A house in Unthanks Yard in Stockton. It is thought that the railings in the foreground are those of the churchyard of St Thomass in the High Street next to the cenotaph. The bunting around the window and in the foliage is celebrating a royal occasion (perhaps someone could put a date to the event). The formidable lady in the front is thought to be Frances May and the child in the window her grand-daughter Jane May. Photograph and information courtesy of Mr Ray Buck. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
Hi Karen, In the 1851 census Unthanks Yard is called Church Bay, High Street, and William Thomson, Basket maker age 43 from Carlisle is living their with his wife Mary age 42 born Stockton, also son’s Christopher age 15, & William age 13, both boys are Apprentices in the Iron Foundry and were both born in Whitby (according to the census), also with them is a daughter name hard to read but looks like Annie age 7 born Stockton. In the 1861 census the yard has had a change of name to Unthanks Yard presumably called after the occupant of No 18 High Street Mr William Unthank, Joiner and Cabinet maker and probably his property and the landlord. No 18 High Street was next door to the Royal Oak Inn and the yard was between the backs of these premises and the Church Yard. Still in the 1861 census at no 3 Unthanks Yard is William Thomson Basket maker age 50 from Carlisle, wife Mary age 54, and daughter Annie age 18. My own G Grandmother Ada May was born in (No not given on birth cert:) Unthanks Yard in 1858 and my Grandmother Jane May was born their in 1878 and my Father John Henry Laverick was born in No2 Unthanks yard in 1911the family lived there till the yard was demolished in the 1930’s. Chriss Buck.
Hello again, Karen Spink. I find that the William Thompson (my Great-Great Grandfather)was born in Stockton and lived in 3 Unthanks Yard. He was said to be a Basketmaker in the 1881, aged 69 and a widower. I think he was married to a Catherine Barker. Certainly not very well off.
Hi Jeff I havent got access to wedding,birth or death certificates, but there is a mystery surroundig Henriettas father I think I assumed her father was William Thompson but in the 1871 census she is listed as William “s grand daughter. She is only 8 years old. Is Henriettas mother listed on the wedding certificate? and if so who was she? William Thompson is now listed as coming from Carlisle,he was born in 1812 and married to Mary from Stockton. They would appear to employ 3 people which means Ive got to review my Ideas about Unthanks yard as being an impoverished area, particularly as most of the residents seem to be trades people. Also in 1871 Unthanks yard would appear to be next to no 15 High Street for the purposes of the census but in 1861 it is next to 29 High Street. If youve got any more details you could email me karen.spink@btconnect.com
Hi Jeff Smith In the 1881 census William Thompson was 69, he was a basket maker and has Stockton as his place of birth. I havent got any further than that.Let me know if you have any other info. Unthank seems to be quite a common place name some suggestions Ive found are “misfortune ” “no thanks” and place taken over by squatters. Their neighbours are the almshouses. My maiden name is Ball, and my mothers maiden name was Moore. Both my Mum and Dad lived in Tilery perhaps you knew them. Regards Karen
Karen Spink – Re: Henrietta Thompsom who became Ferguson upon marrying my Great-Grandfather, Henry William; on their wedding certificate Henrietta omits the name and profession of her father and yet they are living with him just after the marriage! Could be that we are distant relatives!!
Hi Ray My great grandfather, James Taylor, lived at No 3 Unthanks yard with Henrietta and William he was 6 years old on the 1881 census and the rest of his family were at no 1. Im still investigating but we think that they were related . We think Hannah taylor”s(at no1 )maiden name was Thompson, if this is right then James was staying at his grandfathers.Does this make William Thompson my great-great-great-grandfather ?
Ray Buck – I can”t tell you much about Unthanks Yard except that my Great-Great Grandfather, William Thompson, with his daughter Henrietta Ferguson and her husband, Henry W. Ferguson (my great-grandparents) lived at number 3 in 1881. The Fergusons had recently been married.
Hi Bob Yes Brian is still strutting his stuff and rattling his sticks
Unthank Yard , according to early street map by Heavyside , the yard in question is situated on Thistle-Green, Bishop Street. Could this be the empty area next to the “Riverside” (Three-Tuns), which shows a shadow outline of a house building oppisite the present Police Station? Regards to Brian Padgett, ex I.C.I is he still “Gaffer” of the Stockton English Folk Dance Society?
Hello Bob Harbron I wonder if you have any information on Unthanks Yard in Stockton I posted this photograph a while back but have had no response, speaking to a friend Brian Padgett over the weekend he thought that you might have something in the your Heritage archives