Burgh of Melrose Archive

• Reference:GB 1097 BM
• Dates of Creation:1881-1975
• Name of Creator:
  Burgh of Melrose
• Language of Material:English
• Physical Description:
  16 items

• Scope and Content

  This archive comprises minute books of Melrose Burgh Town Council, Local Authority and Committees, and the Charles Ormiston Trust and a register of dwellings.

  Items with an alternative reference number are marked with this reference, rather than the new BM reference number.

• Administrative / Biographical History

  Melrose is thought to have been a Burgh of Regality under Melrose Abbey, which was founded in 1136. In 1605 it was mentioned as a Burgh of Barony and in 1609 the status was created anew in favour of John Ramsay, first Viscount Haddington. It became a Burgh of Regality in 1621 in favour of Sir Thomas Hamilton, Earl of Melrose (who changed his title in 1627 to Earl of Haddington). An 1836 government report on Scottish corporations stated that no burgesses, councillors, treasurers or deacons had ever been created for the Burgh of Melrose. In 1895 Melrose became a Police Burgh and from 1930 a Small Burgh. When burghs were abolished in 1975 Melrose became part of Ettrick and Lauderdale district in the Borders Region. In 1996 it became part of the Scottish Borders council area.

  Sources:

  Scottish Burgh & County Heraldry by R. M Urquhart (1973), p. 239.

  Melrose 1826 edited by D. M. Hood and issued by the Melrose Historical Association (1978) pp. 40-41.

  ScotlandsPlaces: www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk

• Arrangement

  BM/1 Town Council Minute Books

  BM/2 Local Authority Minute Books

  BM/3 Committee Minute Books

  BM/4 Charles Ormiston Trust Minute Books

  BM/5 Register of Dwellings

• Access Information

  Open

  Scottish Borders Archives operates within Local Authority, Freedom of Information and Data Protection Legislation, whereby some limitations on access may apply.

• Other Finding Aids

  Digital catalogue on CALM

• Conditions Governing Use

  Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Archive Manager. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational or private use & condition of documents.

• Custodial History

  Transferred from Scottish Borders Council Galashiels Area Office.

• Accruals

  None expected.

• Related Material

  Other items relating to the Burgh of Melrose are located in the archives of the Counties of Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire.