Knock knock who's there

thomsj1 · Post by **thomsj1** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 7:54 pm

Researching your past can be an emotional rollercoaster ride - you just never know what to expect. I've just opened up a new line of research that took me back to Edinburgh in 1841. Looking for a female ancestor born around 1821 I did a search on Ancestry. I got about a dozen hits but there was one that stood out - it seemed the best match so I clicked on it. One second later I'd just about about fallen off my seat in a fit of laughter

The record I was looking at gave the address as Rose Street with an occupation of brothel keeper ! It looks as though I could be related to an Edinburgh Madam !! After I calmed down I started thinking about the poor enumerator who had to wander round Edinburgh's red light district, knocking on the doors and asking 'Who's in the house ?'. Is that a tough job or what ? I hope he or she got a bonus

Cheers

Jim

Post by **paddyscar** » Thu Sep 25, 2008 9:14 pm

I started thinking about the poor enumerator who had to wander round Edinburgh's red light district, knocking on the doors and asking 'Who's in the house ?'.

... and all the while praying it wouldn't be someone he/she knew

Frances

Post by **joette** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:00 pm

As far as I am aware aswell it still-Rose St.notorious or otherwise as a
red-light area.
The "Soho" of the North perhaps?

thomsj1 · Post by **thomsj1** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:19 pm

joette wrote:The "Soho" of the North perhaps?

Your'e spot on Joette. I was in Glasgow today having lunch with some old work pals. One of them was born in Edinburgh and still supports Hearts (doesn't make him a bad person though !) so he's through in the capital every other week. He told me that Rose Street is still a dodgy area even now !!

Cheers

Jim

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:08 pm

Hi all
No problem at all with Rose Street during the day, some interesting shops, pubs and some good places to eat....it must just be an "after dark" thing.

Best wishes
Lesley

keewik · Post by **keewik** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:01 pm

Rose Street 1841! Brothels! Omigod! I have a number of ancestors who lived in Rose Street at various times between 1841 and 1861.
My own shock from Ancestry yesterday was when I managed to find the army records of 3 great-uncles who were in the First World War, and discovered they'd ALL been treated for gonorrhea! I'm not easily shocked but I found this mildly disconcerting!

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 6:10 pm

Hi Keewik

army records of 3 great-uncles who were in the First World War, and discovered they'd ALL been treated for gonorrhea!

Well, it was during war time.... I suspect given the long periods away from home and "civilisation", and the appalling conditions on the front, you most probably lived for the moment, taking any chance of a little human contact and er...social interaction, where you could find it. I would think it was not that unusual for a soldier to be treated for VD, regardless of their social background or expected behaviour under "normal life" conditions.

Best wishes
Lesley

keewik · Post by **keewik** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 12:23 am

Well, maybe. Perhaps fortunately I haven't been able to find my grandfather's war record!

hg · Post by hg » Tue Sep 30, 2008 11:08 pm

I wouldn't say Rose Street is a dodgy area anymore Jim. I was there on my birthday in the evening drinking in some of the many pubs. No problems.

Salamander Street in Leith is the red light area.

Helen

keewik · Post by **keewik** » Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:10 am

thomsj1 wrote: The record I was looking at gave the address as Rose Street with an occupation of brothel keeper !

As a a matter of interest, what number in Rose Street? I had folk there in 1841 at no. 126.

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