Looking for a Pub - any excuse !

[onefortheroad]

Hi folks,

Does anyone remember the Maxwell Arms on Irish Street, Dumfries?

I have a 1940 wedding certificate which gives this as the bride's address, and wonder if the pub is still there or, if not, was it demolished in recent times.

Any information will be great, thanks.

David

[kathgill]

Hi David

Was asking my husband about the Maxwell Arms in Irish Street as he was born and bred in Dumfries.  He says he can remember it and says it was demolished a long time ago. 

Kathleen

[onefortheroad]

Thanks for that, Kathleen.

David

[the droner]

Hi David,

The Maxwell Arms pub in Irish Street Dumfries ceased operating as a pub in the mid 1960's.  It was then demolished possibly in the late 60s or early 70s.  The premises were compulsorily purchased by the council who had plans to widen Irish Street as part of the then plans from traffic management.  Whilst the pub was demolished, the road was has never been widened. Some building has since filled the area vacated by the pub.

How do I know this?  My grandparents ran the pub from the the 1950s until its closure.  The pub was also known as McLean's Bar.  My grandfather was John McLean.

Somewhere, I may have a list of previous publicans.  If you are interested, let me know and I will have a look for you.

Cheers

Stephen

[onefortheroad]

Hi Stephen.

Many thanks for your reply - what a great surprise!

My enquiry regarding the Maxwell Arms relates to my maternal grandmother's brother, Edward Alexander Auston. 
In 1940, Edward Alexander married one Jane johnston Thomson. On their marriage certificate, her residence is given as "The Maxwell Arms, Irish Street, Dumfries".
Her father, Thomas Thomson's profession is given as "Hotel Proprietor".

They settled in Dumfries where Edward Alexander plied his trade as a chiropodist for many years, latterly in English St.

Edward Alexander passed away in 1973 but Jane lasted out until 2002. They were both cremated at Carlisle and their ashes scattered in the garden of remembrance.

I'd love to find out if there are any surviving offspring from the marriage but don't really know where to start with Scottish records.

If you have any record of Thomas Thomson at the Maxwell Arms or especially a photo of the pub, I'd be eternally grateful .

Many thanks indeed for getting in touch Stephen and a warm welcome to Rootschat; the best genealogy forum in the world!

Regards, David.

[the droner]

Hi David,

I have just found the only photo I have of the outside of the pub ( I am amazed - it was in the second box I looked in)  The photo isn't great, but it will give you an idea of what the pub was like.  I will need to get it scanned  (the quickest way is for me to get my son to do it!).  Rest assured, I will get it done and then I will send it to you.

My grandparents (who are in the photo) lived in one of the flats above the pub.  There were two flats, one on the first floor which my grandparents rented to a Mrs Glover, and one on the second floor where my grandparents lived.  The door to the flats was along the pavement, to the right of the pub and the (steep) stairs were stone.  I was only young at the time, but I remember the stairs being cold, dark and generally unwelcoming.  I could describe the inside of the pub if you would like to know about it.

As for searching on line for Scottish relatives, a good site is "Scotland's People" - just Google it and it will take you there.  I have used it a lot.  A good feature is that (for older certificates) you can get an image of it on your computer screen and print it off.

When I get time, I will check my records to see if I can find any reference to the names you mention.  That will take some time though, as I am  not sure exactly in which box the info lies.

All for now,  I will contact you again when I have done the scanning.

Regards


Stephen

[onefortheroad]

Thanks for that Stephen. Let me know when you've got it scanned and I'll send you my email address.

Regards, David.

[the droner]

Hi David,

I got the photo scanned


Stephen

[onefortheroad]

Hi David,

I got the photo scanned


Stephen

That's great Stephen. I'll PM you my email.

Thanks for that, David.