A little bit of Stockton history… In 1928 a family emigrated from Stockton hoping to start a new life in Canada. The head of the family was Bill Hall along with his wife Mary (nee Connor) and their young son Billy. They finished up in a town called Sawyerville in the French speaking province of Quebec.

Billy wasn’t an only child for long as between them Bill and Mary had 11 children. In the 1980s we were told that family members could be found in every province of Canada. Before she left Stockton in 1928 Mary had her photograph taken with two of her sisters. Facing the camera on the left is Nora, Mary is in the centre with Betty sitting down.

The girls never expected to meet again but they did as Mary visited the area many years later in the 1960s. Mary was a great crafter and won many prizes in the local Cook County show.

The years went by and in 1944 young Billy Hall returned to the UK but this time in uniform. He must have cut a dashing figure as a member of the Royal Canadian Airforce. He was determined to do his bit for the old country.

In 1969 Billy, his wife and youngest daughter made a visit to this area. I met them and they all seemed very pleasant. We made several trips to the Billingham Bowl with them as they were very keen on ten pin bowling.

Photos and details courtesy of Martin Birtle.