St Marys Roman Catholic Church on Norton Road in Stockton, January 1979 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
St Marys Roman Catholic Church on Norton Road in Stockton, January 1979
Does anyone know of any Farrells who may have had families that lived in Billingham, Norton, Eston, Stockton areas around the turn of century? 1900s names I have are Joseph, John, Robert, Elizabeth, Ann twins Arthur and Rose. Arthur married a Violet Hodgson around 1910. The farrells decended from James Farrell and Ann Quin and settled in Stockton and came from Ireland around 1870s. Any info would be welcome
my name is joy mannion my father michael mannion went to st.marys boys school.also my greatgrandfather michael mannion married at st.marys in 1882 to a margaret gordon.he signed his marriage lines with a x.he had a number of sons john.james.alec.jimmy.edward.gordon. and my grandfather joseph. and a daughter mary ann.
Hi, can anyone help me with some research that I am doing? If you attended St Marys Church or St Marys school you have what I need. I am writing a book about my Mother”s life. She attended the school and Church and was later married in the Church. I would love to hear what it was like going to the school?What were the teachers like, the nuns etc? What was the discipline like? Classrooms? Were they any distictintive smells in the classrooms or hall? What was the school dinners like? How many children were there in each class? Can you remember any of the names of the teachers, Nuns or Priests? What were they like ie Characters? Anything else you can remember would be realy helpful. Many thanks for taking the time to read this message. Look forward to hearing from you. Baz Gascoyne
Hello,
I am holding a newspaper clipping that is about FATHER JULIUS GLIEBE, 60 years in the Priesthood. George Gleibe is also mentioned in the article.
I am not sure about many of the questions you mentioned because the Catholic seminary may be different that you think. I think that The University of the Pacific may have been one and the same. (?)
My father was a minister and was pastoring the evangelical methodist church in Stockton in the year 1966 – 1967. A picture shows up of this guy, (above mentioned).
I am also writing a book on my Mother and her family …….etc.
Are we connnecting? You are on the similar tract of inquisition.
I am looking forward to more dialogue with you.
Hi Baz Your post was a long time ago but I’m only reading it now as I browse on my own journey. I went to St Mary’s and was an altar boy at the Church. The teachers going through the years I went are as follows …
1 Mrs Johnson then Mrs McDermots class I believe. Mrs Reid, Mr Hogan?(not 100%) then Mr Redmond who retired while I was still as the school, I presented him with his gift but I wept like the kid I was. Mrs Elder (who’s class I never attended as I skipped it and went into Mrs English’s class for my final two years for some reason, maybe they though I was bright but alas probably not. Mr English was the Headmaster. I used to visit the school once I’d left and once I sat with Mr English in his office as I’d joined the RAF. He was ex RAF and seemed to enjoy the small conversation particularly when I told him I was an L.A.C. Apparently in his time it was a biggie and he mentioned he’d been one too.
The Church was Father O’Callaghan (he became a Canon) Father Horan who went to Hartlepool and Father O’keene came in as Curate. There was another priest for a while who was bald. I remember him as he had been ill and couldn’t do mass so I was allowed to skip school for a week or so and he and I did the 8.30 mass later alone in the church sometimes with one parishioner maybe two. The Church Hall next door was cleaned by Mrs McCamely, I used to teach her foster son Timothy to read when I was at the school we were good friends so I knew her and her husband well staying at their house in Thornton Grove, Norton sometimes. It was there I saw my first colour Cup Final and Tim and I used to play snooker on the big tables. Timothy died years ago as he had a long term illness from childhood. I hope this helps even though I’m 11 years late.
When was your Mam in the school? For me it was like a big happy household. Strict enough but caring. Mrs. Oultrum, Miss Hastings, Miss Whittingham the PE teacher, Mrs. Hart her sister, a much gentler lady, Mrs. Lawler, Sister Martina, Sister Hilda, Sister Joan, Mrs Banks, Miss Thornton for music, Sister Claude, a brilliant artist. Did you finish writing the book? All the best, Bernadette
Happy days. Remember you from the Co-op Youth Club. Have mentioned you on this site through your friends from Tilery.
I went to Carlisle Memorial school in Portrack then on to St Marys for a short time then to the Hermitage(bottom of Tilery Bank) for the scholarship year. I remember vividly being smacked by Sister Veronica for sliding in the snow on the roof, the playground at St Marys. I think Pat Quinn, whom I remember very well, was also at the Hermitage. We were segregated from the main school to concentrate on the scholarship, it must have worked as I then went on to The Convent in Middlesbrough with Jo Hutchinson, Sheila Humble, Marjorie Thompson and Jean McDonald. I love this site and read it most days, so far away in Perth West Australia.
Yes it is true that Free played at St. Marys youth club as practice sessions. In fact I attended a gig they gave there as a thank you to St Marys after they had become famous. It would have been in the early 70s that this event occured. From my memory the charge was 50p which would date it after decimalisation day in February 1971.
Can anyone confirm that the band Free used to play at St Marys youth club in the late 1960″s or is this just an urban myth?
Just letting Ann George know that St.Mary”s boys school was situated around the corner(past the main girl”s entrance) inCroft street. Still can”t put a face to her mom. I am now 68yrs old and can remember most of the girls I went to school with, but have drawn a blank. Maybe someone reading this could jog my memory for me. I have 2 sisters(both younger than I) and a brother 1yr. older, name of John Quinn. Anyone out there recognose us Quinns.???
To the gals of St. Marys school re; 1952-1956 approx. I am the daughter of ANN GEORGE , she attended St. Marys school. Was the St. Marys boys school across the street from the girls school? I have been trying to locate a Stan Porter from the school at around the same time period that my mom attended St. Marys. Does anyone have any info. I have tried browsing the collection on this site to locate the school but keep coming up empty? Any search suggestions, as I would love to get a picture for my mom
HELLO PATRICIA WATSON. MY NAME IS TRACEY AND I AM ANN GEORGE”S DAUGHTER. ANN GREW UP IN STOCKTON WITH HER FAMILY, SHE HAS THREE SISTERS, MARGARET, JOAN AND DOREEN. HER DAD DIED IN A CAR ACCIDENT WHEN HE WAS IN HIS 40″s. MARGARET STILL LIVES IN ENGLAND, BUT WE HAVE NO CONTACT. ANYONE OUT THERE THAT KNEW ANN GEORGE? SHE WENT TO ST MARY”S FROM 1945-? I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU VIA THIS SITE. WE ARE PLANNING A TRIP SOON.
Ann was brought up in Myrtle Road, Primrose Hill, Stockton. I lived in the same road and used to take the collection envelope for St.Mary’s church to their house, no.20 I think. Ann was a lovely pleasant girl.
Mike, I lost touch with you a few years ago and would love to catch up with you. Picture Stockton have my email address. Regards, Peter
Hello Mike, I am not sure if you are the Mike who used to take my Mother to church at St Bedes – Mrs Mary Cooper, unfortunately she died very suddently and oh how I miss her – I have just come across this site and its is quite wonderful to connect with so many names, I dont think many will remember me though – Marianne Morris – Cooper and now Hill
I too remember Miss Mannion(Theresa). She was my very first teacher when I started school aged 4 & a half, lovely lady. If I remember rightly she then taught us Country Dancing. She wore a beautiful “Scotchie Kilt” and thick grey knee-high socks. A really wonderful teacher and lady.
I became really excited this evening when I was reading the letters about St. Marys (I hadn”t come across this page before) – however, I was recognizing the names of the Priests from the 50s -suddenly I saw the name Dorothy Devine – as Christine said, she was a very nice lady – though when I knew her she was a very young lady who went to the Barrett St. Catholic Club for young people. She had a younger sister and a brother I believe – I used to accompany them to Staithes for weekends – I loved these visits. We lost touch – I left England and my family and myself have been abroad for over 40 years. Happy memories.
jane”s mam, miss devine, was my teacher at st marys. she also taught my children at st peter and st pauls school.. i remember really liking her.. shes a very nice lady… my kids are jennie and richard foster.. i hope she is well.. christine
My maiden name is Mannion, daughter of Bernard Mannion who was a choir member at St Mary”s,and Dorothy Mannion (nee Devine)who taught at St Mary”s.Miss Mannion was Theresa, my aunt who also taught at S Mary”s. Jane Wilson
Just a thank you to Bob McIntosh for info on St Marys Norton Regarding Graveyard. I also had relatives who lived in Billington and were baptised at St Johns I will have a look there to see if I can find anything of interest regards Christine Farrell
In response to Christine Farrell, St Mary”s RC Stockton did have a graveyard but I believe it was emptied and they built the school/schoolyard on it. The school was rebuilt in 1909.
Hello I”m wondering if anybody could help me please? My dad and his sisters all went to St Marys school,and he has asked me to ask if any of you have any pictures,or does anyone remember them? They were called the Johnson”s – my Dad is John , Brenda Barbara, Joanie & Alice were my aunties and Robert my uncle.
I wonder if any of you could help me. I am in the process of writing a book about my Mother”s life, entitled “The Mother I never Knew” She use to attend this Church with her family when she was a child. Her name was Maureen Humble and had threee sisters called, Ann, Thelma and Christine. She later married Tony Crossen and the wedding was at this Church and later she had a daughter called Lyn. If you can remeber anything about the church ie What it looked like inside. Distinctive smells. The name of any priests and what they were like. Names of any Nuns. Any fond or funny stories which may help me in my research would be very helpful. Many thanks Baz Gascoyne
My family came to Norton Stockton Circa 1870 from Longfod Ire. Arthur Farrell Died 1910 at 21 Hallifield St Norton His wife was Alice Leneave they had several child including twins I believe he was buried at St mary”s RC Stockton does this grave yard still exist or where could I find burial records? Could anyone help as many members of my family lived in the area?
My mother Maureen Humble went to St Mary”s School from 1939 – 1950 her sisters Thelma, Ann and Christine also later on. She later married Tony Crossen and had a daughter called Lyn. If you have any photo”s of the school or my Mam and her family I would love to hear from you and to see them.
My mother Maureen Clarke (now Pearce) went to St Mary”s School roughly in 1953 and can remember sister Agnes,sister Mary and sister Veronica. If any one knows my mother and has any photographs I would love to hear from you. She has sisters called Catherine, Marie and a brother Micheal.
I have a class photograph with Maureen Clarke on it she was in the same class as my sister Margaret Monaghan. There is going to be a school re-union on April 11th 2015 at St Patricks Church Hall, Fairfield Road, at 7-30pm. They cannot hold it at the school as it is now apartments. If your mother can go I will bring her a copy of the photo, or send me her address I will send her a copy.
Sheila
My Mother and her sisters were married in this Church. My Mam was married to Tony Crossen and had a daughter called Lynn. I was born at number 7 Wrekenton close I think. My Mam was called Maureen Humble and her sisters were Thelma, Ann and Christine. She also had a brother called John who unfortunately died at the age of 4 I would love to hear from anyone who knew my Mam or her family. Maybe you attended her wedding or lived near her. Many thanks, Baz
Hello I have recently come across a picture of St.Mary”s girls school dated 1950 and can name all of the girls on it (show off) Here goes top row Joan Wilkinson,Valerie Allinson, Joan Davies, Pauline Mulgrew, Josephine Hutchinson,Dorothy McWilliams,Winnie Murphy,Kathleen Kallaghan,Audrey Mulligan,Veronica Noble,Ann Callahan,Kathleen Mullholland,Norma Ferrel Mid row, Margaret Roache,Ann Crinnio,Norah NertneyMaureen Braney,Madeline Scotchbrook,Sheila Humble,Julia Duffy,Maureen Casey,Doreen Alderson,Maureen Urwin,Pauline Jones,Valerie Hutchinson,Jean Scott,Bot row.Veronica Kennedy,Sheila Brannen,Mary Connor,June Farrell,Pat Quinn(me),Glenda Downs,Margery ThompsonKathleen Woodhouse,Mary Riddel,Elizabeth HumblePamela Higgins,Shirley Atkinson Marian Smith..Front seatedBrenda Cowley,Lilliam Madden,Pat Lawler,Olwen Franks,Kathleen Mulgrew and Molly Scott…….Norah Nertney & Myself are still in close contact, so , ANYBODY RECOGNISE THEMSELVES, let me know via this site
Hi Pat! This is Pauline Jones – I think I have the same photograph which helps with everyone’s names! I went to St. Josephs Convent in West Hartlepool after the class in the Hermitage – what a memory! Married in 1963, had 5 children and lived in Scotland all my married life. Sadly my husband Neil died in 2000. I now have 8 grandchildren! I look back on those days and have a good laugh! Amazing to find this web site and read everyone’s news!
Hi there, I cannot seem to find the photo showing Norah Nertney. would it be possible for me to see it please? my Grandmother was called Norah Nertney but was born in 1913 so I’m assuming, this is Norah her niece. I’d like to see it please? Thanks in advance. Claire
Re St. Mary”s Stockton – would anyone know how to access old parish records (from Canada). I am doing family history research into Manion/Mannion family. The name was spelled both ways – my grt grandfather, according to his marriage certificate, (married at St Mary”s 1882) was illiterate -signed with an X. It has been virtually impossible to find anything on this family (apart from my immediate family) even though there were about 8 boys – so there must be some other Mannion/Manion relatives searching – you would think. Any ideas would be helpful.
Hello Catherine, I’m Michael Mannion’s great grandaughter, also his son Joe is my grandfather, and my dad is named after his grandad Michael Mannion. We are a big family, I’m also doing the family tree would love to hear from you.. xxx
Catherine, The LDS website contains the Bishops Transcripts for Stockton including St.Marys Norton back to the late 1700s. Can be a little difficult to find but well worth it in the end. The Picture Stockton team would give you my email if it would be of use to you. Good hunting.
My name is Bernard Crossen my uncle is Tony Crossen. I went to St Bedes from 1964 to 1966 Brother Leander was my form teacher. Lyn is my cousin my dad William was Tony”s eldest brother…. please reply
Harry Thomkinson lived in Victoria Avenue. The house had a very big garden at the back and Harry bred Pigeons and Fantails, also Guinea Pigs. I was given 2 of his fancy Fantails. They had big chests and their heads were stretched over their backs. One was brown/white and the other black/white. When he did his breeding he would do it to bring out new colours in the birds. He was well known throughout the pigeon breeding fraternity. It is said that during the war he also had a pig in this garden and would collect “pig slops”(unwanted food) from neighbours.
A quick update for all no longer in the area – the school buildings are now up for sale having proved too expensive to keep up. On the church – my grandad always told me that the carvings and stained glass on the left hand side when facing the altar were more elaborate and ornate than those on the right because building started on the left, and the money had run out by the time the right came to be completed. you can see this in the carved and plain supports for the butresses. I still live in the town, as does my dad Joe who is mentioned above.
Baz Gascoyne, I am sorry to day that I don”t remember your family unfortunately. However, I am from a large family and one of them might know them so I will ask my Mam and Dad, sisters and brothers and see what I can find. Cheers, Peter
I am trying to find information on my Mam and her family. Her name was Maureen Humble and she was married at St Mary”s as well as attending the school. She had three sisters called Thelma, Ann and Christine. She married a man called Tony Crossen who had a brother called John I think? My Mam and Tony had a daughter called Lyn. Seven years later I was born at 7 Wrekenton place and my Mam later got divorced. If you knew of her or any of the above mentioned I would love to hear from you. Cheers, Baz
Hi Patricia – ah, the Castle&Anchor not Airton Street! The confusion arose as our neighbour was also called Quinn (Dolly Quinn – from Stornaway)who also had a daughter called Margaret!
Hi Bob McIntosh, thanks for your reply, but I didn”t live in Airton street, we lived in the Castle&Anchor st the top of Church rd. My dad was the manager from 1936-1956, when we moved to Norton. but it was good to hear from you and receive confirmation about Stephen Thompkinson, I believe his dad lives in Norton and I think he attends St.Joseph”s church.
Hi, I have memories of Mary Quinn who also lived in the Castle and Anchor – is that the same family – where is Mary now? I went to St Mary’s for a short while before going to St Cuthberts, I remember Sr Basil and then Sr Mary (who was the aunt of my friend Mary) I loved having hot chocolate during Lent after mass each morning, I think it was St Veronica who organised it. I have never tasted hot chocolate like it since. My name was Marianne Morris that changed to cooper and now is Hill – love to hear from anyone who may remember me or may like to get in touch. Please contact Picture Stockton for my email address.
Hi Patricia, my dad who went to St. Mary”s and later taught there and who knew the Tompkinsons confirms your statement about Stephen Tompkinson. I was at St. Mary”s school under Harry Tompkinson and was also taught by his son Joe Tompkinson at St. Bedes. I believe you lived next door to us in Airton Street – is that right?
I attended St.Mary”s school from1945 to 53. I have a brother John who attended St.Mary”s boys school (1yr.older than me, 2 sisters Mary 3yrs. younger and Margaret (Mardi). St Mary”s boys school was situated round the corner in (I think) Croft street. The headmaster there was Mr.Thompkinson (Tonky) who I have been led to believe is the grandfather of Stephen Thompkinson the actor from Ballykissangel and other shows such as Drop the dead donkey and lots of others. (confirmation from anybody)????? I left St.Mary”s in Stockton to attend commercial colledge and went to work at I.C.I. The teachers I remember are Miss Mannion, Mrs. Broomfield, Mrs Thompson, Miss Wright, Miss Hoggart, Mis O”Niel, Miss Swales and Miss Valleley. The head teacher in the infants school was Sr. Basil and upstairs in the “Big Girlses” wa Sr. Veronica. Love to hear from anyone who remembers me??????
I”m sorry I don”t remember a Michel Mcnaughton. Paul, my brother is now in Holland. He has been there for about 10 years. Paul Fergasun is also oversea”s. I myself still live in Stockton near our lady”s school. I have 2 children 25 and 20. My husband Colin used to play for Sunderland FC. He now runs a team for the over 40″s when football gets into the blood you can”t remove it.
To Michael McNaughton – I remember a girl by the name of Veronica Mallan, she had beautiful long wavey auburn hair – this was in the eary 1950″s – I don”t know if this date would be when your Mum attended St Mary”s Michael? When you mentioned about “a playground on the roof” I posted a picture on 7th August 2007 ref:t8995 showing a group of us girls which was taken in this playground, although your Mum is not in this picture. Also, if you do a “search” on this site and put in “St Mary”s School” you will see two pictures of the school (ref:t2157-2158) and you will notice the iron railings and brick pillars around the top of the school – this is the playground area.
Whilst I never attended St Mary”s myself, I have fond memories of my mum telling me of how she attended St Marys School which was attached to the church. She also mentioned that they used to have play times on a playground on the roof! My mums maiden name was veronica Mallan, she then married and was called McNaughton, does anyone remember her, sorry can”t remember when she attended.
To Jane Chivers and Annon. I have not seen Paul Ferguson since my days in Stockton – I left the area in 1971. I did vist their house a couple of times when I was about 10 or 11 but for the life of me I cannot remember what it looked like! I now remember the scouts (and cubs) as 6th Norton. And yes Bernard Sleightholm did have a daughter Bernadette (good looking girl as I recall). I think she is married to Colin Beesley the ex-Sunderland FC player. Colin was in the year above me at St Bede”s
I think Colin only made the subs bench never played in the first team
He played for Sunderland in the win over West Brom in the F.A. Youth Cup-Final.
To Peter Chisholm & Annon. You certainly brought back memories of my youth. I used to “GO OUT” with Paul Sleightholm when I was at school, must have been the ripe old age of about 13 or 14 years, wonder if he remembers me? I was once invited to his house for tea and remember that very steep driveway, or at least it seemed very steep at the time. If I remember correctly Paul used to play Cricket at, I think, Norton Cricket Club, Station Road. I now live in South Africa and am a mother of two boys and Grandma twice over. Lovely memories though !!
There is a baptism register deposited in the Durham archives showing baptisms for 1783 and ending in 1840. I would think it would be just a small chapel before the main church was built. Adam
Bernard Leightholm”s son was called Paul who had a sister called Bernadette and there was a younger sister I can”t recall her name I think it was Elzabeth. Bernard built his own house behind the convent on Norton Road. The scout group connected to St Joseph”s church in Norton was the 6th Norton troup and at one time a Peter Bennett was the scoutmaster assisted by a Mike crossing ,this would be in the late 50″s John Fergusson or Jonty as he was known was the longest serving alter server proberbly in the history of the diocesse, over 70 years I am sure that Fr.Corbett could confirm this together with another stalwart of St Mary,s Roman Catholic church a man called Joe Allinson with devotion to the church for all his life who spent all his waking days since early retirement at the church doing all sorts of tasks sadly passed away nearly 3 years ago at the age of nearly 90 and deeply missed by all who knew him
John Ferguson and Bernard Sleightholm were the senior altar servers when I was an altar boy. John Ferguson was also my scout master at (I think) 2nd Norton at St Joseph”s church. Both their sons (Paul Ferguson and John Sleightholm) were altar boys. Bernard did indeed live in Prospect Place. Their house backed onto St Gerard”s Convent and the annual garden fete used to spill over into their beautiful garden.
Brother Leander, the last De La Salle Head Teacher of St Bede”s died in October,2005 at St Helens, Lancs aged 85 years. After leaving St. Bede”s in 1966 he was Bursar of Hopwood College of Education, Manchester from 1967-78.
In December,1966 the De La Salle Order left St. Bede”s. The last De La Salle Head Teacher was Brother Leander 1962-66. Mr W.D. Cavanagh, a Scotsman from Fife, became Head in January,1967 ,but only stayed 2-3 years before leaving to become Head of St. Leonard”s R.C. Comprehensive School at Durham. St Bede”s and St. Mary”s merged to become Our Lady & St. Bede R.C. Comprehensive School in C1973, with Sister Mary as first Head Teacher.
After the De La Salle brothers left Stockton in late 1966 their House on Bishopton Road, between St Bede”s R.C. Church and the Methodist Chapel was taken over by the St Mary”s nuns, formerly of the Norton Road Convent. By this time St.Mary”s Girls Secondary School – later part of Our Lady & St Bede – had moved in 1963 to Bishopton Road West After the nuns left the house became a hospice for a while at one time. In the sandstone lintel above the front door were carved the words De La Salle. It is possibly still there unseen.The De La Salle Order came to Stockton in around 1930, when the original St Bede”s Boys R.C.Secondary School- now St. Bede”s Primary – was built on Green Lane.
Definitely opened in 1842 (I”m 65 this year having been born in 1942 – 100 years after the Church opened – and baptised and married at St Mary”s). It was originally known as the Catholic Chapel. According to older members of my family there was a Canon Taylorson in the early part of the twentieth century at St. Mary”s. It also served Sacred Heart Church in Portrack for many years but that building is now a community centre. Priests I remember were Fr Cornelius O”Callaghan (later Canon) who died aged 91, I believe, about five years ago (he married myself and my wife) Fr Thomas Dollard (later went to St Augustine”s at Darlington, and has also died Fr Cornelius Horan Fr Vincent McArdle, who did enjoy a drink, usually at the Knights of St Columba Club at 76 Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees Fr Kerrigan, who I believe went to the Cathedral in Newcastle from St Mary”s. A well known altar bo, who has also died within the last ten years was Jony Ferguson and another long=erving altar boy was Bernard Sleightholme, who was also a local bus driver, who I think lived at Prospect Place. The nuns who ran St. Mary”s Girls School lived at the Convent on Norton Road. Sister Mary became Head Teacher of Our Lady and St Bede”s RC Sec School (Bishopton Road West) when the De La Salle Brothers who were in charge of St Bede”s were not allowed to teach girls (so the legend says!). Brother Baptist was head at St. Bede”s and a well-known teacher was Brother Francis who subsequently left the Order and married. I heard that he had beccome Head of a Speical Schoo on the Merseyside area.
Our family were members of the St Mary”s congregation through the 50s, 60s and up to 1970 until we moved to Thornaby. This was during the time of Fr (later Canon) Cornelious O”Callaghan as Parish Priest – he was a great fellow. Our family was so big (10 kids at that time) that we occupied at least one complete pew and that was with one or two of the boys serving as altar boys. Other priests at that time were Fr Dollard and Fr McArdle. Fr McArdle loved to take a drink or two with the men of the parish! Visiting priest from Spain was Fr Rafael who was retired and came over for holidays. He was a great orator and the church used to absolutely packed when he said mass.
St. Mary”s was opened in 1842, I had the great privilidge of being parish priest in 1992 when we celebrated her 150th birthday. Back then the church would have looked different from her current appearance. At that time the belfry had not been added. It is a really lovely church there is pictures of the inside somewhere. These include photos of what it is currently like and what it was like in the early days.
I believe St. Mary”s Roman Catholic Church was opened in 1842 and the school behind it around 1909.
I believe St. Mary”s Roman Catholic Church, Norton Road, Stockton-on- Tees dates back to around 1842. Possible sources fo help may be the diocesan records of the Roman Catholic Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, possibly kept in Newcastle -upon – Tyne, or try the Teesside Archives services,(Middlesbrough) who I believe may hold the parish registers of some local churhes. Good luck with your search.
My grandfather, James Thomas Gibbons was born in Sunderland in 1879. He came to America in 1897. On his naturalization papers, he listed his last known address as Stockton on Tees. I”m pretty sure he was a Catholic and I wondered if St. Mary”s Church on Norton Road was in existence when he lived there. Was there another Catholic church in the area he could have possibly belonged to? Is there a source that could possibly show his Confirmation in a particular Catholic Church? I”m not sure he would have lived in the area when the 1891 census was taken since he left in 1897. Any information source you can furnish that I could look up would be sincerely appreciated.