17/11/2023
‘The Old Fiddler’
Street Musician with his dog in Edinburgh.
I haven’t been able to do much work recently as my health isn’t great. But staying at home and resting has its benefits. I really got into researching genealogy through online archives. I started with a small family tree and today I have over 900 folk in the tree! I have learnt a lot about archives and a little bit about DNA. Here is a picture of Kora who loves looking through the window while I am researching old archives. I have come across some really interesting dog photographs taken in Edinburgh.
Street musician Herbert Parkin and his faithful terrier.
The picture was taken by Francis Chrystal in 1912.
‘Street musician Herbert Parkin poses for a photograph with his sleeping dog and violin. He is wearing a tartan bonnet with feathers in it and a dark coat. He has several rings on his fingers. Behind him a painting of Herbert and his dog is displayed.’
‘Herbert Parkin, otherwise known as 'Herbert the Fiddler' or 'The Old Fiddler', was a well known character in Edinburgh in the early 20th century. Reference is made to him in several press cuttings held in Edinburgh Central Public Library. In these Edinburgh residents recall his proficient fiddle playing, his origins in Brighton and the terrier that was his constant companion.’
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection
