Chalmers Hospital Edinburgh.....

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:08 am

Does anyone know where I can find out more about Chalmers Hospital Edinburgh?
I am curious because one of my ancestors seemed to have a lot to do with it.
In 1877 he was listed as "Hospital Porter" on his son's BC and under "When and Where Born" it states "Lodger Chalmers Hospital Lauriston Edinburgh".
1881 census age 32 he was a "Gate Keeper (Chalmers Hosptial)".
1891 census age 40 he was "Living on Private Means".

Don't imagine hospital porter or gate keeper were too well paid to retire so early, and how could he be a lodger at a hospital?

Just wondered if anyone could shed any light on this for me.

Thanks
Barbara

Ted · Post by **Ted** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:13 am

Barbara

The original buildings still stand - in Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. The site is now used as office accomodation for the National Health Service. The property is surrounded by a large sandstone wall - the original lodge house is still there at the gates into the site. It is likey that your ancestor lived in that lodgehouse and had a combined roll as gatekeeper / porter / groundsman. Also it is more likey that the death cert means Lodge, Chalmers Hospotal etc - rather than lodger.

This link gives some more info on the original hospital:-

http://www.lhsa.lib.ed.ac.uk/histheal/h ... lmers.html

Hope this helps

Best regards

Ted

TD

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:21 pm

Hi Ted,

Thanks for your reply and the link - all very interesting

It just helps to form more of a picture of them.

I wonder if he came into money or how he came to be "living on private means". I can't read the street on the 1891, it begins with G and the next residence on the census is Spittal Street. His wife came from Roscommon Ireland, so don't imagine there was too much money there??

I appreciate you taking the time to reply

kind regards
Barbara

Post by **AndrewP** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:43 pm

BarbR wrote:I can't read the street on the 1891, it begins with G and the next residence on the census is Spittal Street.

Hi Barbara,

Could it be Grindlay Street - that is off Spittal Street.

All the best,

AndrewP

mistral · Post by **mistral** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 2:44 pm

Hi Barbara
Do you think the street you can't read the name of could be Grindlay Street? It's at right angles to Spittal Street and can't think offhand of another street beginnning with "G" around there.
Best wishes
Mistral

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 7:29 pm

Thanks Andrew and Mistral: I think it likely is Grindlay Street.
I lived in Edinburgh close to 20 years ago but memory fails me from time to time on what streets are close to each other. Grindlay Street is where the Lyceum is/was - is it not?

Kind regards
Barbara

Post by **AndrewP** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 10:33 pm

BarbR wrote:Grindlay Street is where the Lyceum is/was - is it not?

Certainly is, still is. (I've stayed in Edinburgh all my days and never been in the Lyceum.)

All the best,

AndrewP

BarbR · Post by **BarbR** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 11:10 pm

I remember going to see something there and thing that stands out in my mind is how steeply the rows of seats we graded - your feet seemed to be at the height of the person in front of you shoulders

Kind regards
Barbara

Russell · Post by **Russell** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 12:33 am

At risk of hijacking someone else's thread but my memory is the Gods in the Usher Hall. It gave you vertigo just looking down at the auditorium.

Fabulous accoustic though.

Russell

Post by **AndrewP** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:03 am

Russell wrote:At risk of hijacking someone else's thread but my memory is the Gods in the Usher Hall. It gave you vertigo just looking down at the auditorium.

Fabulous accoustic though.

Russell

(At risk of continuing the hijack) I have been in the Gods in the Usher Hall (The Lyceum is next door). Up there, your ankles are about level with the heads of the row in front of you. Agreed - great acoustics.

All the best,

AndrewP