A city in the east of Scotland.The origins of Edinburgh lie in pre-historic settlements around the castle rock. The town was constituted a royal burgh during the reign of David I (1124-53).  Boundary extensions swallowed up parts of the county of Midlothian, including the burghs of Canongate, Calton, and Portsburgh (in 1856), Portobello (1896), and Leith (1920).

Maps and plans

Search for maps and plans of Edinburgh.

Statutory registers

Civil registration of birth, marriage and death in Scotland began in 1855. Search the statutory registers for registration districts in Edinburgh city.

Church registers

Baptisms, marriages and burials were recorded by churches. Church of Scotland registers before 1855 became the Old Parish Registers in the care of the Registrar General for Scotland. Search church registers of baptisms, marriages, burials and other events for Church of Scotland parishes, Roman Catholic congregations and other church congregations in Edinburgh city.

Census returns

Population censuses have been taken every ten years in Scotland since 1801 and census returns for households survive from 1841 onwards. Search the census returns for census enumeration districts in Edinburgh city.

Valuation rolls

Valuation rolls are local tax rolls, listing most properties and their owners and occupiers. They were compiled in Scotland from 1855 onwards. Search valuation rolls for parishes and burghs in Edinburgh city.

Legal records

Wills and testaments

Wills and testaments for people in Edinburgh city were registered in the following commissary courts and sheriff courts (with National Records of Scotland reference codes in brackets):

  • Edinburgh Commissary Court, 1514-1829 (CC8), includes testaments relating to Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian, and, under certain conditions, to all areas of Scotland, and to most Scots who died abroad.
  • Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories, 1808-1925 (SC70), includes testaments relating to Midlothian and, under certain conditions, to all areas of Scotland, and to most Scots who died abroad.
  • Edinburgh Sheriff Court Wills, 1844-1925 (SC70), includes testaments relating to Midlothian and, under certain conditions, to all areas of Scotland, and to most Scots who died abroad.
  • Non-Scottish Courts, 1858-1900 (SC70), includes testaments relating to Scots who died in England and other foreign countries.

Search for wills and testaments for people and places in Edinburgh city.

Coats of Arms

Search the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings for coats of arms connected with people and places in Edinburgh city.

Military Service Appeal Tribunal records

Search Military Service Appeals Tribunal records for appeals against conscription by men in Edinburgh city during the First World War.