Help with a very old secret letter

[Mindtrope]

I have an old letter 1903, it has been found recently, and may explain some unknown parentage but we can hardly read it. In fragile but good condition, but written in such archaic / florid script we can hardly read. Is there a service we can use?

I can't thank you guys enough, and banana, a brilliant analysis.

Fits in perfectly with the family circumstance. My mother was unaware that she has 8 aunts and uncles, and probably lots of cousins. She may now try to track them down, although no idea where to start.

Banana, what a talent.

No problem, do use the census etc to coroberate, you can use tons of online resources to find out if there were in fact 8 siblings which should then firm up the rest :)

banana, where should I start?

Ancestry.com is good for tracing relatives, id look for Knotts living in holyrood place on the 1901 census, then again on the 1911 one. He mentions 'taking a room' which suggests they were renters and didn't own a home so the land registry may not be much use.

I'm not much good at genealogy!

Sorry, banana, but I disagree with your version of the second letter, I am certain that is 'Mrs Watson' and "so Dear Mrs Watson" and a much less sinister version than you write.....I think the letter writer is writing to a Mrs Watson with whom he is affectionate/ friendly, a confidante certainly, assuring her that no one will find out that she is his source of information.

oldbirdy as mentioned it's just an interpretation, no need tone apologise for having your own :)

I don't think Banana's "interpretation" is intended to be taken seriously!

Full marks for creative writing, though!

Mindtrope, if you start with the birth certificate from Scotland's People, and then use the censuses & street directories, you may be able to get a fair way.

The British Newspaper Archive also has excellent coverage of Scotland, with the Scotsman and Edinburgh Evening News well represented.

Bear in mind, too, that a man born in 1890 is very likely to have served in WWI, so it may be worth searching for his military records on either Ancestry or Find My Past (though the latter site sometimes doesn't work properly on some browsers, so you can waste your subscription).

The National Archives has Royal Navy/Royal Naval Reserve records which can be directly downloaded.

From a library you can access Ancestry for free - or that has been my experience, maybe it depends on the size of the library.

The bit about Blane and Mr Froome...

I read that as "no place like home".

If you look at the "p" on Holyrood Palace or Place, it's he same as on "Blane". Which I think actually reads as place.

Yes it's no place like home.