Gogar - Edinburgh, Edinburghshire

[bobloes]

For any proper Jock reading this please do not get upset about the title. It is the way it is written in the records!! Or at least some-one's transliteration of what is written. One of my ancestors throughout the census records is shown as being born in Edin, Edinb'sh (hence my title). However his last entry states Gogar. Now I know that Gogar is close to Edinburgh airport to the west of the city. So can anyone help me out by 'confirming' that this was a normal entry for that period ie second half of the 19th century. Thanks.

[AndrewP]

Hi Bobloes,



It depends a lot who wrote the document as to how it would have been named.

Gogar was in the parish of Corstorphine (along with Gogar House, Gogar Mains, Gogarburn and Gogar Park), which did not become part of the City of Edinburgh until 1920. Other Gogar named places were in the neighbouring parish of Ratho (Gogar Mount, Gogar Stone, Gogar Green, Gogar Bank and Over Gogar). In political terms Ratho became part of Edinburgh District (a division of Lothian Region) in 1975, which in turn became a part of the City of Edinburgh Council unitary authority area in the late 1990s (1997?).

The county was named on different documents as the County of Edinburgh, Edinburghshire (occasionally Edinburgh Shire) or Midlothian (or occasionally Mid Lothian). Towards the end of the 19th century, Midlothian took over as the more commonly used form, presumably with the establishment of Midlothian County Council, following the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1889. In the 20th century, Midlothian was used on almost all documents of that county. Although the 'county' met its demise in 1975 following the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1973, the name continued as Midlothian District (a division of Lothian Region), and now as Midlothian (a unitary authority area).

The 1890s Ordnance Survey map showing the area has the county shown as Edinburghshire.

All the best,

AndrewP

[bobloes]

AndrewP

Thanks very much for that info. One of the things I have been very aware of when doing family history is the danger of following false leads. Whenever something does not appear consistent then the alarms go off. Although I had other reasons to think I was following the correct individual your explanation is sufficient for me not to be concerned. Thanks very much for your time.

Bob

[Hibee]

Hi Bob

The Lothians were known by their County Town names - Linlithgowshire, Edinburghshire and Haddingtonshire.

Gogar was on the border between the first two. When I was a lad Gogarburn was known for two things - a great adventure playground, and a hospital for the insane.

Oh, and acres and acres of tomato greenhouses.

Hibee