Fresh chapter in family history study as church books revealed

The Scottish Genealogy Society is offering a number of new publications on the history of Dalkeith.

The Edinburgh-based society has released four volumes on the non-conformist churches in the town.

A spokeswoman said: “The information contained in these publications is a great boon to anyone researching their family history in Dalkeith and the surrounding areas as the baptisms and marriages do not appear in the usual Church of Scotland birth, marriage records.

“Testimonials were required when moving from one parish to another, so that the receiving parish knew where the incomer came from, if he was of a suitable character, if he was eligible to receive communion, and unlikely to be a burden on the parish poor fund.”

The publications are available from the society’s Family History Centre at Victoria Terrace.