Edinburgh Town Clerk.....

[jeanwatts1]

Hello all,
In my family tree I have Alexander Harris who in all records gives his occupation as Edinburgh town clerk, a position he held from 1867 until his death 1893,
Can any body tell me What was a town clerk,?
Any help appreciated,
Jean

[CatrionaL]

Hullo Jean

Welcome to Talking Scot.

The town clerk was, if memory serves me right, the secretary to the corporation of the town, Provost, councillors ......He had his office in the municipal buildings.

Happy searching
Catriona

[DavidWW]

In other words, the top, permanent official of the local government administration ........ heid bummer 'n' 'at, ken

The term was (is??) used all over Scotland, from small towns to large cities.

Davie
on the way to Nelson

[jeanwatts1]

Hello Catriona and David,
Thank you both for responding to what you must have thought was rather a silly query,
But you have both confirmed what i thought , the reason for my asking was, I am in touch with some Americans who also have Alexander Harris in theire family tree, but they have him as Lord Mayor of Edinburgh, now I can tell them Lord Mayor and town clerk are not the same,
ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU BOTH,
Warmest Regards,
Jean,

[AnneM]

Hi. If my memeory serves me ccorrectly the town clerk was usually a lawyer. Would probably now be called head of legal services or something imaginative like that.

Anne

[jeanwatts1]

Hello Anne,
Thank you, I think you are correct about the connection to the Law, On his marriage to Mary Cogan which took place in Peebles, He gives his occupation as Lawyers clerk, On the birth certificate of one of his children fathers occupation is given as keeper of the registers of Edinburgh,
Warmest regards,
Jean.

[TScott]

Hi Jean,

Alexander Harris is a common relation. His daughter married a Thomas Scott whose son was my grandfather.

Alexander Harris co-authored the Edinburgh Municipal and Police Act of 1885 which was important piece of legislation in putting the police force under civilian oversight. It was copied extensively and can be found in many law libraries for its historical significance.

Please contact me if you get this message as I share your interest in my Scottish roots ted.scott insert at symbol here mcmillan.ca

Regards,
Thomas Edward (Ted) Scott
Toronto Canada

Email address altered to avoid it being picked up by bots. Frances

[StewL]

Hello Ted

This is an older post, if Jean has the same email address she will receive notification of your post.
Although on TS we don't like to think of any post as old