Looking for Arnsheen/Aranshean Terrace, Duke Street, Ayr

[apalmer1662]

I'm hoping that someone will know where in Ayr Duke Street was/is. The 1894 and 1900 Ayr Post Office and Trade Directories have John Duncan, engine driver, residing there but I haven't had any luck searching online maps.

[aghadowey]

Looks like it's gone now but the answer to a query on another site has details-
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Society-and-Culture/People-and-Places/Question103663.html

Or maybe not 

[apalmer1662]

Thanks for the suggestion, aghadowey. Unfortunately the Kilmarnock Duke Street is not the one. The family I'm looking for are in Ayr and Newton on Ayr census, valuation rolls and Post Office directories for Duke Street from 1891 to 1920s. Thanks for the quick reply, though.

[aghadowey]

Yes, I also found a postal directory online (1894) and checked the street section (sometimes will say something like 'Duke St. off High Street' but unfortunately not in that issue). The OP on the other site does seem to be looking for the same Duke St. in Ayr that you want (and not the one in Kilmarnock).

If you don't get an answer to your query I suggest contacting the Carnegie Library in Ayr- they've a reference section as well as a local history one-
http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/libraries/

[apalmer1662]

Thanks aghadowey.

[MonicaL]

Have you followed through on the NLS directories past 1900? See http://www.nls.uk/family-history/directories/post-office/index.cfm?place=Ayrshire

Was there more than one John Duncan living in Duke Street in that time?

For example, I can see a John Duncan showing at 12 Duke Street in 1903-4 here www.archive.org/stream/ayrpostofficegen190304uns#page/226/mode/2up  However, in the 1901 census, this John shows as a Gardeners Labourer, married to an Elizabeth. His son John is showing as a boot finisher.

However, you have a John Duncan showing in Duke Street as an engine driver. Can't be the same John 

Monica

[weeaza]

Duke Street was around the Viewfield Road/Russell Drive area.

Go to http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html , put in the co-ords  234205  622665 and select one of the 1,2500 maps from 1896 onwards. 

Steven

[apalmer1662]

Thanks, Monica. You have the right family. There was one John Duncan in Duke Street, first at 20 Duke Street (1891 census), then at 12 Duke Street (1901 census). The P.O. and Trade Directories seem to refer to 12 Duke Street as 12 Arnsheen Terrace.
John was railway worker for most of his adult life: stoker (1875 marriage register; 1881 census) then engine driver (1891 census; 1899 daughter Jane's marriage register). In 1901 at age 55 he seems to have retired and is listed as Gardener's Labourer (1901 census) then Gardener (1915 and 1920 Valuation Rolls). John is not the first ancestor I've found who retired from labouring to become a gardener.

[MonicaL]

I wish I could find an Ayr map c. the period  you are now looking at (they all seem to stop mid 1860s  from what I have found). Steven's recommendation would be the way to go now I think. Have seen the reference to Viewfield Road too...just hadn't seen a more modern map to link it to.

Aghadowey's suggestion of contacting www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/libraries/ will also help 

Monica