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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Moray (Elginshire) => Topic started by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 09:12 BST (UK)

Title: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 09:12 BST (UK)
Hi folks,

After finding a flaw in my tree (right name; wrong person!) I discovered a few more rellies in Elgin - I moved to Moray with work in 1992 and was delighted to find that a significant chunk of my family are originally from here!

I've found rellies in the 1881 Census John Murray (Plasterer) and family who lived in Winchesters Close in Elgin - interestingly (at least for me!) John, his wife Jessie, and their 2 infant children are buried in Elgin Cathedral cemetery- quite close to 2 of his uncles and their respective families.

Anyway, enough of my family tree! The point of this post is that, even with Mary Byatt’s Elgin: The story of the High Street and Closes, I can't find anything pointing as to where Winchesters Close might be.  I suspect that the name reflects Bishop Winchester rather than the place.

Any clues?

Yours in anticipation,

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: CaroleW on Thursday 14 August 25 09:32 BST (UK)
Is the address taken from the transcription or have you viewed the actual 1881 image?  The transcription says WinchesterS  Close as does your post

Viewing the image may show other road names nearby
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 10:30 BST (UK)
It’s Winchesters Close.  I have the Census details from SP.  I’m having trouble replying to this thread and even more trouble uploading the image!

Good shout re neighbouring streets.

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 10:31 BST (UK)
Only way I could get this to post.

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: CaroleW on Thursday 14 August 25 10:38 BST (UK)
Are all others entries on the 1881 image shown as Winchester(s) Close or is any other address shown
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 11:12 BST (UK)
The next addresses are on the High Street: 228 to 220 High Street!

Thanks! 😉

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: Forfarian on Thursday 14 August 25 13:30 BST (UK)
Suggest you go to Elgin Library and take out the microfilm of the 1881 census. 'Walk' the whole of the enumeration district containing Winchester(s) Close, noting all the other addresses in order, and you should end up with a pretty good idea of where it was.
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: Little Nell on Thursday 14 August 25 15:09 BST (UK)
Have a look at this map from 1822

https://maps.nls.uk/view/74400028

High Street runs east-west.  Locate the G of High Street and then look slightly to the right near the building which appears to stick out into the street further than the other frontages.  Below that is marked "Mr Winchester" - perhaps this might be Winchesters Close.

This map is 1838:

https://maps.nls.uk/view/74400946

You will find the same location just below and slightly left of the I in High Street and it is marked "Winster"

Both of the above are close to the 200 High Street which seems to appear on the enumerator's walk close to the location you seek.

Looking at a modern map and Google StreetView, there is a wynd which runs alongside No 214 High Street ( the driving school) through to Thunderton Place.

Nell
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 15:39 BST (UK)
Cheers, Nell!

That’s great. Thanks.

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 15:45 BST (UK)
Mary Byatt’s book has the close at No 224 High Steet as ‘unnamed’!

I think we have a winner!

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 15:46 BST (UK)
Suggest you go to Elgin Library and take out the microfilm of the 1881 census. 'Walk' the whole of the enumeration district containing Winchester(s) Close, noting all the other addresses in order, and you should end up with a pretty good idea of where it was.

I sound idea!
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: ecksdochter on Thursday 14 August 25 21:50 BST (UK)
     Address on Census posted by Roxy is Winchester's Close (apostrophe, 's). Likely the Close takes it's name from someone who either owned property or lived there, Winchester, sometimes shortened to Winster, being quite a common surname in the Elgin area. I traced my husband's family back to Alexander Winchester and Jane Miller/Millert who married 1798 at Elgin.
     Regards,     Dod.
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 22:06 BST (UK)
Cheers, Dod!

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Thursday 14 August 25 23:10 BST (UK)
I’ve also just noticed that the first named occupant of Winchester’s Close is George Winchester!

He was a 78 year old widower from Elgin who was a retired cooper.

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: hanes teulu on Friday 15 August 25 08:35 BST (UK)
I’ve also just noticed that the first named occupant of Winchester’s Close is George Winchester!

He was a 78 year old widower from Elgin who was a retired cooper.

Roxy

Elgin Courant & Morayshire Advertiser, 13 Nov 1857
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Friday 15 August 25 08:45 BST (UK)
That’s brilliant!

Thanks so much!

Every day is a school day 👍

Roxy
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: hanes teulu on Friday 15 August 25 09:17 BST (UK)
The next addresses are on the High Street: 228 to 220 High Street!

Thanks! 😉

Roxy

Elgin Courant & Morayshire Advertiser, 15 Oct 1889
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: stuartroxy on Friday 15 August 25 09:50 BST (UK)
Great stuff!

This site is brilliant!
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: hanes teulu on Friday 15 August 25 12:22 BST (UK)
That’s brilliant!

Thanks so much!

Every day is a school day 👍

Roxy

Couldn't agree more - I now know what the grated iron over a drain/open sewer is called in Scotland!
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: Istrice on Friday 15 August 25 13:47 BST (UK)
A property marked as Mr Winchesters is shown on the attached John Wood Plan of Elgin (https://maps.nls.uk/view/74400028 (https://maps.nls.uk/view/74400028)).  See under the "G" in High Street.

Istrice
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 15 August 25 14:10 BST (UK)
Every day is a school day 👍
Couldn't agree more - I now know what the grated iron over a drain/open sewer is called in Scotland!
What is it called outwith Scotland then?
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: hanes teulu on Sunday 17 August 25 07:41 BST (UK)
I'd use grating.
Title: Re: Winchester Close, Elgin
Post by: Kiltaglassan on Sunday 17 August 25 08:02 BST (UK)

Every day is a school day 👍
Couldn't agree more - I now know what the grated iron over a drain/open sewer is called in Scotland!
What is it called outwith Scotland then?

As hanes teulu says, a grating.
https://www.jonite.com/insights/everything-to-know-about-drain-grating