey Street in 1689, this church being one of the oldest episcopal churches in Scotland. Jeffrey Street is just on the fringe of what was the Old Town of Edinburgh.

In the early 18th century a decision was taken to found another episcopal church in the heart of the Old Town and eventually one was built in the Cowgate around 1708. Around 1820 this congrega tion moved from the Cowgate to the New Town of Edinburgh when a church was built for them in York Place. Because this congregation inherited some communion silver with the words "St. Paul's" on it, the new church was called St. Paul's (at which stage the building referred to in the preceding paragraph became known as "Old St. Paul's" and it is still known today by that name).

This new chuch, known as St. Paul's, in York Place was given Cathedral status until St. Mary's Cathedral in Palmerston Place was built for the episcopalians between 1873-79.

It was in St. Paul's in York Place that Mrs. Foran's great great grandparents were married. St. Paul's was designed by Archibald Elliot. The congregations of St. Paul's and the nearby St. George's Chapel united, I think, in the early decades of the 20th century to become St. Paul's and St. George's Episcopal Church.
21/02/03

Calling GINA TURNER! - you appear to have changed your email address.  If you get in touch I may have some progress on your query 009.

07/07/02
Ref: 015 		D Mackay writes: I have little to no information on my grandparents or great grandparents on my father' side. Now that most are deceased, I've come across some birth certificates that led me to Lasswade. The family name is "Lyell", dating back to 1893, with my grandmother being born in 1903 as Jessie Burnett Gray Lyell to Walter Garland Lyell (Stonemason) and Jessie Burnett Lyell (m.s. Gray) Any information at all would be greatly appreciated so that I may have a better understanding of my family history in relation to where they came from.
19/12/01
Ref: 013		 Iain McConnell from Australia writes:
My name is Iain McConnell grandson of David Burns who originally owned the BP service station in Lasswade. (click here for pictures) Our family immigrated to Australia in 1969. 
I attended Lasswade High and was interested if the School has some sort of reunion register?
The Rest of my family is still in Australia.  They are:
Tom McConnell
Mary McConnell
David McConnell and
Lauchlan McConnell
Tommy McConnell now Resides in Perth Scotland
Found your web site great and I am happy for you to pass on my E-mail address to any one that may remember me or my brothers.

22/01/02

Ian Small from Buckinghamshire writes:
Don't know about a specific website for Lasswade schools but the following sites may help. I believe that the 'Friends Reunited' site is the better but there is a joining fee of five pounds UK to access data on specific names. Good luck.

www.friendsreunited.co.uk
www.oldschoolmates.co.uk

Regards,
Ian Small
Lasswade Primary & Senior Secondary 1938 to 1950.

(Comment by Ed: actually I have met Ian Small.  He was born/brought up in a house on the Springfield Mill site and has many a fine tale to tell about life there - I'm just waiting for an article Ian!)

18/01/03

Jack Abbott writes:
It was with interest I found the note from Ian Small, an old friend of mine in school days when he occasionally took me on his bike to Lasswade School. I also was brought up in a house within Springfield Paper Mill and also worked there in my early years.
By Ed:   I will put Jack in touch with Ian Small and Cameron Mackenzie who are preparing an article on Polton/Springfield Mill.
17/12/01
Ref: 012 		Fiona Farquharson of Killin, Perthshire writes:
Am interested in information on my Cairns/Paterson branch from Lasswade.  My gg grandfather David Cairns was born 1829/1830 to David Cairns and Janet Paterson who were married in Lasswade in 1828.  The father is shown as being born at 'Sandydeen' in the OPR and the son in 'Eldendean' in the 1881 census and then Lasswade in the 1891 census.  Could the first two names be names of properties in Lasswade as no searches have found them?
21/02/03 Herbert Dryden writes: Sandy Dean and Eldindean are one and the same. (The spelling varies) . Sandy Dean was so called because of the preponderance of sand in the area and it was the name affectinately used by the artist William McTaggart whose house, Dean Park,looked down on the area. The streetwas remaned Eldindean Road, eing the road which led evenyually to Eldin House the home of Sir John Clerk of Eldin. Eldin House was itself remaned and is now known as Nazareth House.
20/09/01
Ref: 011 

Dan Debrunner of Oakland CA USA asks:
"Do you know the current state of Melville Castle and are there any plans for it? Several web sites have it listed as a hotel, or is this just out of date information? I saw it around 87 as a hotel, and then abandoned in 96."

Anna Dobson has emailed Dan to the effect that the building is currently undergoing a complete restoration with the intention of re-opening it as an hotel - perhaps in a year or so.
26/06/01
Ref: 010 		 Keith Innes, who is from Australia, but currently based in Seoul would like to find local records of his ancestor James mark Innes who was born in lasswade on 8th November 1826 to James and Bethia (nee Murray) Innes. He married Alsion Hume on 9th July 1850 and they had five children born in Scotland and one at sea en route to Australia.
13/06/01
Ref: 009 		 Gina Turner from Upper Michigan USA wants to know if anyone remembers her mother Mary Ann Gordon (Mae) who attended Lasswade School back in the 1940's. She married a George Hamilton and they moved to the Detroit area in the 1960's.
01/06/01
Ref: 008 

Alan Forbes was interested to see if anyone could shed any light on Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935), the famous bird artist who was born May 31 1860 in Lasswade. Does anyone know where he was born and if the house still stands?

Well, I looked this one up myself. Found reference to Thorburn in an auctioneer's catalogue which mentioned his parents' house at Viewfield, Lasswade. From there Royal mail post-code finder confirmed house still exists and cross-ref to Streetmap.co.uk that it is at the end of Golf Course Road. Apparently quite an impressive house now surrounded by more modern ones.

If anyone else wishes to add anything please …

21/02/03

Herbert Dryden writes: I am fairly certain that Archibald Thorburn's house, Viewfield, has been demolished. In the latter years of the 19th Century or the early years of the 20th Century the house was renamed Eldin Brae and it stood at the top of Kye's Turn (which is the path which leads from the Eskbank Road at the foot of Bonnyrigg to the Lasswade/Eskbank road at Pittendreich. On the right hand side there is the practice ground of Broomieknowe Golf Course and on the left, near the Eskbank Road are a group of houses with a cul-de-sac called Viewfield. Viewfield House itself stood at the top of what is now the practice ground and the only visible remains are the stone posts at the start of the drive to the house which bear the name Eldin Brae.

It is very confusing with some of the old houses because many have changed their name over the decades. Across Kye's Turn from Thorburn's house is what is now known as Viewbank House (which is surrounded by modern houses). This was originally called Viewfield Bank and might have been confused with Viewfield.
26/03/01
Ref: 007 		Richard Steel, who has recently moved in to Kevock Cottage would like to find out more about it's past history. Was it part of the Old Mill or something to do with the railway line? Any pictures would also be appreciated. Finally, in the rear of the garden there is a large demolished building...any information again would be very much appreciated.
05/11/01

Marilyn Stodart Raisbeck from Diamond Bar, California writes: "One of my ancestors, James Stodart (died in 1678), and m. Helen Howison about 1636 was a Tenant of Kevock Mill, Lasswade.  From the LDS information, at least one son, Patrick Stodart m. Chistian Spence in 1666/7 was also listed as being a Tenant of Kevock Mill ...."
20/01/01
Ref: 006 		James Hay of Bristol is currently researching his family and so far has found evidence of his grandparents and great grandparents who lived in 83 and 85 Back street. They were James and Janet Hay (85) and Samuel and Elizabeth Hay (83). There were a lot of brothers and sisters and if anyone could help with information it would be greatly appreciated..
26/01/01

Since then James has purchased extracts from the 1891 Census with information on the following which he is happy to send to anyone interested:

82 Back Street- Noble
84 Back Street- Matheson
86 Back Street- Potter
87 Back Street- Grandison

13/06/06 Diane Pearon writes:  I too am researching my Lasswade family. My grandmother Margaret Mathison was born in Lasswade June 25 1879.  The whole family shows up in Edinburgh in the 1881 census. Your note on the Lasswade website mentions the 1879 census.......... 84 back street Mathison.  Does that mean that a Mathison family lived there, or is it the name of a street. Grandma,s father Robert Mathison moved a great deal so they could very likely have moved from Lasswade........and back again.
15/01/01
Ref: 005		 John Willison is seeking information on his great-great grandfather, James Willison who was an engineer and lived for a short time in Lasswade, presumably at Wadingburn. He certainly lived there in 1867 as his daughter Margaret was born on 22nd May 1867 at Loanhead, Lasswade. He stayed until at least 1869 as his wife Jane Valentine unfortunately died in childbirth in Wadingburn, Lasswade on April 7th, 1869. At this point he suspects he moved away fairly quickly after the death.
Can anyone advise him of any local newspapers that were in existence at that time, or any present day local historians or local societies that he could consult?
14/12/00
Ref: 004

Steve Scola would like to thank all who knew and valued Peter's interest in and commitment to the society for their wonderful support to his family since his death in April. He had a lot of fun with you and I'm sure would like to be remembered with a smile. A happy Christmas to everyone.

Replies to this message from Steve will be posted here. If you would prefer to send Steve a personal message by email please click here and I will pass it on.

12/12/00
Ref: 003

Dawn Windsor asks. Where is the entrance to the right of way that leads to Melville castle?

The right of way is currently being disputed by the landowner and access is now difficult. This has been explained verbally to Dawn by a member of the committee.

06/09/04
Ref: 002 		Diane Pearen also asks about dates of the Old Pictures Of Lasswade. Copies of some of them appear in the Oliver Van Helden Book. No Picture no. 10, High Street Lasswade, is stated to be during the 1930's and all bar Nos 5 and 11 are clearly from the same series. 5 and 11 are from a later series. 5 shows the extended road bridge and 11 is an aerial shot, so some clues there. Does anyone else know?
24/11/00 
Ref: 001

Diane Pearen From Canada is trying to gather information on her family who lived in Lasswade (address not known) in 1879. Her great-grandparents were Robert Mathison, a railway guard, and his wife Jessie (Mckay). Their children were Helen (1873), Robert (1875), William (1877) and Diane's grandmother Margaret (1879).

The 1881 Census CD throws up the whole family living at 187 The Pleasance, Edinburgh. It has also revealed possible links to Diane's great-great grandparents and she is investigating these.

03/12/01 Another Diane Pearen has been in touch from Australia!
06/09/04

More from Diane:  I can't believe that it has been almost 4 years since I made that first request for help in pinpointing my grandmother's birth address. Yes, I am still looking. Many thanks to Tim Tuke who found the family living in Edinburgh in the 1881 census. My great grandfather Robert Mathison was a railway guard although sometimes recorded as a policeman. I still have not been able to locate where his youngest child Margaret was born in Lasswade on June 25 1879. She was more than likely born at home. Mothers name Jessie, father Robert and her older siblings were Helen, William, and Robert.

I have gone to Lasswade from Canada, wandered up and down streets wondering just which place had been the home of my ancestors - no luck. Great granddad Robert, being a railway guard, does anyone think possibly that the lodgings would be provided. Thanks for any input anyone may have on this elusive family.

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