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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Wiltshire => Topic started by: artifis on Tuesday 11 February 20 10:22 GMT (UK)

Title: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: artifis on Tuesday 11 February 20 10:22 GMT (UK)
Does anyone know where I might find old photographs of Dean Street in Swindon and specifically the shop that stood on the corner of Dean Street and George Street?

My late father in law, Chandler, used to run this shop up to c1956 and I want to make a representation of it for a diorama for my grandchildren's model railway layout.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: KGarrad on Tuesday 11 February 20 10:36 GMT (UK)
Try contacting Swindon Library - they are very helpful.

I believe they have a RootsChat membership?!
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: youngtug on Tuesday 11 February 20 12:25 GMT (UK)
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=80620
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: artifis on Tuesday 11 February 20 14:47 GMT (UK)
Thanks both, I'll try them.
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: Capetown on Wednesday 12 February 20 12:50 GMT (UK)

By Googling:

bbc Wiltshire local history swindon

Wiltshire - History - Historic Swindon Photos 1 - BBC

- in the Section Photos 2

This is a very old photo of Dean Street - with two large buildings either side - and can see the GWR Sheds - in the background.

Lots of photographs of the Old Town Station etc.
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: janan on Wednesday 12 February 20 14:03 GMT (UK)
If you take a look on Streetview the house on the corner of Dean St and George St still looks like a shop

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.559544,-1.7977906,3a,75y,180h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sN8Wsr7ltXnHDtiFaAF5Kjg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: Capetown on Wednesday 12 February 20 15:27 GMT (UK)
20 Dean Street (Corner) is on Rightmove

SN1 5EN - and has just been sold Subject to Contract - 11 December 2019


Shows photographs of the house from externally and internally.

The back garden has a side entrance - and a lovely old wall running along the street side.


---

1939 - 120 Dean Street - the wife ran the the Shop as a Grocer, her husband worked in the GWR
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: artifis on Wednesday 12 February 20 16:46 GMT (UK)
Hi Capetown, I think the photo which I had seen but not registered it as Dean Street was taken at the far end, well away from the shop, buildings now demolished I think as I can't find them on Google Streetview.

Had a look at the sale details, much changed since father in law lived there, the garden wall is of his era though.  The garage building in the background I think either replaces their outbuilding or is the result of heavy alteration - the outbuilding was the shop's storehouse.  There used to be a sort of conservatory extension at the back of the shop where father in law used to bone the hams and boil them for sale in the shop.  The store and cooking areas probably wouldn't meet current standards.  ::)
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: artifis on Thursday 13 February 20 10:26 GMT (UK)
I think I've traced a photo among the dispersed family collection, just a case of tracking down who has it.

Thanks for everyone's help.
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: toby webb on Saturday 21 March 20 14:44 GMT (UK)
If you should find this collection of photos, I urge you to offer sight of them to the Local collection in Swindon's central library for inclusion of copies into their very extensive local collection.
Try https://www.flickr.com/photos/39771107@N08/    for size. T
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: artifis on Saturday 21 March 20 15:14 GMT (UK)
Good point, unfortunately the Covid-19 crisis has overtaken any further research, the key members of the family whose collections I need to look through are all, like me, firmly in the at risk age group plus one has very bad health issues needing twice daily care people attendance which is a big risk and won't want me adding to that.

Whenever I can again safely visit I will follow it up and certainly copy photos to the Local Collection at Swindon if I find any.
Title: Re: Photographs of Dean Street, Swindon
Post by: toby webb on Saturday 21 March 20 16:22 GMT (UK)
Glad for your response, but sorry to hear of your problems and hope all turns out well. Use of Rootschat must be increasing as compared to my use of supermarkets. The real frustration is not being able to go to record offices etc. I had booked ages ago to go to Cardiff on Monday to vist a big cemetery and photograph a family grave. Now all is cancelled. T