House fire at 'Maryville' in Barrhill Road Gourock around 1937-1938

[Boomeranger]

I am trying to source any newspaper reports about the fire which destroyed my father and grandparents home around 1937-1938. Possibly early 1938, as my grandfather was not insured and the family always said the shock was what killed him (he died 20 May 1938 in Glasgow). I have visited the two houses that are now on the site, and understand they were created from the shell of the building. Any advice would be appreciated.

[cath151]

Hi ,
There is a report in a Hartlepool paper dated 8th May 1937, it mentions a Mrs Robertson (nd her dog) who had to be rescued from a fire at Maryville, Gournock. If you pm me I could send you the page.

Cathy

[Skoosh]

The Greenock Telegraph online archive should have the story, it's c/o the James Watt Library.

Skoosh.

[Teacakeman]

The Glasgow Herald has a small report on page 11 of the 8th of May 1937 edition:

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19370508&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

[Boomeranger]

Thanks for the link, its a little different to the earlier one, and greatly appreciated. Can you explain how to go about searching such archives? I was told my grandfather (whose house was burned) used to write articles for the Glasgow Herald on musical matters, and if there should be any records of such, I would like to read them.

[Teacakeman]

Hello

I believe the Google news archive has been removed from the Google menu, but it's still accessible.

If you follow this link,
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19140810&b_mode=2&hl=en
you can search via the Google news bar, which is second top, just below the general Google search.
It'll look for a match in all the papers in the archive.

You can also enter specific dates to search, or browse by issue.

You can also see all the other papers in the archive by clicking 'Browse all newspapers' in the top right corner.

Good luck

[Boomeranger]

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a try.

[Skoosh]

Boomeranger,   try this site,

http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/search?q=Watt+Library

Skoosh.

[Teacakeman]

Just found another reference to the fire, in the Gourock Firemaster's report to Gourock Town Council for the month:

http://www.graemekirkwood.co.uk/SFB/Info/GOminutes.htm

There is an extensive report on the fire.