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Midlothian | Contents |
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"The parish of Currie lies about 6 miles W of Edinburgh. It includes a tract of country from 5 to 6 miles in every direction, but its greatest extent is from E to W where it advances even to 9 miles in length. It may be considered as classic ground, being situated in the neighbourhood of that little romantic dale that formed the scene of the Gentle Shepherd, the favourite pastoral of the Scotch nation. From its name, (anciently Koria or Coria) it seems to have been one of those districts that still retain its ancient Roman appellation. The name of this parish also has probably given rise to the surname of Corrie or Currie, for anciently it was the practice of men of property to take their surnames from the lands they possessed, of which there are numerous examples in Scotland.
The situation of this parish is very elevated. At Ravelrig, about the middle of it (but by no means the highest point) it is according to a late very accurate measurement, not less than 800ft above the level of the sea. This extreme height, and its vicnity to the range of the Pentland Hills, renders it cold and damp. Rheumatism seems the chief disorder to which its inhabitants are subject."
(From the Statistical Account of Scotland 1791-1799 Vol II)
The parish church has records for birth dating from 1638, for marriages from 1649 and for deaths from 1662. These are held in the General Register Office for Scotland in Edinburgh and copies on microfilm may be comsulted in the Edinburgh Room, Central Library, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh and also in the LDS Family Centres around the world.