The city of Dumfries (pronounced "Dum FREEZ") is in the shire of Dumfries and Galloway on the shore of Solway Firth in the south west corner of Scotland. The district was once the haunt of the Border Reivers, a group of Scottish clans who warred on each other and, especially on the English across the Border, where they frequently raided, and, in their turn, were often raided by the English.

Most of the land is used for farming, especially the raising of sheep and cattle that dot the lush green hillsides. The main city is Dumfries, which sits on its inlet on the Firth's north coast. It's a friendly place. Many of its buildings are of a warm red stone. It was the home of Robert Burns in his older years and there is a statue of him in the town square.

My husband and I went to Dumfries in search of information about his paternal ancestors, the CARRUTHERS of Holmains. Holmains itself has been long since destroyed, the land lost to the family through a financial collapse, but we hoped to see some of the places that had been home to the Carruthers family for centuries.

While we were there we stayed at the Moreig Hotel, a large, square, red-stone building on the Annan Road. It is a comfortable place run by Mr. and Mrs. Black and their family. The Blacks made us as welcome as though we were kin. We ate lavish breakfasts (included in the room) of eggs, bacon (lovely wide slices), sausages, cereal, fruit, good Scots porridge, and haggis (not nearly as nasty as you would think) served by either Mr. or Mrs. Black. Coming back after a long day of research, we would sit in the hotel pub and have a pint and a chat with Stewart Black, the son. Dinners are overseen by the Blacks' daughter and are delicious. If anyone is travelling to Dumfries, be sure to check out the Moreig -- but make reservations, especially in the summer. It is a very popular place to stay. If you can't get a room, at least stop by for dinner.

There are several excellent resources in Dumfries for researchers. The Dumfries and Galloway Family History Society is an excellent place to start. It's at 9 Glasgow Street, Dumfries. Go down to the river and across the bridge. It's the first turn on your right. The volunteers are very helpful and they have a number of resources to get you started. Their hours are - April to October: Tuesday - Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 1pm; November to March: Tuesday - Friday 11am - 3 pm, Saturday 10am - 1 pm. A US family membership is only $18.00. If you wish to join, the address is The Membership Secretary, Dumfries & Galloway Family History Research Centre, 9 Glasgow Street, Dumfries, Scotland DG2 9AF.

There is also the Dumfries Archive Centre at 33 Burns Street. If you want to see original records, this is the place to visit. The hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 11 - 1 & 2 - 5 and Tuesday evening 6 - 9. Go up and ring the door bell.

The very best source is the Public Library. They have an excellent genealogy and local history section in the back (go through the main part of the library and turn left) and very helpful staff. If you don't understand some of the terminology or you don't see what you need, the staff is very helpful and quite knowledgeable. I cannot find my notation of the address and hours of the Library, but the Family History Society will be glad to help you out.

The official Dumfries Website is at http://www.dumfries-and-galloway.co.uk/index.htm

Photographs taken in the Dumfries area.

Genealogy