The Staff of the 1921 Scottish Census
The Staff of the 1921 Scottish Census
Photograph of the Census Office Staff (Scotland), Crown copyright, National Records of Scotland, GRO6/464/11
The 1921 Scottish Census was taken on 19 June 1921. In order to process the huge amount of data created, the Registrar General recruited a mixed team of male and female clerks, and teenage assistants known as ‘card punchers’. This rare photograph shows the staff of the Census Office in Edinburgh, in spring or summer 1922. Can you help identify them and add to our knowledge?
Together, this team of staff tackled more than 1.5 million census schedules, and thousands of enumeration books, from across Scotland. They converted the personal returns into anonymous punch cards, which were then fed into sorting and counting machines.
Machines to record census data. 'Numbering the People' by mechanism - modern census methods "uknown to David and Joab"! ©Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
The end result was the multitude of statistical tables published in the Registrar General’s preliminary report in 1921, followed by four more volumes (1922-24). Together they provide a detailed demographic picture of Scotland in 1921, and an enduring historical record. Recently this record has been supplemented by public access to the personal details contained in the 1921 Census enumeration books. The huge potential of the 1921 Census for family history has been tapped to help identify the men and women who worked on the records a century ago.
The Census Office
The Census Office was recruited from a unique mix of ex-servicemen, male clerks from other government departments (some as old as 56), female clerks or ‘clerkesses’ aged from 17 to 34, and school leavers who were mostly aged 14. They were led by a handful of the Registrar General’s own staff, and the more experienced and skilled of the clerkesses supervised the young card punchers. Between 1921 and 1924 a total of 90 temporary staff were employed: 36 male clerks, 19 clerkesses and 35 card punchers.
The photograph captures 71 of them. We believe the group photograph was taken in the summer of 1922, on the steps of the north side of George Heriot’s School, not on the spacious steps of New Register House, where the Census Office was based. Everyone is smartly-dressed, as if for a special occasion. Did Dr Dunlop, the Registrar General, host a social event for his temporary staff before most of them were let go in July 1922?
Each individual is identified by surname and initials, as well as in a separate staff list (NRS GRO4/27/2). Despite this, the identities of 27 of them remain a mystery. For example, A McGibbon may be one of two young women named Agnes McGibbon. Four of the fourteen clerkesses are unknown, although we can tentatively identify M M Mackenzie as one of two government clerkesses in 1921, and A Sinclair may have been Alice Sinclair, a clerkess who had lost her job at R W Forsyth, Edinburgh’s well-known outfitters.
23 clerks, clerkesses and card punchers on the staff of the Census Office in Edinburgh do not appear in the group photograph. Most of them had probably left the staff for various reasons; while we hold an official staff list that provides the full names of the males, it only provides the surnames and initials for female staff (GRO4/27/2). The identities of several remain a mystery. All those not included in the photographed are marked in the list with an ‘*’.
If you have any information that can help us identify these individuals, please get in touch at [email protected], or via our social media channels.
5. William Adam (19 September 1881 – 6 December 1965)
Grade III / II Clerk, 4 July 1921 – 19 February 1922
Born in Edinburgh, son of George Adam, master grocer, and Helen Philp. Married Agnes Brack, 9 June 1903. Served as Army private during First World War. Law Clerk, Sasine Office, before appointment to Census Office. Appointed to permanent clerical post in GRO, 17 February 1922. Died at Bangour Hospital, West Lothian, aged 84.
12. John Alexander (6 July 1872 – 8 April 1940)
Grade III Clerk, 4 July 1921 – 28 October 1921, Grade II Clerk, 29 October 1921 – 1 July 1923
Born at Methlick, Aberdeenshire, son of Alexander Alexander, a farm servant, and Annie Mackie. His father became a police officer with the Midlothian constabulary, and by 1891 John was working as a clerk in Edinburgh. Married Isabella Watt in Portobello, 9 July 1896. Three of their four children died young. By 1901 John was a cashier in the Lands Valuation Office, and an assessor’s assistant there by 1911. During the war he served as Private 212284 in the Royal Army Service Corps. His brother George Mackie Alexander also served and survived, but their younger brothers Robert and William Scott Alexander were killed in action on 3 May and 18 June 1917 respectively. John’s surviving son Alexander Watt Lynch Alexander was presumed to have died in action in France on 24 September 1918. After the war John became a clerk in the Sasines Office, before transferring to the Census Office in 1921. Was retained to work on statistical charts, July 1922. Appointed to the permanent clerical grade and assigned to GROS, 6 July 1923. Died in retirement in Edinburgh aged 67.
28. Olive Mary Halliday Alexander (8 February 1907 - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
Listed only as ‘O Alexander’. The only young woman of the right age in Edinburgh in the 1921 Census is Olive M H Alexander, aged 14 years and 4 months, a scholar, born in Edinburgh and living with her parents, James Alexander, tailor’s presser, and his wife Jane. The 1911 Census reveals that the family were then living at High Buckholmside, Galashiels, and that Olive Halliday was their ‘adoptive daughter’. Olive Mary Halliday was born 18 February 1907, daughter of Alexander Halliday, miner, and Annie Johnston McCormick.
49. Williamina Calley Allan (20 Mar 1905 – 10 November 1988)
Card puncher, 12 September 1921 – 21 July 1922
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of William Calley Allan, joiner, and Charlotte Forbes. In June 1921 Minnie Allan was recorded as an apprentice milliner before she joined the Census Office. A retired clerkess when she died unmarried in Edinburgh, aged 83.
41. H Armstrong (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
Her first name and identity are unknown.
* James Arnott
Clerk, Grade IV and later Grade III, 5 December 1921 – 6 May 1922
* Alexander Anderson Baillie (18 April 1900 – 9 August 1963)
Clerk Grade IV, 4 October 1920 – 14 October 1921
Born in Edinburgh, son of Jemima Jane Baillie, envelope maker, and an unknown father. Shortly after leaving the Census Office, on 22 October he emigrated to Canada to join his mother, who in 1912 had married Archibald Landles and emigrated there. Abandoned his plan to work as a shopkeeper and returned, disembarking at Glasgow, 20 November 1922. Was a clerk in Ministry of Transport when he married Marion McAskill or Wyatt, 5 September 1941. Died Edinburgh, aged 63.
* James Low Blackhall (10 September 1900 – 15 September 1966)
Clerk Grade IV, 1 March – 12 May 1922
Born in Edinburgh, son of James Low Blackhall, brassworker, and Mary Spence. Was out of work in June 1921, having been a clerk in the Ministry of Labour. Became a window cleaner in Ayr, marrying Elizabeth Mitchell Taylor, housekeeper, in Ayr, 25 March 1925. Died at Edinburgh, aged 66.
34. Violet Briginshaw (13 December 1905 – 30 July 1996)
Card puncher, 30 August 1921 – 23 June 1922
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of George Briginshaw, insurance agent, and Jessie McLaggan. A private secretary at the time of her marriage to James Taylor Ferguson, telephone mechanic, in Edinburgh, 26 August 1932. Died in Edinburgh, aged 91.
15. Christina Helen Brown (21 January 1901 – 2 June 1978)
Clerkess Grades IV and III, 29 August 1921 – 1 July 1922
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of Adam Brown, coachman, and Jane Ovenstone. Working as a typist in Register House, June 1921, before joining Census Office. Typist at time of her marriage to William Barnett Munro, despatch clerk, Edinburgh, 27 September 1924. Died Edinburgh, aged 77.
70. James Brown (29 December 1864 – 22 January 1938)
Clerk Grade III, 1 August 1921 – 31 March 1924
Born in Leith, son of James Brown, labourer, and Margaret McCallum. Working as a mercantile clerk when he married Catherine Gibb Lumsden, Edinburgh, 13 January 1877. By 1911 he was a railway clerk. Worked as an Engrossing Clerk in the Sasine Office, 24 June 1918 – 30 June 1921. Transferred to Census Office. Retained for work on statistical tables, July 1922. Later returned to work as a commercial clerk. Died Edinburgh, aged 73.
63. William Bruce (c.1895 - ?)
Clerk Grade III, 11 July 1921 – 25 July 1922
Stated in 1921 Census to have been born in Kinghorn, Fife, and probably served during the First World War. Before joining the Census Office, in June 1921 he was working as a clerk in the National Health Insurance department of the Ministry of Labour, and living with his uncle James Cowan, ship joiner, in Leith. Little else is known about him.
71. David Lee Bryce (30 March 1877 – 26 November 1933)
Pensioner messenger, 1 June 1921 – 31 March 1924
Born in Glasgow, illegitimate son of Alexander Bryce, packing box maker, and Harriet Lee, housekeeper. Joined Royal Scots, 1896. Married Helen Law Thomson, Peebles, 10 January 1913. Served in France with 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 1914-16. Wounded, 1915. Promoted to Sergeant, 24 August 1916. Prisoner of war, 13 November 1916 – 6 December 1918. Discharged 3 April 1919. Appointed Pensioner Messenger in Census Office, 1921. Continued as government messenger until his death aged 56, in Edinburgh.
66. David Charles Butler (11 July 1883 – 15 November 1948)
Clerk Grade III, 1 November 1921 – 5 July 1922
Born in Stonehaven, son of Christopher Dawson Butler, law clerk, and Annie Dunlop. Working as a clerk in Edinburgh, 1901, and a law clerk, 1911. Lance Corporal, Royal Scots, 1916-1919. Registry clerk in Ministry of Labour, June 1921, before joining Census Office. Junior Clerk to Scottish Episcopal Church, 1922 - 1931. Worked in Census Office again, 8 June 1931 – 29 April 1932. Married May Vernon Sandland, Edinburgh, 24 December 1931. Living in Rhyl, Flintshire, working as clerk, book-keeper and cashier, in 1939. Died in Chester, Cheshire, aged 65.
16. Victoria Charlotte Mary Buyers (22 June 1897 – 14 January 1965)
Clerkess Grade III, 6 July 1921 – 29 October 1923
Born at East Braikie, Kinnell, Angus, daughter of James Buyers, farmer, and Agnes Salmond. Assistant Secretary to League of Nations Scottish Council, June 1921. Working as a secretary when she married Henry Laurence Henderson, Edinburgh, 13 April 1935. Died in Edinburgh aged 67.
* Hugh Alexander Cameron (21 December 1865 – 4 January 1927)
Clerk Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 14 July 1922
Born at Galston, Ayrshire, son of William Cameron, accountant, and Maggie Wallace Starke. By 1910 he was an Engrossing Clerk in the Sasine Office. Served as Private 17442 in the Army Pay Corps during the First World War. Married Robina Frew at Edinburgh, 5 July 1918. Seconded from Sasine Office, where he worked as an Engrossing Clerk. See Register House Roll of Honour for his career. Working as a commercial traveller at the time of his death in Musselburgh, aged 61.
47. M Campbell (? - ?)
Card puncher, 6 March 1922 – 21 July 1922
18. Jessie Leishman Chinnery (20 November 1906 – 9 June 1955)
Card puncher, 12 September 1921 – 21 July 1922
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of Herbert Scott Chinnery, insurance agent, and Isabella Torrie. Niece of Walter Chinnery, messenger on Register House staff (see Register House Roll of Honour). Joined Census Office after leaving school aged 14. Working as clerkess when she married William Sharp, locomotive fitter, Edinburgh, 8 September 1933. Died at Whitehills, Forfar.
69. William Sutherland Dickson (6 May 1888 – 15 June 1963)
Grade III Clerk, 26 January 1921 – 5 July 1922
Born in Leith, son of Andrew Dickson, cartwright, and Marion Sutherland. Working as a time clerk and storekeeper when he married Margaret Dalziel, factory worker, Leith, 27 December 1911. Possibly the William S Dickson Private 200073 who served in 1/4th Battalion, Royal Scots, 1915-19. Retained to assist work on statistical tables, July 1922. Appointed Clerk, Special Class, in Scottish Home and Health Department, 26 January 1933, and remained there until retirement. Died in Edinburgh, aged 75.
13. Edith Campbell Dunlop (1 Apr 1887 – 13 May 1968)
Clerkess Grade III, 6 July 1921 – 31 March 1923
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of Anthony Dunlop, butler, and Elizabeth Wemyss. Clerk for Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, June 1921. When five other supervisors were dismissed in July 1922, she was kept on for special duties, including supervisor of remaining card punching. Married David William Buchan, commercial clerk, Edinburgh, 17 May 1934. Died in Edinburgh, aged 81.
8. Dr James Craufurd Dunlop (3 September 1865 – 10 April 1944)
Registrar General for Scotland, 1921 - 1930
Born Barrhead, Renfrewshire, son of Colin Hinton Dunlop and Mina Craufurd. Married Mary Isabella Duncan, 1891. Held several Scottish public appointments that employed his medical and statistical expertise, including Superintendent of Statistics in the Registrar General’s Office, Edinburgh, 1904-1930. Wartime service as Director of Statistics, Department of the Surveyor General of Supply in the War Office. Appointed as the first medically-trained Registrar General for Scotland in 1921, and was involved in every aspect of the Census. Published his 'Preliminary Report' (1921) and the full 'Report' in four volumes (1922-1924). Also published 'Scottish Life Tables, 1921' (1925) with help from F A Wink. Retired 1930. Died at North Berwick, aged 78.
24. Ethel May Finnie (14 May 1903 – 12 December 1966)
Clerkess Grade IV, 30 October 1921 – 11 May 1923
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of Edward Finnie, hatter’s manager, and Rachel Cudmore. Clerk in National Board of Health in June 1921, before joining Census Office. Married Redvers Reed, bank clerk, Edinburgh, 7 April 1928. Died in Edinburgh, aged 63.
* Veronica Kemp Fowke (3 December 1906 – 20 January 1952)
Card puncher, 8 August – 4 November 1921
Born at Balerno, daughter of Walter Clifford Fowke, paper mill worker, and Catherine March. At school aged 14, 19 June 1921, before joining Census Office. Working as an antique dealer’s assistant when she married (Percy) Ben Hamblett, sergeant, Cameron Highlanders, in Edinburgh, 8 March 1930. Living at Farnborough, Hampshire, from 1939 onwards. Died at Farnham Hospital, Surrey, aged 45.
38. Jane Morgan Gall (8 August 1905 – 7 June 1979)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of Alexander Gall, commercial traveller, and Jane McLeod. Working as typist before her marriage to Alexander Henderson Brown, dental surgeon, Edinburgh 20 October 1934. Died in Edinburgh, aged 73.
17. I Gordon (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 22 July 1922
23. Rose Mary Grant (30 May 1904 – 31 December 1972)
Clerkess Grades V and IV, 8 August 1921 – 26 October 1923
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of John Grant, mercantile clerk, and Mary Jane Harper. Clerkess in Scottish Board of Health in June 1921, before joining Census Office. Later worked as a clerkess. Died unmarried in Edinburgh, aged 68.
11. Walter Greig (5 January 1895 – 8 August 1963)
Clerk Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 30 June 1922, Grade II, 1 July 1922 – 31 March 1924
Born in Edinburgh, son of Walter Greig, coachman, and Margaret Pringle. By 1911 he was a law clerk. Served as a corporal during the war, possibly overseas in 14th Battalion, London Regiment, and the Army Service Corps. Was a non-established clerk in Sasine Office in June 1921, before joining the Census Office. Retained to work on statistical tables, July 1922. About the time of his marriage to Margaret Kennedy Macfarlane, Edinburgh, 10 January 1927, he was appointed valuation clerk, Inland Revenue, Edinburgh. Died in Aberdeen, aged 68.
51. Alexander Stewart Grierson (9 January 1892 – ?)
Clerk Grade III, 15 July 1921 – 5 July 1922
Born at Barrhead, Neilston, Renfrewshire, son of David Grierson, railway clerk, and Mary Stewart, who had moved to Edinburgh by 1901. Wartime service as Private 300523, Tank Corps. Discharged 31 January 1919 with pension owing to injury to right knee. In June 1921 he was out of work, having been a West Africa trader with John Holt & Co, Liverpool.
53. J Hamilton (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
* George William Harper (29 January 1894 – 29 March 1951)
Clerk Grade III, 25 October 1921 – 14 January 1922
Born in Edinburgh, son of George Harper, public librarian, and Jane Drysdale Pryde. Served in the Army during the First World War. A Caledonian Railway Company clerk in June 1921, on 25 October he was appointed at short notice to fill a vacancy in the Census Office. Civil servant in Ministry of Pensions when he married Agnes Wightman Stenhouse, librarian, 1 November 1924. Civil servant in Post Office Savings Bank, living in Surrey, September 1939. Died at Harrogate, aged 57.
57. H Harrison (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
* Mary Reid Hawson (29 August 1906 – ?)
Card puncher, 12 September 1921 – 4 March 1922
Born Leith, daughter of John Hawson, patternmaker, and Jane Reid. At school, aged 14 in June 1921, before joining Census Office. Working as a typist when she married George Wanstead Bristow, police officer of Croydon, Surrey, in Edinburgh, 20 June 1931. They were living in East Barnet, Hertfordshire in 1939.
* David John Henderson (10 May 1884 – 26 August 1955)
Clerk Grade IV, 9 November 1921, and Grade III from 4 December 1921 – 20 May 1922
Born in Wick, Caithness, son of David Henderson, joiner, and Janet Iverach. His business as a glass merchant in Edinburgh appears to have failed in October 1911. Served in 9th Battalion, Royal Scots, December 1915 – February 1919. In June 1921 he was working as a commercial traveller for a glass merchant. After leaving the Census Office he held several temporary civil service posts until he was reappointed as a Grade III Clerk working on the 1931 Census, 3 June 1931 – 13 May 1932. His last post was as a Clerical Assistant in the Estate Duty Office. Died unmarried in Edinburgh, aged 70.
14. Isabella Legget Henderson (5 July 1902 - ?)
Typist Grade II, 15 November 1920 – 19 April 1923; Clerkess, 20 April 1923 – 31 March 1924
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of James Porteous Henderson and Isabella Legget. Joined permanent staff in spring 1923, and was highly-regarded. Brief period in Inland Revenue, spring 1924, before returning to GROS.
* Winifred Holden (c.1893 – ?)
Clerkess Grade III, 6 July 1921 – 17 March 1922
Born Southport, Lancashire. Probably a student teacher in a private school in Ilkley, Yorkshire, in 1911. An out-of-work secretary with ‘Winchester School Council’, apparently staying temporarily in Edinburgh in June 1921, when she successfully applied for a temporary clerkship.
46. A Hunter (30 April 1907 - ?)
Card puncher, 7 November 1921 – 21 July 1922
Possibly Annie Mackenzie Hunter, born in Leith, 30 April 1907, daughter of Alfred Cornelius Hunter, wood sawyer, and Elizabeth Levin. She married James Blair, surgical instrument salesman, Edinburgh, 2 September 1933.
* Alexander Hutchison (8 July 1878 – 26 October 1952)
Temporary Clerk Grade III, 4 July – 19 August 1921
Born at Forfar, son of William Hutchison, powerloom tenter, and Elizabeth Innes. Apprentice lawyer with W & J S Gordon, solicitors, Forfar. Law clerk in Dundee, 1901. Married Mary Ann Watson at Dundee, 16 May 1908. Working as a clerk in Edinburgh by 1915. Working as an Engrossing Clerk in the Sasine Office when he enlisted in the Army, 1 October 1916. Called up, 4 January 1917. Posted to Royal Garrison Artillery, ending his service in the 54th Anti-Aircraft Battery. Demobilised 15 January 1919, and returned to Register House. Seconded from the Sasine Office, where he worked as an Engrossing Clerk. See Register House Roll of Honour for his career. Died Edinburgh, aged 74.
* Alexander Irvine (31 Mar 1896 – 5 December 1987)
Clerk Grade III, 4 July – 31 October 1921
Born in Edinburgh, son of John Irvine, tailor, and Catherine Dunlop. Served in the Army during the First World. Engrossing Clerk in Sasine Office, June 1921. Seconded to Census Office. Married Dorothy Bessie Fleming in Edinburgh, 13 August 1921. Probably worked in Post Office subsequently. Died Somerset, aged 91.
36. L Irvine (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
26. Jane Dick Anderson Kirkland (4 August 1906 – 24 April 1975)
Card puncher, 22 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
Born Kingston-upon-Hull, daughter of James Mill Kirkland, printer’s compositor, and Elizabeth Anderson. Joined Census Office after leaving school aged 14. Working as clerkess for Edinburgh Corporation at time of her marriage to David Marshall, engineer, 10 March 1945. Died Edinburgh, aged 68.
* James Learmonth (31 March 1896 – 3 September 1962)
Clerk Grade III, 6 December 1921 – 20 May 1922
Born in Linlithgow, son of James Thom Learmonth, spirit merchant, and Catherine Williamina Wright. Assistant in his widowed mother’s public house, 1911. Civil service clerk, Register House, June 1921. Seconded to Census Office. Married Ethel Maud Healy in London, 1929. He was a civil servant in the Ministry of Health, and they were living in Acton, London, at time of 1939 National Register. He died at Blackpool, aged 66.
* Daniel McKinlay Macrae (13 May 1878 – 8 October 1931)
Clerk Grade III and later Grade II, 21 February 1921 – 23 February 1923
Born in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, son of Charles MacKenzie Macrae, general practitioner, and Annabella Jane MacKenzie. Medical student in Edinburgh, 1901. Served during Boer War, spending 3 years with the South African Constabulary, 1901-1904. Working as an accountant in a mine when he attested for military service in South Africa, 31 March 1917; Served in France, mainly with 4th Regiment, South African Infantry, 28 July 1917 – 22 January 1918. Having contracted bronchitis he was discharged as no longer fit for service, 18 March 1918. Appointed a Statistical Clerk in the Census Office. One of the ex-service clerks who were retained in July 1922. Appointed to permanent grade of Clerical Class (Men), 23 February 1923, transferring to the Post Office, January 1924. Married Agnes Nicoll Roy in London, 1924. Died in hospital in London, aged 53.
60. Henry Moncreiff McCabe or MacCabe (26 May 1873 – 16 June 1955
Clerk Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 7 July 1922
Born in Edinburgh, son of John MacCabe, printer’s warehouseman, and Helen Crichton. For decades worked as a clerk, in 1911 for an auctioneer. Married Jeanie or Jane Cockburn circa 1908. Wartime service at home in Army Pay Corps, rising to Lance Sergeant 7792. Postwar became an Engrossing Clerk in Sasine Office, from where he transferred to the Census Office. At his death in Edinburgh, aged 82, he was described as a retired auditor’s clerk.
* John McDiarmid (30 September 1874 – 30 August 1948)
Pensioner messenger, 28 January 1922 – 31 March 1924
Birth in Edinburgh recorded as John MacDiarmiad, son of David MacDiarmiad, journeyman mason, and Sophia McKenzie. Worked as a baker before enlisting in the Black Watch, 1894. Married Jessie Malcolm, Edinburgh, 23 July 1903. Served at home, in South Africa twice (including during the Boer War), India, and finally in France, 1914-1919. He was out of work as a slater’s helper in June 1921, before being appointed to his temporary post in the Census Office. Later he began work as a pensioner messenger in the Record Office in Register House, 1 April 1925. After his first wife’s death in 1929 he married Mary Hunter Fowler, Edinburgh, 29 August 1931. Died at Rosyth, aged 74.
33. A McGibbon (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 26 October 1923
Retained in Census Office after July 1922.
Possibly Agnes McGibbon, at school aged 14 years in 1921, born in Edinburgh and living there with her parents William McGibbon, cabinetmaker, and Agnes his wife.
or
Agnes McGibbon, in 1921 aged 16, born in Fife, a packer for a manufacturing chemist, living in Edinburgh with her parents John McGibbon, coal hewer, and his wife Jane.
* T McGurk (?-?)
Pensioner Messenger, 11 April – 7 May 1921
67. John Bainbridge Mackay (10 March 1895 – 21 February 1981)
Clerk Grade III, 11 August 1921 – 12 July 1922
Born Lasswade, Midlothian, son of William Mackay, iron moulder, and Margaret Bainbridge. Probably served during First World War, but details unknown. Postwar worked as a clerk at James Brown & Co, paper makers, Penicuik, but was unemployed in June 1921 before he joined Census Office. In 1928 was promoted from an unpensionable to a pensionable Clerical Class post in the Post Office. Retired as an Executive Officer, Post Office HQ. Died unmarried, Edinburgh, aged 85.
54. Samuel Ronald McKay (26 February 1874 – 26 August 1944)
Clerk Grade III, 26 January 1921 – 22 July 1922
Born London, son of Samuel Ronald McKay, mason, and Emma Sutherland. Joined Army and rose to rank of Colour Sergeant by 1905. Badly wounded in Battle of Loos while serving as Regimental Sergeant Major in 6th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, 25 September 1915. Married Hannah Lee, ladies’ maid, Edinburgh, 9 July 1917. Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant, Royal Army Service Corps, in 1919. Acting Barrack Warden of Piershill Barracks, Edinburgh, and electrical engineer’s clerk, June 1921, before joining Census Office. Died Edinburgh, aged 70.
21. E McKenzie (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 7 July 1922
39. M M McKenzie (? - ?)
Clerkess, Grade V & IV, 8 August 1921 – 27 October 1923
Initials ‘M M’ in staff list suggest she was one of two women of the right age in 1921:
Mary McIver McKenzie, born Edinburgh, 28 December 1900, daughter of Kenneth McKenzie, coachman, and Mary McLennan; clerkess in Inland Revenue, Edinburgh, June 1921; typist when she married Alexander Brydon, metal worker, 8 July 1942; died Edinburgh, 4 May 1984.
Or
Marion Martin McKenzie, born in Edinburgh, 31 May 1904, daughter of Thomas Mackenzie, sailmaker, and Annie Buist; clerkess, Scottish Board of Health, June 1921; later became secretary, Inland Revenue; died unmarried, Edinburgh, 20 March 1983.
7. Alexander McKinlay (18 May 1881 – 16 November 1955)
Minor Staff Clerk (permanent staff), Registrar General’s Office
Born Greenock, son of Peter Crawford McKinlay, ironmonger, and Jeanie Park. Appointed a clerk in Registrar General’s Office, 1903, rising to Minor Clerk, 1907, one level below the Senior Clerk. Married Eleanor Lee Alexander, Edinburgh, 10 September 1907. As the most senior clerk on the statistical side, he was retained during wartime. Played a key role in the 1921 Census, he and H A Scott acting jointly as superintendents. Promoted to Superintendent of Statistics, 1930. Elected President of Baptist Union of Scotland, 1945. Died Edinburgh, aged 74.
6. Alice Mackinlay or McKinlay (17 February 1897 – 24 June 1973)
Clerkess Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 25 July 1922
Born Edinburgh, daughter of Robert McKinlay, clerk in Exchequer Office. Unemployed civil service clerk, June 1921, before joining Census Office. Married Allan Stuart, civil servant in Estate Duty Office, Edinburgh, 4 April 1923. Died Edinburgh, aged 76.
19. W McInnes (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 29 October 1923
Retained after July 1922.
22. Isabella Gibbon (‘Daisy’) McKinnon or MacKinnon (5 March 1895 - ?)
Clerkess Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 27 October 1923
Born at Davidsons Mains, Edinburgh, daughter of John Cameron Mackinnon, clerk, and Isabella Henderson. Younger sister of Eoin C MacKinnon, clerk in GROS, who died in 1916 (see Register House Roll of Honour). Railway clerkess in Goods Department of Caledonian Railway Co, June 1921, before joining Census Office. After further non-government work she returned as a Temporary Clerkess in Census Office, 19 May 1931 – 31 March 1934. Appointed an ‘established’ woman clerk in Ministry of Labour and National Service, 20 June 1941. Married Alexander Ralley, pharmaceutical chemist of Langholm, in Edinburgh, 26 October 1944. After his death in 1945 she appears to have returned to Edinburgh until circa 1957.
50. C McLaren (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 20 July 1922
30. R McNee (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
32. Jane Margaret Mayer (23 January 1907 - 30 August 1990)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of Walter Chalmers Mayer, tailor and clothier, and Jane Douglas Easton. Joined Census Office after leaving school aged 14. Working as typist at time of her marriage to John Jamieson Lowe, farmer, at Portobello, 30 September 1930. Died Edinburgh, aged 83.
31. Elizabeth Muir Moffat (14 April 1905 – 7 April 1987)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 29 October 1923
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of John Anderson Moffat, ironmonger’s assistant, and Jane Arrol. Joined Census Office on leaving school aged 16 years. Retained after July 1922.
After work outside government she returned as Temporary Clerkess in Census Office, 19 May 1931 – 31 March 1934. Subsequently became civil servant. Died unmarried at Peebles.
4. William John Morrison (c.February 1897 - 6 August 1931)
Clerk Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 28 October 1921; Grade II, 29 October 1921 – 31 March 1924
Born in parish of Barkway, Hertfordshire, son of James Morrison, gardener to Lord Strathnairn at Newsells Park, and Hectorina Christina Small. By 1911 he was working as a government clerk in Edinburgh. Enlisted 9 December 1915, serving as Private 22290 in 7th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders. While attached to the Gordon Highlanders on the Western Front he was reported as wounded, 26 August 1916. Discharged from service as medically unfit, 23 February 1917. Re-enlisted as Private 23641 in the Army Pay Corps, 5 October 1918. Again discharged as medically unfit, 5 April 1919. Unknown postwar employment before he joined the Census Office. Was retained on the staff to read proofs after July 1922. Working as a clerical officer in the Sasines Office at the time of his death in Edinburgh, unmarried, aged 44.
35. I Munro (? - ?)
Card puncher, 22 August 1921 – 21 July 1922)
55. Annie Murray (4 July 1898 - ?)
Clerkess Grade III, 6 July 1921 – 25 July 1922
Born in Galashiels, daughter of Hugh Murray, insurance superintendent, and Jessie Wood. Clerkess with the Servants’ Institution, Edinburgh, but was unemployed in June 1921 before she joined Census Office.
* F Neill
Card puncher, 8 August – 22 November 1921
The only young woman of the right age in the 1921 Census is Florence Neill, a school pupil aged 15 years and 4 months, born in Dublin, who was visiting Edinburgh.
43. E Nelson (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 6 November 1923
Retained after July 1922.
* Robert Ogilvie (4 June 1869 – 3 October 1955)
Clerk Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 5 July 1922
Born Bannockburn, Stirlingshire, son of John Ogilvie, engine driver, and Elizabeth Stevenson. Insurance clerk when he married Agnes Forman in St Vigeans parish, Angus. Living in Leith and working as a superintendent in a fire insurance company, 1911. Became an Engrossing Clerk in Sasine Office by June 1921, and served in Census Office as a temporary ex-service clerk, although details of military service are unknown. Appointed to clerkship in Customs and Excise, 9 August 1923, and worked in the department until retirement. Died in Edinburgh, aged 86.
29. Florence Alice Petrie (16 December 1905 – 13 March 1930)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
Born Edinburgh, daughter of William Petrie, linotype operator, and Elizabeth Mackenzie. Clerkess in a grocer’s business, but was unemployed in June 1921 before she joined Census Office. Working as a secretary when she married William Lourie Hutchison, sheetmetal worker, Edinburgh, 11 March 1929. Died at Royal Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh, 13 March 1930, aged 24.
25. Agnes Maud Philp (25 July 1906 – 27 June 1981)
Card puncher, 12 September 1921 – 21 July 1922
Born Edinburgh, daughter of John Philp, builder, and Mary Jane Chamberlain. After leaving school aged 14 joined Census Office. Working as clerkess at time of her marriage to William Gow Fraser, bank accountant, 26 September 1932. Died at Haddington, East Lothian, 1981, aged 74.
52. Charles Pitcher (c.1868 – after July 1937)
Clerk Grade III, 13 July 1921 – 31 March 1934
Born in Eastbourne, Sussex, son of Henry Pitcher, estate steward. Enlisted in Army 1887, rising through the ranks in Royal Artillery. Married Sarah Jane Genders 2 December 1895. Served in Army Pay Corps, South African War, 1900-1902. Based in Edinburgh when discharged as Staff Company Quartermaster Sergeant on his appointment as Second Lieutenant, 17 January 1916. Served in 4th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. Working as Grade II Clerk in Ministry of Labour, Edinburgh, June 1921. Emigrated to South Africa 1937.
59. John Porteous (13 October 1866 – ?)
Clerk Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 26 July 1922
Born in Stromness, Orkney, son of Peter Porteous, baker, and Margaret Clouston. Law apprentice in Edinburgh in 1891, and law clerk there by 1901. Was a qualified law agent when enlisting, 6 April 1918. Served in Army Pay Corps, rising to be Corporal 20188, until discharged 19 February 1920. Working as clerk in Sasine Office, June 1921, before transferring to Census Office. Returned to Sasine Office. Date and place of death unknown.
20. Wilhelmina (‘Mina’) Murrell Pringle (27 May 1906 – 9 March 1962)
Card puncher, 31 August 1921 – 7 July 1922
Born Edinburgh, daughter of Richard Pringle, insurance cashier, and Mary Scott. Left school aged 15 before joining Census Office. Working as a book keeper when she married (1) William Reid, civil engineer, Edinburgh, 22 October 1936. Divorced 1946, and married (2) James Knox, quantity surveyor, Edinburgh, 1947. Died Edinburgh, 9 March 1962, aged 55.
48. J Purves (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
1. Barbara Forsyth Sangster (1 September 1896 – 20 March 1951)
Clerkess Grade III, 5 July 1921 – 29 October 1923
Born Edinburgh, daughter of Alfred Andrew Sangster, van driver, and Isabella Waugh Jones. Had worked as a clerkess in an Edinburgh carpet warehouse, but was unemployed in June 1921 before joining Census Office. Later worked as cashier. Died unmarried, Edinburgh, 20 March 1951, aged 54.
* Sarah Band Scally (4 February 1891 – 19 March 1962)
Clerkess Grade III, 6 July 1921 – 31 March 1922
Born in Edinburgh, daughter of Charles Henry Scally, surveyor of rates, and Mary Ann Keay. She was an out-of-work clerkess in June 1921. Later worked as a school secretary before retirement. Died unmarried in Edinburgh, aged 70
9. Henry Allan Scott (27 October 1886 – 8 November 1969)
Minor Staff Clerk (permanent staff).
Born Rothes, Moray, son of Jessie Scott, domestic servant, and James Allan, coal merchant. Temporary Boy Copyist, Customs and Excise, 1902-1905. Second Division Clerk, Board of Education, General Post Office and Scotch Education Department, 1905-1906. Appointed to Registrar General’s Office, 23 August 1906. Married Christina Eleanor Thomson, school teacher from Aberlour, Edinburgh, 5 August 1913. Promoted to Minor Clerk circa 1915.
He and Alexander McKinlay acted jointly as superintendents of 1921 Census. Appointed Secretary of General Register Office, March 1938. Died Edinburgh, aged 83.
* Walter Scott (17 September 1883 – 10 June 1946)
Clerk Grade III, 23 August 1920 – 2 June 1922
Born in Glasgow, son of James Scott, Caledonian Railway clerk, and Marion Dickson. Worked as a shipping clerk in Edinburgh, 1901. Enlisted 16 November 1914, serving in Lovat Scouts and later the 10th (Lovat’s Scouts) Battalion, Cameron Highlanders, including overseas service. After the war Scott worked as a clerk in the Ministry of Labour in Glasgow. Married Williamina Scott, nurse at the War Hospital, Bangour, in Glasgow on 14 January 1920. Scott was the first temporary clerk appointed to the Census Office in GROS. Subsequently worked as a clerk in the Education Department, probably of the Scottish Office. Died Edinburgh, aged 62.
3. A Sinclair (? - ?)
Clerkess Grades V and IV, 1 August 1921 – 17 September 1923
Possibly Alice Sinclair, born Edinburgh, 2 October 1899, daughter of William Murray Sinclair, Head Stamper, General Post Office, and Janet Russell; she was a clerkess in R W Forsyth’s, Princes Street, Edinburgh, but was unemployed in June 1921.
40. R Smith (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 11 May 1923; Clerkess Grade IV, 12 May 1923 – 29 October 1923
Retained after July 1922, and promoted to Temporary Clerkess Grade IV, 12 May 1923; assisted with proofreading.
68. George MacLennan Steel MC (1 April 1897 – 19 June 1972) Clerk Grade III, 11 August 1921 – 30 June 1922; Grade II, 1 July 1922 – 15 March 1924
Born Dundee, son of John Steel, grocer and spirit dealer, and Catherine MacLennan. Wartime service; commissioned as Second Lieutenant in Black Watch, October 1916, joining 6th Battalion, 10 December 1916. Promoted to lieutenant. Wounded for second time during Second Batt of the Marne, 28 July 1918. Next month was awarded Military Cross for ‘conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty’, receiving it from the King, 23 November 1918. Commercial student in Edinburgh, June 1921. After initial service in Census Office, he was retained in July 1922, promoted and put in charge of ‘machine work’. Afterwards he moved to London, working as a chartered secretary. Received emergency army commission, October 1939. Married Margaret Scott Steel (d.1958). His railway history, 'Dundee’s Iron Horses' (1974), was published after his death in Norwich, Norfolk, aged 75.
* Robert Stoddart (23 January 1869 – 14 February 1945)
Temporary Clerk Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 1 April 1922
Born Berwick upon Tweed, son of John Stoddart, grocer, and Charlotte Minto. Assisting his father, 1891, before setting up a shop in Greenlaw, Berwickshire in the 1890s. Enlisted in 1900 in Volunteer Active Service Company of King’s Own Scottish Borderers, with rank of lieutenant. Married Margaret Isabella Borthwick at Rhu, Dunbartonshire, 31 March 1901. Served for 9 months in South Africa during Boer War. Thereafter he worked in temporary government posts, including in Ministry of Labour in Edinburgh in June 1921, from where he transferred to the Census Office. In 1923 returned to Greenlaw to run the family business, and served on the local education authority. Died at Greenlaw, aged 76.
65. William Edward James Strachan (3 October 1897 – 22 July 1956)
Clerk Grade III, 30 August 1921 – 5 July 1922
Born in Buckie, Banffshire, son of William Strachan, cooper, and Jane McKenzie. Wartime service as Private 88961, Machine Gun Corps. Discharged with war pension on account of neurasthenia, 22 November 1918. Married Georgina Sim MacKenzie, clerkess, in Edinburgh, 25 January 1922. Appointed a General Assistant on the Geological Survey, in the Scientific and Industrial Department, 9 November 1923. Working in Liverpool when he was divorced, February 1945. Probably died in London aged 58.
45. A Sutherland (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 29 October 1923
Retained after July 1922.
56. Francis Charles Tennant (15 August 1890 – 28 January 1962)
Clerk Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 26 July 1922
Born Edinburgh, son of William Tennant, surgical instrument maker, and Isabella Grant. Wartime service in Lothian and Border Horse, Private 120681. Discharged as physically unfit, and suffering from neurasthenia and dysentery, and pensioned from 26 November 1918. Clerk in Sasine Office, June 1921, transferring from there to Census Office. Various appointments in Ministry of Labour, from 1933 until retirement. Died unmarried, Edinburgh, aged 71.
* M Thomas
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 23 June 1922
61. Arthur Robert Thomson (21 March 1880 – 4 April 1952)
Clerk Grade III, 11 August 1921 – 26 July 1922
Born Weisdale, Shetland, son of William Thomson, miller and agricultural labourer, and Elizabeth Tait, who had moved to Edinburgh by 1891. Wartime service, possibly as Private 22037, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Listed as out-of-work goldminer with Goldentrass Gold Mining Co Ltd, June 1921. Later worked as a clerk. Died unmarried, Bangour Hospital, Broxburn, aged 73.
* May Monteith Walls (26 February 1899 – 11 January 1971)
Clerkess Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 31 March 1922
Born London, daughter of James Monteith Walls, medicial practitioner, and Elizabeth Bertram Paxton. Living with widowed mother in Edinburgh, 1911 and 1921. After leaving Census Office she married Andrew Dick Wood, timber merchant, at Edinburgh, 12 December 1923.
42. H Weir (? -?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
37. Isabella Whyte (? - ?)
Clerkess Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 24 July 1922
A Miss Isabella Whyte was named on 30 June 1921 as one of twelve women appointed to a temporary post in Census Office. She had not yet moved to her stated address on Census Day, 19 June, and no more is known at present.
64. John Willis (28 June 1893 – 29 June 1967)
Clerk Grade III, 11 August 1921 – 5 July 1922
Born Newburgh, Fife, son of John Willis, cashier, and Mary Ann Mitchell. Enlisted 23 September 1914, serving as Private 17270 in Royal Scots, then in Royal Engineers as Corporal 113230. In France and Flanders from 7 September 1915. After being wounded in right forearm was discharged 21 June 1917. Clerk in Ministry of Labour at the time of his marriage to Catherine Blyth Millie, Edinburgh, 26 January 1921. Working as temporary clerk in Appointments Department there, June 1921, before joining Census Office. Later became a credit collector. Died Glasgow, aged 74.
58. Arthur Wilson (c.1884 - ?)
Clerk, 11 August 1921 – 5 July 1922
Born Aldershot, Hampshire, son of Charles Wentworth Wilson, military press correspondent, and his wife Alice. In June 1921 Arthur Wilson was living in Edinburgh with his wife Jeannie; he was out of work, having been a clerk at Headquarters Command, Aldershot.
2. L M Wilson (? - ?)
Clerkess, Grade V & Grade IV, 8 August 1921 – 27 October 1923
62. Frank Adam Wink (4 April 1877 - 1 March 1936)
Clerk Grade III, 15 August 1921 – 30 June 1922, Grade II, 1 July 1922 – 11 May 1923
Born Edinburgh, son of David Wink, messenger in Inland Revenue, and Helen Barber. He had been an actuarial student, and before the war worked as an insurance clerk. Wartime service as Private 62719, Royal Army Medical Corps, including on the Western Front in August 1917. In June 1921 he was out of work, having been an insurance clerk with Scottish Equitable Life Association. After initial period he was retained to work on life tables etc, July 1922. Credited by Dr Dunlop, Registrar General, with calculating the tables presented in 'Scottish Life Tables, 1921' (1925). Married Elizabeth Dudgeon Stein, Edinburgh, 30 April 1929. Died at Currie, Midlothian, aged 58.
* James Winter (19 January 1879 – 10 June 1966)
Clerk Grade III, 4 October – 16 October 1920
Born Edinburgh, son of James Learmont Winter, iron turner, and Jessie Geddes. Married Elizabeth Agnes Macdonald, Edinburgh, 29 December 1899. Volunteer in Queen’s Edinburgh Rifles. Working as a coal depot manager in Edinburgh when he attested for military service, 19 January 1916, and was placed in the Army Reserve. Mobilised 31 August 1918, and served as private S/438875 in Clerks’ Section of Royal Army Service Corps. Volunteered for one further year’s service, 1 March 1919. Rose to Acting Sergeant in RASC, part of Allied units supporting White Russian forces at Novorossiysk on Black Sea. Evacuated to Constantinople, March 1920. Working as a stock-keeper for Nestle in Edinburgh, June 1921, before joining Census Office. Later worked as a commercial traveller. Died Cleland, Lanarkshire, aged 87.
* Helen M Wood (c.1882 – ?)
Clerkess Grade III, 4 July 1921 – 21 July 1922
The ‘Miss N Wood’ who applied for a temporary clerkship appears in the Census of June 1921 as Helen M Wood, aged 39, a single woman working as a printer’s compositor. Born in Edinburgh, daughter of Archibald Wood, book finisher, and Margaret his wife, she was perhaps known as Nellie.
44. O Wood (? - ?)
Card puncher, 8 August 1921 – 21 July 1922
27. J C Young (? - ?)
Card puncher, 5 December 1921 – 21 July 1922
10. James Candlish Young (5 September 1893 – 8 October 1977)
Clerk (permanent staff). Began preliminary work for the Census from July 1920. Later supervised the cardpunchers. See Register House Roll of Honour for his career.
Other Staff
Cleaners
E Burnett, 11 April 1921 – 28 March 1924
M Lyall, 27 May 1922 – 30 November 1923
E McCulloch, 7 January – 6 May 1922
B McInnes, 1 October 1921 – 26 October 1923
E McKenzie, 22 – 28 July 1922
C Nicol, 4 July 1921 – 6 January 1922
Winifred Redpath, 6 August – 30 September 1921
Temporary Porters
John Boyd, 16 May – 1 June 1921
Robert Hunter, 17 May – 1 June 1921
Robert Johnstone, 16 May – 1 June 1921
William McDonald, 16 May – 1 June 1921