1841 Census Handwriting

[1wycombe]

The 1841 Scottish census for Leith contains a reference to one of my ancestors, Thomas Thomson, 20, Blacksmith Journeyman.
The actual image shows his birthplace crossed out and replaced by the general "Midlothian"connotation.

Can anyone decipher what the actual birthplace was?

Similarly for the other Thomson family members.
Janet, widow, looks like Liberton?
Janet, 4, looks like Leith?

Any 1841 handwriting experts out there who could help?
Any opinions appreciated.

[sporran]

Hello 1wycombe,


I think that it is Liberton (written as Libberton) for Janet, followed by 3 offspring in Edin(burgh) and then 1 in Leith.


Regards,

John

[1wycombe]

Thank you John,

You're right, it does look like Libberton but, someone correct me if I'm wrong, isn't Libberton near Glasgow whereas Liberton is next to Leith/Edinburgh?

It seems a bit strange that most of this Thomson family are from the Edinburgh area, except the widow Janet from Glasgow. It's possible the census-taker simply miss-spelled Liberton as Libberton, but as yet I have no way of checking.

Thanks again for taking a look and for your opinion.

Steve

[Little Nell]

There is an area of Edinburgh called Liberton - it is out beyond the King's Buildings of the University in the shadow of Braid Hills.  Spelling in 1841 was by no means set in stone.

Nell

[1wycombe]

Thanks Nell,
I'm going to assume the widow Janet was from Liberton near Edinburgh, since everything points to that.
After all, the enumerator originally wrote Libberton, but this was crossed out and a "Y" written in, indicating Janet was born somewhere in Midlothian.
Thanks again for your interest.
Steve