Ask Us

Is there anything you would like to know about the Borough of Stockton, its history, its industries, its buildings or its people? Just add a comment with your query to this page and we will endeavour to answer it. If we don’t know the answer it may well be that some of our site visitors do…

NOTE – Please use the ‘Reply‘ option when answering a query.

2,521 thoughts on “Ask Us”

  1. When trying to use your link “pictures@stockton.gov.uk”, it is unresposive. Is there an alternative electronic way of submitting a topic?

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    • Hi macroeman, I’m sorry to hear that you are having problems with the link. If you try typing the address directly into the ‘to’ box on your email that has the information/photo that you want to submit that should hopefully work. If you are still having problems, give the Reference Library a call on 01642 528079 and we shall do our best to help you.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah

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  2. My Nanna Evelyn Shaw (became Fitzpatrick in 1921) was born at 2,Wade Street in Stockton in 1899.
    Her parents were Thomas William and Mary.
    Does anyone know where Wade Street is or was please?

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    • Hi Dawn,

      Wade Street used to be located just off Garbutt Street (which is just off Norton Road, near the Buffs Social Club). There is now a Wade Avenue in that area.

      I have sent a copy of a map which was published in 1899 which shows where Wade Street used to be.

      I hope that his helps.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah
      Stockton Reference Library

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        • Hi there Hannah,
          My father Fred Pybus was born 5 Aug 1934 at 38 Joseph Street, Portrack
          Mother = Harriet Pybus also born at 38 Joseph street dob 22 Sep 1913
          Father = Laurence/Lawrence Riley dob 11 May 1913, lived at 22 The Square Stockton (1921 census)
          They never married.
          She married Herbert Rowntree.
          Laurence married Dorothy Suckling in 1942.
          I have an address for him in 1939, boarder @ 22 Balder road, norton & was a cinema commissionaire.
          When my dad Fred in 1955/6 was told his dad was Laurence, he went to where he’d been told lived & his mother Bridget nee Clarke said that he no longer lived there but he had twin boys, presumably with Dorothy & they looked just like Fred. Scotland was mentioned, but Fred wasn’t convinced it was true.

          I know Laurence died in 1983 in Cleveland.

          Can you suggest how I can. Gather more information about Laurence & Dorothy please?
          Especially any children of the marriage.
          I don’t know where to start.
          I come in most Tuesday mornings with my mum & brother, so would appreciate some help if possible please.

          Kind Regards,

          Dawn

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          • Hi Dawn,

            Looking on the birth index I can find three potential children of Laurence/Lawrence and Dorothy: Dennis (birth registered in the September quarter of 1942), Valerie (birth registered in the March quarter of 1945) and Sheila (birth registered in the June quarter of 1947). These births were all registered in the district of Durham South Eastern, which covers this area. I did not find any record of twins but if they were born in Scotland then I presume that their records would be on the ScotlandsPeople record which I don’t have access to.

            I would have suggested looking through the electoral registers to see if Laurence moved but we only have them for the Stockton area and they are only searchable by address and not by name. As Laurence died in this area, it might be worth looking through the Evening Gazette to see if there is a death notice which may name his children. His death was registered in the April-May-June quarter of 1983 so at the most there would be three months to search.

            We hold the Evening Gazette on microfilm in the Reference Library. You do not need to make an appointment but we recommend that you do so as there are times when the room that houses the microfilm readers is unavailable. You can make an appointment by calling us on 01642 528079 or emailing us at reference.library@stockton.gov.uk. You can also pop in and make an appointment when you are next in if that would be better.

            If Laurence and Dorothy has moved to Scotland and had children there, then the records of their birth should be on the ScotlandsPeople website. There is a charge for using the website. I know that if you search the birth index for England and Wales you can search only using the child’s surname and mother’s maiden name but I don’t know if this is the case for ScotlandsPeople.

            I hope that this information is of some help. Please do not hesitate to get in contact or pop in to see us in the Reference Library if we can be of further assistance.

            Kind regards,
            Hannah
            Stockton Reference Library

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            • Thank you for such a detailed response Hannah!
              I may call in late tomorrow afternoon as I know it’s a late night. It would be great to find a living relative of Laurence to ask what he was like & also if there are any pictures of him.
              My dad never got to meet him, but we may be able to meet a half sibling on his behalf.
              Thank you again and also to the other responses I received!

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          • In a search on ScotlandsPeople with Riley & ( mothers maiden name ) Clarke.

            Riley, Peter Walter ( b1890 ) Ref 316 / 43 : RD Name Panbride

            Riley Joshua O’Bethel ( b1886 ) Ref 411 / 210 : RD Name Burntisland

            Riley, John Clarke ( b1888 ) Ref 411 / 196 : RD Name Burntisland

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          • Data looks a bit confusing Dawn. Can I suggest that you take an certificates you have for the individuals you know of. Wedding are best, but even birth and deaths can provide more clues than you may think possible. Have you tried the 1939 ‘census’ or the telephone records (192 I believe)

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    • Hi

      Do you have any pictures and or some History / building of the Coop Welfare Club on Bishopton Road West, now called the Elm Tree. I believe it was erected in the 50’s / 60’s and used to comprise a Football pitch and Tennis Courts.

      Your help is much appreciated

      Anthony

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    • It ran between Garbutt Street toward, but not fully through to Major Street. It was parallel to Catholic Street (more well known)

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    • Wade St. only just makes it on to the very bottom left corner of this image.
      If you find Garbutt St on this image (bottom middle of this image) with Stockton Grammer School on the corner, Wade St is the fourth street on the right, it’s a cul-de-sac.

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  3. Hi, I’ve been looking for info on Robert Henry March as he is my biological Grandfather.
    Derek Wade has kindly been helping me, and I know has also been in contact with yourselves.
    I would just love to see a photo of him. My mum was only 2 or 3 when she was adopted by another man ( my grandad now) so doesn’t have any memories of him. My beautiful Gran ( his ex wife) has sadly passed away now. Any help would be amazing please 🙏
    Kind regards
    Donna

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  5. I am trying to help someone fine and information about Robert March born 1916 in Stockton (apparently). Parents were Fred and Emma and he had lots of siblings. I have been unable to help-can you please?

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    • Hi Derek,

      Robert H. March’s birth was registered in the June quarter of 1916 in the district of Stockton. His mother’s maiden name is given as Knowles.

      On the 1921 census, Robert Henry March is living at 15 Henry Street with his parents, Fred C. and Emma March, and siblings Fred March and Annie May.

      His father Fred C. gives his age as 60 years and one month and says that he was born in Kings Lynn. His occupation is given as ‘engineers general machinist, plaing, slotting, milling etc.’ at Head Wrightson.

      Emma was born in Stockton and is 41 years old. Robert’s age is given as 5 years and three months. His siblings, Fred and Annie May are 15 years and 5 months, and 2 years and three months respectively.

      On the 1911 census, the document states that Fred and Emma had been married for ten years at the time that census was taken. I was unable to find a record of marriage that matched this but I did find a marriage between an Emma Knowles and a Frederick C. March in the December quarter of 1913 in the district of Stockton.

      The family were as follows on the 1911 census (at 16 James Street):

      • Frederick Charles March, age 50, a general machinist (engineering), born in Tottenham, London (not Kings Lynn, Norfolk as is given in the 1921 census).
      • Emma March, age 33, married for ten years, five children born alive, four still living, born in Stockton.
      • Mary Ann (daughter), age 8, born in Stockton.
      • Elizabeth Emma (daughter), age 6, born in Stockton.
      • Fred (son), age 5, born in Stockton.
      • Jessie (daughter), age 1 month, born in Stockton.

      I believe that the child who died was Ada, whose birth was registered in the March quarter of 1908 and her death was registered in the June quarter of the same year.

      I hope that this information is of some help to your research.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah
      Stockton Reference Library

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  6. Hi, I am urgently looking to make contact with my great aunt. Her maiden name is Pauline Patton, she has an older sister called Yvonne (my grandmother) who married Tom Baker. Pauline had a daughter named Rachel and a son who I think was named Paul. I would be so grateful for any information.

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    • Josephine, according to registration records, Pauline Patton was born in 1946, and married in 1971 to Anthony K. Murray. You are correct, she had two childen, Rachel Anne Murray (b.1971), and Paul Anthony Murray (b.1972). Hope that the above information helps you in your search.

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      • Sorry to try this route, but the regular is having password probs again. It might be in Josephine’s interest to try the telephone number search sites such as 192.com info-record.com, Good luck, Derek Wade

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  7. Hello, I’m looking for some information on the metal yard signs around town for a public art archiving project called North East Statues. Specifically, I’m trying to find out who made them and when so I can get in touch. There’s a great one at Green Dragon, and I’ve also seen them at Hambletonian, Blue Post, Ship Inn (am I missing any?).

    Any information about these signs would be greatly welcomed!

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  8. On behalf of sister Rosemary (née Smith) do you have contact details for Neil Stockdale photographer? They were friends in the 70s and she would love to hear from/about him. Thanks.

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    • There was a Neil Stockdale lived in Craister St Tilery, his mother was Amy Stockdale. He would be now in his early 70’s, hope this helps.

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  9. Hi I am looking for information on the Richardson family I know they lived in spring street and Northolt? Street but can’t find any more information.
    Thanks in advance

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    • Hello Kenneth,

      we found the following information on Ancestry from the 1939 Register: George Richardson b. 10 June 1872, retired lamp lighter, lived at 100 Spring Street with wife Sarah (age 62) and daughter Clarice (age 40). Best wishes

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        • Hi Kenneth,

          Do you have any further information about your great grandparents such as their birth dates (even an approximation), where they were born, children etc please?

          Thanks,
          Hannah
          Stockton Reference Library

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  10. Has anyone out there any information or photos of Gilbert Street School South Shields? My Father and his brothers would have attended there in about 1910.
    Thank you.

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  11. Hi Wanting any information on who lived at 29 Atkinson Street Stockton on Tees in 1947. My Mum was born there but it was not the home of my Nanna who lived in Airton Street.

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    • Hi Carolyn,

      Unfortunately we don’t have an electoral register for 1947 but we do hold one for 1945 and 1948/9.

      In 1945, Vincent and Elsie Delaney are registered at 29 Atkinson Street and in 1948/9, Stanley C. and Ivy P. Robinson are registered there.

      I hope that this helps.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah
      Stockton Reference Library

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      • Thank You Hannah this is helpful information. I think Vincent and Elsie Delaney were family. So this information answers my question.

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  12. I am looking for information and photos of my Great Grandparent Mr & Mrs Loughran who lived at number 9 Airton Street Stockton-on-Tees

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    • Hi Carolyn,
      Thanks for the query, could you give me a little more information please. Do you have the first names of your great grandparents? Also the time period when they lived at 9 Airton Street if known would be great.

      Thank you

      Clare

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      • Hi My Great Grandparents were Hugh and Margaret Loughran. They lived at 9 Airton Street around 1947. I think they had 4 children Margaret Patricia William and my Nanna who is Winifred. A relative Vincent & Elsie Delaney lived in a nearby street 29 Atkinson Street. Not sure how they are related.

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        • Hi Carolyn, I see from Ancestry that you have already done extensive research on your family.
          Here are a couple of bits of information that you might like to add.
          Hugh Loughran and Margaret Moore were married at Stockton in 1908, registered in the 1st quarter.
          They had the following children according to the register of births –
          Margaret M Loughran b.1911, Vincent H Loughran b.1913, Winifred Loughran b.1916, and Patricia born in 1920.
          The 1939 Survey shows Margaret Loughran, then a widow, living at 9 Airton Street. She was living with her daughter Winifred who had an occupation as “cake maker”. Hope this is of use.

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            • Carolyn, I have checked the index of deaths, and the death of Vincent H Loughran was registered at Stockton in June 1915, so he died in infancy, and that may explain why he is not well known in the family.

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  13. Can any one remember about 1980 down at Dickens DIY Portrack when folks got the chance to drive the C5 Sinclair vehicle, it took place over a weekend, my two young son’s drove the C5, I wondered if any photo’s were taken from that day.
    All the best.
    Derek.

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    • Thinking back i think Sinclair C4 would have been a little later than i stated at Dicken’s DIY Portrack, i do seem to remember a lot of folks went to see the C5 demonstration, our 2 young son’s Mark & Darren Casey got the chance to drive the C5, i remember thinking at the time that it would never be safe driving it on the highway.
      All the best.
      Derek.

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  14. I am trying to find out if Gladys Alward (Inn of the sixth happiness) visited Norton and Billingham South Modern circa 1958/9. I would love to know if there is any photographic evidence, I have found out that a plaque was created at old Mill Lane School Stockton but long since gone.

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    • Hello Jan,
      I used to work at Stockton Odeon as a projectionist 1955 to 1962 I moved to London and was manager of a theatre , We had the Royal premier of The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, and met the cast, towards the end of the movie I saw a lady siting in the upstairs area and asked if she was OK, she said my name is Gladys Allwood and I do not like this part of the movie because there was never a ending love story. What a great movie. I love it and have the DVD

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    • I attended Billingham South and I can remember the visit from Gladys Aylward. I don’t have any pictures but perhaps you can check with the Billingham Press or Evening Gazette archives as I am sure her visit would have attracted press coverage

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  15. I an trying to find details of a hotel on the high street in 1901 which my great aunt appears on the census for that year. Unfortunately, I can’t make out the name but only that the address is 106 high street

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    • Hi Terence,

      Looking on the 1901 census for 106 High Street, Stockton, I can see a Jane Bergh, Laura Porter, Laura Scott and a Priscilla Fellows at 102 High Street which was the Exchange Hotel. I can’t see any entries for 103 – 106 High Street.

      I hope that this helps with your research.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah
      Stockton Reference Library

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    • Hello Terence

      106 High Street (Tees House) was occupied by A & G Taylor photographers and Stewarts & Co clothiers.
      101 Temporary Hotel ran by Mrs H Dobson
      102 Mrs J Bergh innkeeper
      110 R Carter innkeeper and

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  16. Hi. I am trying to find out about Haverton Hill in the late 19th/early 20th century. My 3rd great grand uncle William Thompson is record as living at the Halfway House in the village of Haverton Hill in 1891 and 1901. It is stated that this is in the ‘village proper’. It appears he is the head of the household and lived there with his family but on both occasions visitors/lodgers are listed (one of whom became my great grandfather.) In 1891 the house next door is listed as Beaconsfield House. William was buried in Haverton Hill cemetery in 1918. Can anyone help with more information/photos? Thanks.

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    • I have a large number of photos of Haverton that you can have, there are four locations as follows:-

      https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ajpj0BgkXQUQfFJWpqme8NUpRN8?e=TbBFFe (Haverton History)

      https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ajpj0BgkXQUQgxTM_LSkHxAOgcLJ?e=0F2cRH (Haverton Pubs)

      https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ajpj0BgkXQUQgniK4ky3-ymo7iTS?e=9e8MhP (Haverton Schools)

      https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ajpj0BgkXQUQo3qeSMRik3u0OxAc?e=lefSQL (Maps)

      Haverton History contains all of the photos I have.

      Haverton Pubs contains the pubs and clubs.

      Haverton Schools has some text files with names of some of the class members.

      Maps is an assortment of maps covering Billingham and Haverton from early 20th century to the 1950s.

      All of these images are available to anybody who wishes to download them, some appear in more than one category.

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      • Thank you. Fascinating. Got a bit of a surprise to find my mum Joyce Bailey (then Joyce Stone) on the Girls Netball 2 photo – she is the teacher. She taught at Haverton Hill school in the early 1950s. I remember her taking about Miss Yule and Mr Beresford. I also recognise Lol Peacock.

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      • Hi , would love to see any photos of Haverton Hill school 1961-1966 infants and junior school, I attended infants and juniors at this time, I left in 1966 as we left the area, I remember Mr Taylor was the headmaster and Mrs Atkinson was my first teacher in infants school, the rest of my siblings also attended Haverton Hill school years before me, 1953-1966, would make my day to see any photos of any of my siblings or me. Many Thanks.

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        • You can view or download any of my images from the addresses in my reply to Jane Harvey.

          I also have an interactive school photo album of Billingham and Haverton Schools in the 1950s, this shows the schools, classes and names of some of the people in the images, this is a fairly large download and can only be used on Windows computers, this is available to anybody who wishes to download it.

          You may find your siblings amongst the many faces in the images.

          This is the download address for the album.

          https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ajpj0BgkXQUQg0bhlStehMnSyRNo?e=OZLXoE

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  17. Hi requesting information regarding Oliver’s corner shop in 12 Francis Thornaby.
    A photograph also would be fantastic.
    This request is for Barbara Goodall nee Oliver who now lives in Australia

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  18. Hi I wonder if anyone can help I’d been trying to find a death certificate for my grandmother Isabella Thirkill, to find out that she married again to ? Michael Lynsky.
    The thing is she died in St Ann’s in Portrack, might have been the workhouse, is there anyway I can find out if she was in workhouse & for how long.
    Thanks Pat

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    • Hi Pat,

      Looking at the marriage index, I have found a marriage between an Isabella Thirkill and a James Owens in the September quarter of 1914. I have also found a marriage between an Isabella Owens and a Michael Lynsky in the March quarter of 1934.

      On the 1939 Register, I have found an entry for an Isabella Lynsky, who was born 23 October 1885. I have also found an entry on the death index for an Isabella Lynsky, in the December quarter of 1944 (age 59, district Durham South Eastern, Volume 10a, page 77).

      On 9 November 1944, a death notice for Isabella was published in the Evening Gazette. It reads:

      ‘On November 7th, Isabella, (Bella), beloved wife of Michael Lynsky (nee Owens) of Brunswick Street. Internment on Saturday, cortege leaving her daughter’s residence, 20 Waterford Road, Norton at 2.30pm, for Durham-Road Cemetery. Friends kindly invited.’

      According to the workhouses.org.uk website, Stockton Workhouse was renamed Stockton Public Assistance Institution after 1930. With regards, to workhouse records I believe that Durham County Records Office may hold some but I am unsure as to whether these cover the years after 1930. They can be contacted at record.office@durham.gov.uk or on 03000 267619.

      I hope that this information is of some help to your research.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah, Stockton Reference Library

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      • Thank you Hannah, I was so pleased with the information you gave me, especially the notice in the evening gazette. The funeral went from my mother’s house which I had no idea. I remember Michael Lynsky, but as Lynch & never knew until now that he was my step grandfather, it’s just in the last several days I knew his full name, I think he died in the sixties but know nothing about him except he was a lovely man & he was Irish.
        Is there anyway one can find out if someone changed there religion, my mum always said she changed from C of E to Catholic & I always thought it was because of Lynch, but I found out her Dad was Catholic !!!
        Thank you so much for the information you gave me I was so grateful. Thank you Pat

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        • Hi Pat,

          Thank you for your lovely message, I am glad to hear that the information that we sent was of some use to you.

          With regards to finding out about if someone changed their religion I don’t think that there would be a specific record to register the change.

          Kind regards,
          Hannah

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      • Not sure if it helps or not. In 1909 an Aunt (yes she was) died of measles in the Portrack Workhouse. The death Cert obtained from Stockton Reg is clear on this. I think the infection was rampant and the Workhouse Hospital was a saviour in Portrack.

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  19. My mam Sylvia Ferguson.. was born 1941 her father Frank Ferguson owned a public house in Yarm is there history for that .. her mam was called Evelyn Ferguson..

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    • Hi Sylvia,

      I have found Frank (born 14 March 1907) and Evelyn Ferguson (nee Henderson, later Hart, born 15 February 1911) on the 1939 Register living at 26 Catholic Street. Looking at the marriage index, I have found that they were married in the June quarter of 1930 in the district of Stockton.

      According to the electoral registers, Frank remained there until 1954. Unfortunately that is where our search came to a stop as we do not hold any trade directories for Yarm after 1939, and the electoral registers that we hold do not cover Yarm until the 1970s. Do you know which pub Frank owned?

      I believe that North Yorkshire County Records Office may hold the electoral registers for Yarm before the 1970s. They may be worth checking to find out which pub Frank owned and how long was he there for.

      I hope that this information is of some interest to you.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah, Stockton Reference Library

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  20. My mam Sylvia Ferguson born 1941 in Catholic Street Stockton.. also she went to Bailey Street School .. I’ve looked for school pictures of her it keeps going to 1962 .. I would like to know if there were school pictures between 1950 to 52 .. also is there pictures of Catholic Street, Stockton.. I’ve seen the names of streets. Garbutt Street, Finkle Street and Silver Street .. my mam has now got dementia I would love to know if there is pictures of them so I can show her thank you …

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  22. On 11th May 1877 (Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough) My g.g.grandfather, John BELL, at that time farming in Ingleby Arncliffe, was witness in a case against William Baxter, landlord of the North Riding Hotel, Bishopton Lane, Stockton who was charged with permitting drunkenness in his house. It would seem my ancestor was much the worse for some beers and brandies, missed the night train home and lost a few pounds from his pocket! Can anyone identify this hotel, does it still exist and are there any pictures of it? I can’t find any mention of it online.
    John Bell was born in Great Smeaton in 1817 and died in Stockton Hospital in November 1883. He was said to be “of Eaglescliffe” at the time but had died from injuries sustained at Worsall Grange Farm.

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    • Dianne – I’ve never heard of this hotel – but you may mean ‘North Eastern’ rather than ‘Riding’ It has been there for a very long time and still exists – being named after a local train line. For a while it changed the name to the ‘Mulberry’ but only a few years later, reverted back to the North Eastern. Stockton Station is not far away. It is on the corner where the High St meets Bishopton Lane.

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      • Hi Mandy. Thank you very much for your kind response. I have re-read the article and it definitely says “North Riding Hotel” so it’s undoubtedly a mistake on the part of the journalist. The article also mentions “Bainbridge’s Eating House” which was on “the opposite side of Bishopton Lane” to the hotel. He was on his way to collect £3 that Wm Baxter had owed him for 6 months but it seems, thanks to the perils of drink, he lost a lot more than that! The article also mentions Baxter’s son-in-law Mr Godley, in case anyone else is researching these names. John Bell missed the 9.40 train to Ingleby so ended up staying in Stockton overnight, much the worse for wear. All in all, it sounds as if John knew Stockton very well and your suggestion that it’s the North Eastern is very likely. Thank you. I will see what else I can find out.

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        • I went to Stockton ref library today (5th September) and you are right so I apologise. There are no known photographs of it. I asked for a list of old closed pubs and licensed premises, so I can’t really add anything to what you said. It must have been opposite where the ‘Argos’ store was in Bishopton Lane.

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          • That’s so nice of you, Mandy! What a kind thing to do for me. I am fortunate to have found the newspaper article which tells me a little about my forefather, John BELL. I have lots of links to the Stockton area so will post some more bits and pieces over the coming weeks. Hopefully they will also be of interest to others. Thanks once again. Diane

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    • Hi Diane,
      Have you tried the Trade Directories available in Stockton Reference Library. Some are available on line, but I have not checked for you. I only have a copy of Wards 1928-29 and the Hotel is not listed (and presumably it did not exist or had been renamed).
      Good luck

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      • Hi Derek. Thank you very much for your kind reply. I will have a look online to see what is available. How I would love to spend a few days in the Reference Library in person but sadly it’s a long, long way away. Thanks once again.

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    • Hi Diane,

      Looking through our pubs file, it appears that the North Riding Arms was only trading from the 1870s up until 1894.

      I have found William Baxter listed there in an 1879 trades directory, with a William Stobbart there by 1881. By 1887, it is listed as being at No. 4 & 5 Bishopton Lane.

      Looking at the 1881 census, William Stobart is listed as a hotel keeper and potter at 10 North Street (which was just off Bishopton Lane). I presume that the hotel was perhaps on the corner of North Street and Bishopton Lane. Although we don’t hold a map that shows the location of the pub, I can send you one which shows where North Street is.

      I hope that this information is of some interest.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah
      Stockton Reference Library

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      • Hi Hannah! That’s really kind of you to check that for me. So there was a North Riding Arms p.h. after all? As I mentioned to Mandy, who also kindly wrote, it seems there was an eating house called “Bainbridge’s” on the opposite side of the road, so maybe these two establishments were on opposite corners of Bishopton Lane where it joins North Street? I had looked for Wm Baxter in the 1881 Census without success so it would fit that he had moved on by then. Many thanks! Diane

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  23. Hi received a death certificate for my great grandfather John Stirling and its down that when he died he resided at 12 Cambridge Street Portrack Stockton-on-Tees April 1941 but I’ve searched but getting no results.

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    • 1939 Census shows John living with his wife [ Mary ( maiden name Lee ) ] living at 12 Cambridge Street. They were married in 1920 [ District Stockton : County Durham : Volume 10A : Page number 163 ].

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    • According to the 1921 Census , John [ 27 yrs ] was born in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He worked as a furnace labourer in the South Durham Steelworks [ Stockton on Tees ]. Living with his wife Mary [ 23yr 8mth ] and daughter Ivy [ 1yr 4mth ].

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      • Thankyou Michael,there was no work for him in Scotland so he walked all the way to Stockton-on-Tees to find work..in the last years of his life he worked at the sulphuric acid plant and in April 1941 he fell 80 feet from a staging and fractured his skull and sadly died but can’t find any newspaper clippings about his accident and struggling to find where he’s burried

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        • John was buried on the 16th April 1941 at Durham Road Cemetery Stockton. Stockton Borough Council Bereavement Services [ his burial ref. no. 20178011607 ] – At a cost, map location and burial details sent by post on request – phone 01642 527341.

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        • Jane, I have checked an on-line search facility for burials in Stockton, operated by Stockton on Tees Council. John Stirling was buried on 16 April 1941 in the large cemetery on Durham Road, Stockton.
          If you use the on-line facility you can enquire and find the number and location of his grave. Good Luck.

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      • Hi There, My grandmother was born in Lanarkshire, Cambuslang, my grandfather left military, with illness I believe, like yourself, my Scottish grandmother and her family left Cambuslang, married my grandfather, after the military came to Stockton on Tees and lived until they passed away.

        Iron works, and Stanley Street If I recall from memory were demolished, my nans name was Mary Taylor, work was poor because my nan Mary Taylor was one of five who left Scotland, im sure there was some war around 1930s , they left for Huddersfield but Nan & Grandad came to Stockon, must worked at the iron works, its census and other works I have, be interesting to hear about those difficult times, when many left Scotland, my great grandfather was a single parent suddenly, be interesting topic Michael

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      • Hi, It doesn’t appear on any thing that I can find in “Portrack”. But it can be traced through a long winded follow on in the 1928 Wards Directory on Norton Road. Looking at a contemporary map it could have been on the trading estate that exists now at the west end of Maratime Road somewhere just before the roundabout with Norton Road. That are was I believe classed as Portrack back in my youth. The area is the end of the High St where it joins Norton Road and Maratime Rd. St Mary’s Church is just to the east.

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  24. Could you please advise what happened to Providence Terrace as I am attempting to chase down the old R C Roninsons undertakers

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  25. Hello I was wondering if anyone could provide me with information and a photo of Thornaby TOC H building. My Grandmother was heavily involved with Thornaby Toc H and often took me when I was an infant to the place, I think it was in OLD Thornaby.

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  26. My grandparents (Doris and Ernest Grimes) used to have a grocers at 4 Northcote Street.
    Are there any pictures from the 1950s of it please?

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  27. I lived with my parents in Thornaby-On-Tees until we migrated to Australia in 1963. We used to live in 22 Guisborough Road Thornaby-On-Tees. When looking at present maps, it appears that this street no longer exists as when searching the internet it never shows up. Could you please let me know if this road still exists as I can’t locate it or has it been renamed? Any information would be most appreciated.

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    • Hi Chris,

      I believe that Guisborough Road must have been demolished to make way for the Mandale Park housing estate which began around about the mid 2000s. The road appears in the last electoral roll that we have in hard copy, which is 2001-02.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah, Stockton Reference Library

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      • I found a map showing Guisborough Road as being off Diamond Road, almost opposite Danby Grove, with the same road on a later map renamed as Orkney Way (extended from existing Orkney Way??) with what looks like fairly newly built houses.

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    • Hi,
      I have a 2002 A_Z map of Stockton & Middlesbrough dated 2002. Guisborough Road is shown about 25 m from Lanehouse Road running between Diamond Road and Pickering Road. I have just double checked. If you use Bing and it’s map punch in Guisborough Road, Thornaby on Tees, Stockton on Tees and with luck you will find that most of it still exists (at least until Bing mapping last took the pictures).

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    • Janice Adams – I don’t know whether you mean the old baths (which didn’t have a separate diving pool) or the ‘Splash’ baths, opposite the library. The old pool was 3ft at the shallow end, and 6ft at the deep end! A younger person may know.

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  29. I thought it was just me not finding photos , I’m not very good on the internet. I was also looking for a photo of Norton school, taken about early 1960’s, I added some names of people I remembered & couldn’t find it again. Do they remove them. Pat

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  30. Hello I’ve been trying to located Derek Wade 2 school pictures he put up
    Even he can not located them
    He said I could ask for his email so he can send them I’ve cut and pasted the conversation
    He said to ask Laura

    It’s 2 pictures of st James school

    Hey Derek for some reason I’m still unable to find them ; sorry to be a pain

    Hi Jacqueline,
    I agree. I have checked and I can not find my 2 photos re St James in the schools section (or anywhere else) dated around 1910. All I can think for you to do is for you to contact Laura at Stockton Pictures and explain the problem. The pics may still be in a file awaiting checking? Anyway, I am happy for her to give you my e mail address. This avoids both our address’ being posted. If you contact me I can then send you an e mail with them attached,

    Derek Wade

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    • Hello

      I have a film of Billingham in 1963, it is a large download but if you wish I can take snaphots of parts of the film and load them into my Onedrive and you can download them from there, I can load the whole film if you wish but it will take a long time to download.

      Another option is for me to extract the Billingham Show section into a shorter film and upload that.

      There are lots of images of Billingham Show in the film including the famous flower tent as well as childrens fancy dress and suchlike.

      I can be contacted here. billinghamlad@gmail.com

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  32. Hello, I am currently undertaking my dissertation research as a Geography student at UCL and have decided to explore the redevelopment of Stockton’s High Street and specifically the levels of involvement/engagement amongst the older population with regards to the planned changes and how these will impact them. Therefore I would love to hear people’s opinions of the proposed changes and how this contrasts to the high street in the past. As well as this if people could point me towards any photographs showing the High Street pre-Castlegate that would be much appreciated!

    If you would be willing to be interviewed for 20-30 minutes either in person or via video call to be included in my research project please email the Picture Stockton Team: pictures@stockton.gov.uk and they will forward on my email address.

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  33. I would like to know if anyone has pictures of my grandads shops which were demolished on Portrack his name was Johnny Jones he also had one on Hume Street the one on Portrack was a bicycle shop thanks

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