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.

2,628 thoughts on “Ask Us”

  1. I am trying to get some basic info on one of your ‘boys’ born and bred in Stockton-on-Tees…approx. 1881 😲, who made it to West Australia, joined our army in 1916, got sent to France, was POW… sent back to WA, promptly disappeared from our radar at the least. Our group is trying to document all the World War One soldiers who joined up in WA. William Lyth was his name and April 1881 may have been his birthdate. Mother Martha in 1916 was in Burnham Market… all we have is his service record. Any help appreciated! Thanks!

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    • Hi William,
      According to William’s Prisoner of War record that I found on Find My Past, William was born 10 April 1881 in Stockton-on-Tees. I believe his parents were John (a shoemaker according to the 1881 census) and Martha (nee Harvey). They were married in the September quarter of 1879 in the district of Stockton.

      I have found an entry for the death of a William Lyth on Australia’s Death Index which was registered in 1967 in Perth, Western Australia. The entry says that this William was born around 1881 and his mother’s name is given as Martha.

      If you would like a copy of the records that we have found please email Stockton Reference Library at reference.library@stockton.gov.uk.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah

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    • William, I suggest that you check out a William Lyth who was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery, Nedlands City, Western Australia, on 15 July 1967, aged 86. His Plot Reference is Anglican – Zw- 0447.

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  3. Hello I’m wondering if anyone could help me. My Great Grand father Edward Lewis was born 1872 and also my Grandfather David Henry Lewis was born at 11 Hill St East Portrack Lane Stockton-on-Tees In 1904 lived there till 1933. Would anyone have any ideas on where he would have gone to school in that area?
    Any help would be appreciated

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    • Hi, I am writing a report which details the high mast lighting towers at Thornaby Depot (and the high voltage power installation). I note that you have some photographs of the old depot round house and main shed. Would it be possible for me to use one of your photos in this report? I will reference your website within the report. Also, if you have any other photographs of the site when you went up the high mast light, would it be possible for me to have a look at them also? Many thanks.

      Andy Hughes.

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    • Judith, Robert Charles Hindmarsh (1895-1964) married Elizabeth Alice Lewis (1900-1946) in 1921 at Stockton. Their children were Ronald (b.1922) and Dennis (b.1926). The family appears in the 1939 Survey living in Kings Terrace.
      Robert’s employment was as a sheet metal worker for a chemical company, which I presume must have been I.C.I. Ronald is recorded as being a fitter’s apprentice at a chemical company. Hope this helps.

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  5. I am looking for some information in relation to a Benjamin and Florence Thompson who had a pub tenancy in Stockton (I suspect late 1920’s to late 1930’s), where they lived in Stockton etc. Benjamin’s mother, Bertha Peacock managed the Stockton Arms in the late 1890’s possibly early 1900’s and she lived at Smithfield, latterly married to Christopher Peacock, who originated from Redmire in North Yorks. I cant get any furthe than the 1938/9 register and I know that Benjamin and Florence finished their days in Redcar. I know the info is very sketchy and there are Thompson realives in Norton (Imperial Avenue). Other relatives are Cyril Ian and Thelma Smailes (Thornaby), Florence Smailes, Ernest Thompson (butcher, Middleton St George), Tony and Pat Bunker (Redcar), my grandfather and grandmother, Robert and Molly Thompson (Fairfield). Maybe this will jog soneone’s memory?

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    • Julian, apologies if this is duplicating information that you already have.
      Bertha Thompson appears as a publican in the 1891 Census, running the Wellington Hotel in Smithfield, Stockton. Her husband John had died at the Hotel on 16 May 1889. Amongst the many workers lodging at the Wellington Hotel was a Christopher Peacock. In the first quarter of 1890, Peacock and Bertha Thompson were married at Sunderland. They both appear in the 1901 Census living in William Street, Stockton where she is listed as managing the Stockton Arms. Benjamin is still at home at that time. In 1904 Benjamin married Florence Dennison and they started a family. After several years in Stockton they moved to Darlington where Benjamin is a boilersmith for the North Eastern Railway Company. They were still at Darlington in 1913, when their son Robert was born.
      I have been unable to locate them until the 1939 Survey when they are in Redcar. Are you sure they were managing a pub in Stockton? Personally I cannot see somebody with a responsible trade as a boilersmith needing to run a pub in addition to his normal job.

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  6. Morning, I have noticed that you stamp across all of the photos you show so I am assuming that it’s to stop people copying them. Do you sell copies of the photos you display?

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  7. Hello Bruce, thanks for the reply. No saddelry that I know of. Ìt was mainly the pub that was of interest.
    Cheers
    Anthony

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  9. Many thanks Cliff, I was told by a relative that an ancestor once owned the pub, but thought it was a wind up. Nice piece of history, one again, thankyou
    Anthony

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  10. Hello, does anybody have any information about the origin of the name ‘Green’ which seems to be quite common in the naming of places and things in the Hartburn area of Stockton please? For example we have Greens Beck …, Greens Lane etc .
    Who was ‘Green’ .? A local farmer perhaps ?
    Thanks in advance for any help.

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    • Local farmer is , I believe, correct. On the “Ancient Maps” on line site you can access the 1857 map Hartburn area. On it, Oxbridge Lane goes west over the bridge, passes an Oxbridge Cottage (demolished in the 1970’s I vaguely recall and new houses built on-next to the Lane). It then hits the T junction. Close to the junction and SE was a Green’s House and the road was (you guessed) Green’s Lane. There are earlier maps on the site that might be worth rummaging through-all free, unless you want a print.

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    • Anthony, the Picture Stockton website contains an oblique photo of Ayres Inn, go to https://picturestocktonarchive.com/2002/08/07/yarm-town-hall-c1910/
      Ayres Inn is the first building on the left of the photograph.
      John Ayres became innkeeper in the late 1890s, its proper name was the Cross Keys Inn (not to be confused with the inn of the same name at nearby Low Leven). The old premises have not been lost to development, as Yarm High Street is a Conservation Area. You can see how the premises look today using Google Earth’s “Street View”. The only difference is that the venue is now called “The Keys”.

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    • Hello Anthony,

      Did your relatives have a saddlery business in Yarm?.

      I have a photo of the shop and its owner, it looks to be from the Victorian period.

      I moved to Yarm in 1976 and there was still a saddlers in the town at that time, I don’t think it was still called Ayres but I don’t know for sure.

      If you are interested I can send the photo to Picture Stockton or load it up to Onedrive for you to download.

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      • Bruce, yes I think you are correct. The 1901 Census return for Yarm described John Ayres occupation as Saddler and Innkeeper. Cliff

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        • Hello Cliff

          Many thanks for that information, I thought it may be the same family, I will send it to Picture Stockton next week, I already have a posting ready on another subject.

          You may be able to help me, I have a photo of a funeral director and joinery business that is captioned as being in Stockton, it is dated 1911 and shows the celebrations of George V coronation day, under the front window is a blackboard saying that the illuminations were installed by local person, the illuminations consist of about 5 light bulbs along the bottom of the window and possibly a few more bulbs on a wall plaque.

          The building is very old stone and tile and could be a converted cottage, I can load to my Onedrive account if you wish to view it before I post it.

          The name of the firm is Albert E Scott, I believe the E stands for Ernest, could you do a bit of research for me as I would like to post it if it is local.

          Bruce

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          • Hi Bruce, there were quite a few Albert Ernest Scott’s in the 1911 Census, but the one that that sounds most like your man was the 23 year old living at 151 Grey Street, North Shields. His occupation was recorded as “builder and undertaker”.
            I looked up 151 Grey Street using Google Earth’s Street View, and it must have been the family home and not his place of work. But it looks as if he had no connection, then or subsequently, with Stockton.

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            • Hi Cliff

              That answers my question exactly, there is an out of hours address on the shop front giving 151 Grey Street as the contact address, I didn’t think the building could have been in Stockton, North Shields is a more likely place, I was there a couple of years ago and took photos of similar buildings in the area of the quayside.

              Many thanks, I will relegate the photo to the interesting but not usable folder.

              Bruce

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  12. Commercial Hotel/ Tavern, Norton Road, Stockton. My great, great grandfather was the Licensed Victualler in the Commercial in the 1881. Census.
    It closed I think about 1995. The building is now a house. Does anyone have any photographs of the Commercial when it was a Hotel/Tavern.

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    • Derek – Regards the Commercial hotel/tavern… over a period of a loooong time, this property was variously called Commercial hotel, commercial Inn and of course, Tavern…. Some even think it was the ‘Zion’ chapel at one time! My dad worked over the road at John Nicholson’s grocery warehouse until about 1965. They had a ‘sweet’ warehouse next door and staff would sometimes use the commercial for a ‘liquid lunch’ I do have a photo but it is ‘copy righted’ by the ref library. If you contact them, they’ll probably send you a copy. Cheers – Mandy Wood

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      • Hi Mandy
        Thank you for your reply. I do have a copy of the Commercial image which I picked up a few years ago with the copy write logo on it. Thanks for your interesting info. It was a pub that I never visited when open. I have some information from ancestry regarding my great grandfather. Not sure when he ran the pub, just that he was there in 1881 . He actually died the same year as the census 1881, he was 30. Death linked to alcohol.
        Hopefully someone might just turn up another photo.
        Thanks again
        Derek

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        • Hi again Derek – Thanks for your kind comments. I’ve tried again to get a photo of ‘the Commercial.’ No luck. But I DO know is was not previously the ‘Zion’ chapel – but it was next to it. After lockdown you may have some luck if you go in person to the ref. library down Church Rd. Sorry to hear about your ancestor drinking so much – but I don’t think people realised in those days how drinking too much alcohol harm the liver. No NHS in those days either.

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          • I’m 58 now and the first pub I ever drank in in Stockton as a seventeen year old illegally of course was the Commercial myself and three friends would have a couple of sneaky pints and keep our heads down shame it was list to Stockton with many other good pubs

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            • Hi Steven
              As stated earlier it was a pub I never frequented. I agree with you we have lost many pubs around Stockton over the years. The Commercial is now privately owned by a family who run the tyre service next door. I had two tyres replaced earlier this year and mentioned about the pub and told them of my great great grandfather running it in 1860’s. The guy in question was very interested and ask for more info. I have sent him an image of when it was the Commercial Tavern & a copy of the 1861 census when my relative ran it. Very interesting. Derek

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  13. Do you have any images of the Adelphi cafe which I believe was adjacent to the Parish Church in the 1950s please.

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  14. My comment is a request for help about ancestors from that suburb of Stockton (!), Hartlepool.

    My parents and all 4 grandparents were from Hartlepool. In the course of family history research I discovered that my maternal grandfather, Frederick Young, b 17th May 1897 had many siblings, who I never knew about as a child. I’d love to hear from any descendants of them. Frederick, known as ‘Pop’ was married to Margaret, nee Wilson. Fred’s parents were Sarah Elizabeth Beasley b1863 and David William Young Sr., an engineer machinist, b 1859, married 1883. Pop was a caretaker at, I think, St Aidan’s, and lived in Stockton Road.

    I do have some details, but I don’t want to mention any living people. Their children, (Fred and his siblings) all long gone, were :

    i. Jane Young. Jane was born in 1886 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    ii. James William Young. James William was born on 22 October 1887 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. He died in 1950 in Gateshead, County Durham, England. He married Mary Isabel Aitken on 7 August 1911 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    iii. George Henry Young. George Henry was born on 6 March 1890 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. He died in 1959. He married Annie McMorris in September 1911 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    iv. Margaret Young. Margaret was born in 1892 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    v. David Myers Young. David Myers was born in December 1895 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. He died in June 1896 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    vi. Frederick Young Sr. Frederick was born on 17 May 1897 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. He died in June 1983 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. He married Margaret Ellen Wilson in June 1920 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    vii. Lancelot Young. Lancelot was born in September 1899 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. He died in March 1900 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    viii. Bertie Young. Bertie was born on 23 March 1901 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England8. He died on 16 December 1914 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England, in The Bombardment.

    ix. Albert Edward Young. Albert Edward was born in 1902 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. He married Vera Gallagher in June 1930 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    x. Sarah Elizabeth Young. Sarah Elizabeth was born in 1904 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England.

    xi. Eliza Gray Young. Eliza Gray was born in March 1907 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. She died in December 1908.

    xii. David William Young Jr. David William was born on 19 November 1911 in Hartlepool, County Durham, England. He died on 10 February 1983. He married Maisie E Barty in September 1939 in Eastry, Kent, England.

    I’d love to hear from any cousins.

    Martin

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  15. Hello – I’ve been trying to find some more information about my great grandfather Albert Victor Robinson. He is listed as being a school master in 1924 on his sons birth certificate, the home address being Romney Street, and still listed as a school master when his son marries in 1945. His son is Herbert Robinson.

    I’m very intrigued by Arthur – the rest of his family all worked in the heavy industry side of Stockton and Middlesbrough – I’d love to find out where he taught and how he ended up becoming a teacher.

    Many thanks
    Hazel from South Wales

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    • Hi Hazel. Was he living/working in Southend in the 1940’s? If he was, I have found some information for you. If he wasn’t, my apologies, have traced the wrong one .

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      • Hi Allison – we don’t have much information about him but there is a family rumour that there is a connection in Southend-on-sea so you might have found something 🤞

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        • If you have access to find my past, there are details of the schools but unable to copy yet. Just about to start work so will try and type it up tomorrow or at the weekend. This is the only bit I could actually copy and paste. First name(s) Albert Victor
          Last name Robinson
          Sex Male
          Residence Southend-On-Sea, Essex
          Country England & Wales
          First position year 1923
          Registration year 1936
          Entry type 0
          Record set Teachers’ Registration Council Registers 1914-1948

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          • Hiya Allison, thanks for your prompt reply. Appreciate you taking the time. I don’t have access to find my past at the moment, would love to one day, I’m sure it would be very useful.
            If you do get time to have a look and let me know that would be absolutely great. No rush. Just when you have time.
            It’s been a real voyage of discovery with my family tree and I’m really enjoying meeting different people along the way 😊

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            • TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL
              Date of registration – October 1936
              Register number: 92733
              Professional address: Westborough High School, Southend On Sea
              Attainments: Board of Education Certificate
              Recognised as a Teacher of Handicraft by the Board of Education
              Fellow of the College of Handicraft (F.Coll.H)
              Training in teaching: Erith Training College
              Experience:
              Teacher of handicraft at Middlesbrough Junior Instruction Centre April-July 1923
              Head Teacher Middlesbrough Junior Instruction Centre 1923-1938
              Craft Teacher – Middlesbrough 1938-1943
              Craft Master at Westborough High School, Southend 1943-?? (no date)

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            • Hi Hazel. I have just transcribed the information for you and sent it. Just waiting for moderators to approve then will be on its way to you. Good luck in your search. Kind regards. Allison

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    • Hi Hazel. Still trying to do a bit more detective work on this for you 🙂 but just need to check a few details. You call him Albert Victor but then further down you call him Arthur? What is Herberts full date of birth and mothers name? Might have found Herbert in 1939 register but need full date of birth to check I have found correct one. If it is him, he was at boarding school so need mothers name to track her and victor at the same time. Kind regards. Allison

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      • 😊 Thank you Allison!
        It’s Albert Victor Robinson 1898-1980
        Herbert is 17th Sept 1924. – Herbert ended up living in Australia. His mother is Margaret Ellen Yallop B. 1898.
        I haven’t as yet been able to find them on the 1939 census.
        Thanks in anticipation 😀

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        • Here’s the latest:
          1939 register
          Albert V Robinson 25/09/1897 Male School Master schedule 352
          Margaret Robinson 12/04/1898 Female Unpaid Domestic duties
          Also lists :
          Clive Robinson 26/11/1932 At school
          all listed at 218 Acklam Road South, Middlesbrough, Middlesbrough C.B./ Yorkshire (North Riding)
          Then:
          Herbert Robinson 17/09/1924 Male At School schedule 55 schedule sub number 115
          27 Prince of wales Terrace, Scarborough, Scarborough M.B., Yorkshire (North Riding)
          He is listed with loads of other boys of similar age and all listed as ‘at school’ so looks like a boarding school or possibly accommodation for a nearby school.
          PS. birth month for Albert could be a typo but date and year correct from the actual register.
          Kind regards. Allison

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          • Oh my word! Thank you Allison. I shall do some more digging with the info you have found! Brilliant! Looks like Herbert had a brother! We didn’t know that at all!
            I’ve found lots of great info about AV Robinson in the newspapers from the teaching information you found 😊

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            • Forgot to say that I did check birth records for Clive, to make sure not just a relative, but the surname matches Margaret so definitely her son and brother to Herbert. Glad I was useful. Let me know if you need any more leads and I will see what I can do.

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            • Possibly more. Found a marriage for Clive Robinson 1954 in Southend to Irene F Brunton.
              Can’t guarantee the same person but dates match

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  16. Hi everyone

    I wonder if anyone can help, opposite to The Mile House pub in Stockton on Tees, are 2 houses: 243 and 245 Durham Road. To the left of 243, is the old opening to 241 Durham Road. I believe it used to be a bungalow but was demolished by a man (John Mongan) who had inherited (I believe) the property from Doris Gertrude Moore, who passed on in Jan 1996. It was demolished and the plan to build on it never materialised.

    Does anyone know of this old property? And/or, does anyone have any pictures of how the old 241 Durham Road looked?

    Thanks

    Henry

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  19. I have a drawing of the old Catholic Chapel in Playhouse Yard (from an unpublished history). Do you know where this yard was, I’ve not been able to find it on any maps. Many thanks!

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    • Using the name search facility on Old Maps on line, there appear to be only two such places as far back as 1850. One in Sleaford, Lincoln and the other in the City of London. Not sure if this helps but….

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        • Hello again, I should have asked my wife, who is a retired Councillor before making my earlier reply. She tells me that the Playhouse yard name originated from gaming such as throwing horse shoes and other games of that time – by way of gambling. This was apparently illegal.

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    • Hi Bob, In a book called Town House Stockton-on-Tees by Tom Sowler there is a map and on this map it shows where the Roman Catholic Chapel was. We know from other sources that it was located in Playhouse Yard, which according to the map, must be the area in front of The Wasps Nest Pub, around the corner from the Green Dragon Yard. From looking at the map I would say the Chapel stood right where the entrance is to the car park for the Finkle & Green.

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      • Hi Anne, thanks for the information, that narrows the location right down. I’ve ordered a copy of the book you mention so I should get to see the map too!

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  21. Does anyone have any pictures or know the history of 3 Whittle’s Yard, Garbutt Street around 1900-1920? I am looking into my family history and my grandmother, Barbara Jones, lived there. One of her brother’s, Frank Jones, died on 19 April 1917 aged 15 when the SS Sowwell was sunk in the North Atlantic by U35. SS Sowell was built in West Hartlepool.

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    • Clive, I have had a look at the census records for 1891 and 1901 and the only yard in Garbutt Street was Ayres Yard, which I think was at the back of a public house. Ayres Yard just had one cottage in it, so Whittles Yard must have been larger if there were at least 3 dwellings in it.

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      • Clive, as you posted your enquiry on Picture Stockton, I assumed that the Garbutt Street that you were interested in was the one in Stockton. But when I looked up Frank Jones on the Commonwealth War Graves website, their data says that he was the son of Frederick and Louisa Jones of 3 Whittles Yard, Garbutt Street, MIDDLESBROUGH. So I have been looking in the wrong town!
        I will let you know if I can find them in Middlesbrough.

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        • Hi seems a bit late but I also have been looking for Whittles Yard it lies in Middlesbrough that is where my grandad was born in 1902 it lies between Feversham St. and Goddard St. on the 1893 OSM of Middlesbrough
          Sorry this is late but hope it helps

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  26. Hello, My ancestors ( ONeils ) were from Stockton, Can anyone tell me if Acklam Street Portrack and Tibbersley Farm Billingham are still around please ? I’m trying to find if her Husband,Cornelius O’Neil ever got married again – they had lots of children and her death certificate says she died of malnutrition & exhaustion. Thank you x

    NORTHERN DAILY MAIL. MONDAY. MAY 84. 1909. DISTRICT NEWS. BILLINGHAM. A verdict of death from heart failure was returned at an inquest held on Saturdav night at Tibbersley Farm. Billingham on the body of a married women named Margaret’oNeil, aged 48 years, of No.5 Acklam Street Portrack Stockton Deceased was employed on the farm potato planting. On Saturday morning she was seized with illness, and was removed in a cart to the house, where she died before medical aid arrived.

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    • Julie, neither Acklam Street nor Tibbersley Farm are still standing, having been overtaken by more recent developments. But they can easily be found on old maps, if you want their locations please let me know.
      As for Cornelius O’Neil, there is no sign of him formally marrying again after his wife died in 1909. I guess you have found him in the 1911 Census in Lumley Street (not far from Acklam Street) living with 6 of his children? He was aged 50 then, and I suspect that his children looked after him as he approached old age.

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    • Tibbersley Farm was swallowed up by the sprawling ICI site. Surprisingly Tibbersley and Billingham Grange Farm buildings both survived the early phases of construction. Probably not the rural image of the farm you were after, but they can both be seen, surrounded by the chemical works, on this photo:

      https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW032227

      (if you register for free, you can see the pins that locate items and you can zoom in.)

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    • Andrew, here is a link to a map of Stockton published in 1947. At the bottom of the map you will see Preston Park. Follow the old A19 road, north from the park towards Stockton. You will come across three properties situated on the western side of the road, Potatoe Hall, Melrose House and then Melrose Terrace. The middle one was the home of Mr Crowther.
      https://maps.nls.uk/view/100941551

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      • Andrew

        Hodgeson Crowther was my grandfather and his son, my father, was John Hodgeson Crowther and, yes, they ran a dairy from Melrose House having come up to Stockton on a horse and trap from Bradford. They subsequently moved to Smithy House Farm, Great Smeaton, which was a mixed farm where I spent the first three or four years of my life. My father sold out to his brother Ron and bought a newsagent on Mandale Road, Thornaby.

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  29. Can anyone help me find where Cleveland Terrace was in Thornaby, around 1900?
    I’m particularly interested, too, if anyone has any information, or even photos, on a confectioners & tobacconists shop there, run by a John T Fox.
    Thanks so much for any help.

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    • Kaye, Cleveland Terrace, Thornaby can be found in the 1881 Census, it is in Enumeration District 3. It lay in the triangle formed by Thornaby Railway Station to the North, Mandale Road to the west and the Bon Lea Foundry to the East. It cut across Frederick Street, Robert Street and Stephenson Street. The area appears to heve been redeveloped in the 1880-1890s as there is no mention of Cleveland Terrace in the 1901 census.

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    • Does anyone know where Bay Street is/was in Stockton on Tees. My mother’s birth Certificate states born 2 Bay Street. Thank you.

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      • Christine, here is a link to map of Stockton from about 1940, which shows Bay Street – https://maps.nls.uk/view/101100482
        You can zoom in on this map for better detail.
        Go North up the High Street, until you get to the Parish Church.
        Turn right into Church Row, and proceed along that road to Paradise Row.
        Look north above Paradise Row and you will see Bath Street running parallel.
        Bay Street lies half way between Paradise Row and Bath Street, but it is only a very short street. Bay Street is no longer standing as the area was redeveloped about 2000.

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  30. Where was Ewbank Street in Stockton. It appears in the 1911 census records but I assume its not there any more? I can see Ewbank Drive but these are more modern.

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    • Angela, here is a link to a map of Stockton available on-line at
      https://maps.nls.uk/view/100941551 This map was published in 1947, and you can see Ewbank Street at the top of the page. Find the number 44 in red on the top margin, and look below it. Ewbank Street runs North-South. It was still standing until the area was redeveloped with modern housing about 30 years ago.

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  31. Hi, I current live on Trent street TS20 2DP and really interested about the history of this estate.
    I was informed that it use to be all farm land from hill house before it became clay quarry. Is this correct please?

    Kind regards

    Nev

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  32. Hiya. I was a Chippendale and toured the UK with them in 1994. Whilst in Stockton-on-Tees, everyone went to do a tv advertisement, and Bernie Tavis and I (Kirt strasburg) went out and chopped a tree down for a local newspaper. Would there be any formal record of this, or perhaps photographs? Please let me know. I live here in the south (UK) and always wondered. Thank you in advance.

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    • Hi. The local paper will have been the Evening Gazette, based in Middlesbrough. They have a Facebook site with hundreds of pics – Evening Gazette Remember When – that you could try, or you might want to contact the Gazette to see if there’s a way to search their archives.

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  33. Hi I think my dad worked at JD Whites in Thornaby as a crane driver would you have any history of this company please think he was there around 1977

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  34. Do you know when 12 The Glebe Norton was built? I know the estate started to get built in 1967 but I feel these were built after the original estate?

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    • Hello Ruth, the first entry that I have for 12 The Glebe in Norton is in the 1980-81 electoral register. I hope that this helps.

      Kind regards,
      Hannah

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  35. Hello,
    I am doing family research and my great grandmother lived 15, Beaumont, Stockton-on-Tees, Durham, England. Is it still there? Do you have any information?
    Kind regards

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    • I can’t remember there being one there, there was one at Chandler’s Wharf, where the Casino/Bingo is down by the river, near to Victoria Bridge.

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    • Yes there was a Netto at Teesside Park many years ago. It was situated in a corner, possibly where Sports Direct is now.

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  37. Hi
    I used to live in the old Police Station 168 Belasis Ave about 1968 went to Billingham South. I remember a lot of pupils from that school. I have lovely memories from the few years I lived there. Would love to hear from anyone. I would also love to know any history of that grand house. It was a glorious house and I had the privilege to live in it. My name Deborah Peel my twin brother David.

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    • Hello Debbi, I have a map which shows that what is now Ashwood Lodge Care Home was a police station in 1947, and in 1939 168 Belasis Avenue was a bank.
      Just wondering if there has been a number change as I am assuming you mean you lived in the Ashwood Lodge building?

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    • Hi Debbi, I was in yours and David’s class (class 2) and can remember you both very well. In fact I was friends with David. You both sat at the front next to each other and at the window overlooking the playground and canteens. It was also in front of Mr. Swift’s desk. Long time ago so I hope you can recall me. Others who come to mind – Gillian Lloyd, Julie O’Brien, Tania Smith, Robert Smith, Mark Johns, David Hughes, Stuart & Pamela Hodgekiss, John Wilson. Some of those I can remember I’m not sure whether they were in our class or from when I was in Class 1 with Miss Morgan. I was aware of you working in Sainsbury’s from FB and our friends daughter who worked there. Hope both you and David are well. Take care.

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      • Just to add that I met Stuart Hodgekiss quite a few years ago at Yarm Methodist Church. He was doing ok then and was a milkman in and around Yarm.

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      • Hello. I used to live on Ragpath Lane in the late 1950s-1966 and went to Roseworth School where there was a Miss Morgan. Could it be the same teacher? Diane Daubney

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  39. My Great Grandparents on my maternal side, Arthur Russell Wilson and Alice Wilson, ran a tobacconists shop in St Cuthbert in 1871, they also ran the Red Lion Inn at Norton (1901) and the Grand Hotel at Bishop Aukland (1911) and later the Fleece Inn at Yarm (1915), if anyone has any old photographs it would be lovely to see them. Their son Arthur Lennard is my Grandad and he married Florence Leah Jennings and the family lived in Howden Street. I know that my great uncle was a clock maker and one of his clocks is in the town hall but I very little else. If anyone has any information on either my family or the places that they lived/ran I would love to hear more about them. Thank you

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  40. Hello,

    I am a teacher in y5 at Hartburn primary school and we are looking at carrying out a local study. Do you know where we might be able to find some maps from 1960 onwards of Stockton? Thank you so much in advance.

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    • Hi Megan,
      Julie will probably turn up some better ideas, but just in case. Presuming that you can take them from the net, try:-
      National Library of Scotland
      Old maps on Line
      Google Maps, Historical Maps.

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  41. My Mother, Margaret White was the daughter of Frederick & North White and was born in 1925 at Port Clarence and lived in Church Street. My question is “Where was/is Church Street”.

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    • Norman, I do not think that you will find Church Street on a map. I believe that it was one of a number of terraces built within the Clarence Steel Works. You can see these houses marked on a 1923 map, Go to
      https://maps.nls.uk/view/102341743
      You will find Port Clarence on the north bank of the River Tees. Once you have found the main housing area, go further east until you are at the Clarence Steel Works. There are several short terraces running north-south, and are named on the map “Clarence Old Cottages”. There is a photo on this website of these houses, go to https://picturestocktonarchive.com/2013/03/08/bells-iron-works-c1920s/
      But I cannot tell you which road was Church Street. But read some of the comments left beneath that photo and you will see Church Street mentioned.

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      • Many thanks Cliff for that information. The first attachment was fascinating to see the location of those houses actually within the works. The photograph in the second attachment showing the iron Church I found very interesting because my mother lived at 12 Church Street until aged 7 in 1933 when my grandfather died. From then on, the family relocated to Wallsend nearer to relatives. The description of the accommodation in those houses was very detailed but depressing for those living there by todays standards. All in all fascinating to read and thanks for the information you supplied. Regards, Norman Crosby

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        • Norman, to get a feel for life in that isolated community read the book “At the Works” written by Lady Florence Bell (wife of the owner of the Ironworks). She visited the houses and spoke with the workers, recording their day to day lives. Her book was published in 1907, hope that it is not too early to be of interest.

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    • Yes, I know the reason. Technically it’s two streets laid side by side! One is called ‘Market Place’ and the other the High St! This is clearly marked on very old maps.
      The River Tees was always a busy port in the past so a lot of trade would have gone on the the ‘Market Place’. There was a residential ‘Town House’ where the Town Hall now is. Also a ‘Toll Booth’ where travellers had to pay a fee. I suppose this was an early form of road tax! They would have divided the High St into two…Because it’s a smaller town, it’s not such a well known fact, but Northallerton was similar… My grandmother worked in service in a hotel in ‘market street’ but it was behind the high St there!

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      • You’re welcome Peter… I was brought up in Norton but used to go regularly with my mother into Stockton, especially market day… I am interested in local history and joined a free facebook site called ‘Memories of Stockton’. There are lots of interesting and informative photos on it, depending on what you are interested in, such as old pubs, trams, the river, schools or whatever. There’s a great one today showing the first known photo of the ‘Town House’ (i.e. Town Hall).

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  43. A question from Maurice White:

    Does anyone remember Ray and Isabel Hackney from Norton. Ray and I worked together in the late 60’s. His Mother in Law, a Mrs. Rasmussen, was the Personnel Manager in Woolies Stockton about the same time.

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  44. Hi all I am enquiring with regards to any photos or pictures of Strathrye witham Avenue Eaglescliffe appreciate any information many thanks regards Vanessa

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  45. Hi there everyone! I wonder if anyone can help me track down any kind of memorabilia or possible photos of a Stockton group from back in the 1960’s called “The Outcasts.” My dad, Stuart Patterson was the lead singer and harmonica player, and I would just love to be able to find anything at all about them. Thank you very much, Sophie

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      • Hi there Stuart – yes he did! Thank you so much for your message and I’m so sorry for the delay – I didn’t get a notification of your reply! 😊

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    • Hi Sophie/ I was in the same year as Stuart at Grangefield. The bass player was Steve Clapham, also in our year. I;m afraid I can’t remember the other members.
      I was there once when they were playing at a Grangefield school dance when there guitarist was taken ill and had to go home before their second set. I played in another group,The Cyclones, and they got me to stand in for the rest of the show. I also stood in for them on a couple of other occasions. I’m sorry I dont have any photos or other memorabilia.

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      • Hi there Pete! This is fascinating to hear, and I’m so sure that your name is familiar to me, I’m sure mum or dad must have mentioned you! Thank you so much for your message and I’m so sorry for the delay – I didn’t get a notification letting me know I had a reply. Not to worry about not having any memorabilia, I’ll keep on the hunt! Thank you so much again, Sophie

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    • The definitive book about Teesside groups playing between 1960-1970 is Chris Scott Wilson’s recently published “Boys in the Bands”. I cannot find any reference to “The Outcasts” in this book.

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      • Hi there Cliff, thanks so much for your reply – yes! I actually bought my dad that book for Xmas, which he loved and knew most of the groups from in fact playing alongside them. Perhaps I shall contact the author, that’s a good idea. Thanks again and all the best, Sophie

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        • Hi I was in the original line up of the Outcasts. I had to leave to revise for my O levels and Stuart replaced me in 1963. The other members were, Tom Cowley on drums, Adrian (Flush) Wilson, rhythm guitar and Steve Clapham Bass guitar and main vocals. Tom became a PE teacher, Adrian became a lawyer and I think Steve managed Dire Straits at one point.

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          • This is so amazing to hear, it’s so strange to think of my dad as being so young! 🙈 thank you so much for your message and I’m so sorry for the delay – I didn’t get a notification letting me know I had a reply. I don’t suppose you or any of the other lads have any kind of memorabilia from the band at all? Perhaps pictures? Thank you so much again, Sophie

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  46. Can anyone help me with the history of the waste land (Billingham Beck) at the side of New Road and Imperial Road in Billingham. I’ve heard that it was a chemical storage are for ICI and wondered what chemical it was. Also the now owners (Scott Brothers) planned to build houses there a couple of years back but this seemed to come to an abrupt stop for what ever reason…Does anyone know the real reason?
    Many thanks

    Cliff

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    • Hi Cliff, i grew up in haverton hill, was born at sweethills and then later moved up to hill 60, there was 5 streets of houses all ownned by the ICI, my dad worked at ICI, my family left in 1966, and as far as i know the whole place was demolished in 1967-1968, i would imagine the ground there is very similar to Chernobyl.This is probably the reason why the building of houses decision was stopped.

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      • Chernoble!!!! I hope not but they obviously found something! I have this idear of a ‘community’ forest but I guess Scott Brothers would need to be up for that too…I doubt there would be much money in that….

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      • Maureen May – My late friend and neighbour Mary Shaw (a retired midwife) was also born in Sweethills and I have a few friends who grew up in Haverton and I’m told it was a lovely community BUT it was chemical factories emitting their rubbish into the air and the waterways which polluted it. It was the most polluted place in the world! The River Tees has been cleaned up beyond all recognition and salmon have returned. I remember cycling to work along the A19 and seeing dead fish floating in the beck (which flowed into the Tees), The water was bright orange! Yet I remember paddling in beck which I was a child… I used to walk from Norton.

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        • Hi Mandy, and thankyou for ur reply, yes the beck was full of all sorts of Chemical c
          Colours when we used t paddle in it as young kids, i remember a huge explosion when i lived there, the sky was on fire (Acid Rain) of course we werent to know in those days what Acid Rain was?I came from a big Family of 7 siblings, and ive lost 3 sisters in the last 5 years all to Lung Cancers, both parents also passed away with Lung cancers, they werent heavy smokers, theres 4 of us siblings left now and we all have serious health issues, fair enuf we r in our 60’s but when u try to live a good healthy life and u end up with serious health issues u begin to wonder How has this happened? ive mentioned t lots of specialists over the years re the ICI Emitting Chemicals into the Air and Soil and Water when i was a kid, and all of the specialists ive seen agree that most of our health issues will be due to living so close to the ICI, we lived in Howard Crescent, there was just 5 streets, everyone knew everyone and we all looked out for each other, everyone worked at the ICI and lived in the ICI houses.The dead fish u saw does not surprise me atall.I agree it was the most Polluted place in the World, we left in 1966 and moved to Tyneside, my Mam used t be good friends with the Bateman family, Nancy Bateman, they lived down the village.we were born in Victoria St Sweethills, and then moved up the hill to Howard Crescent.I remember my Mam telling me that Paul Daniels the Magician was also brought up in Sweethills, she said he came from a very big family.

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          • Thanks Maureen – I recommend a book called ‘A Quiet Catastrophe’ by Franklin Medhurst. Covid permitting it can be borrowed from the library. It is mostly about corruption by councillors in the 60’s and the demolition of the East Side of Stockton High St BUT it mentions Haverton Hill being the most polluted place in the WORLD during the late 50’s and 60’s, because of chemicals being in the air and waterways… My husband was actually born and brought up in Monkseaton Drive in Billingham, and not Haverton. But both him and his brother have the same lung disease and neither worked for ICI but obviously breathed the air.. I was brought up in Norton, close to Billingham and often the air stunk. Mary Shaw told me that when she was a midwife cycling to ‘home births’ her nylons (tights) would literally melt on her legs. Frankly I thought she was exaggerating but she wasn’t! I’ve discovered the ‘orange’ pollutant was sulphur. Nowadays H & S wouldn’t get away with it. I know some Batemans but not whether they are related to Nancy Bateman. I’ll have to ask next time I see them but won’t be in the near future because of lockdown! My husbands lung disease isn’t cancer – it’s bronchi-ectasis (think that’s the correct spelling!) but it’s controlled by medication. We did know some who sadly died from emphysema after working for many years for ICI. It was awful seeing him struggling for breath while using an oxygen tank. I remember when a child in the 50’s I used to say to my mother ‘what’s that nasty smell’ and she used to say ‘it’s only ICI’ but she hadn’t known how serious it was.. I’d like see a lot of trees planted in the area to help oxygenate the air. xx

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            • Hi Mandy,
              Many thanks for the info on the book, will deffo look it up, i remember that awful smell and the orange cloud in the sky,
              So very Sorry t hear about ur Husbands condition, im sure it will be related t breathing those chemicals in?
              Your Idea about planting Trees could be a great plan, to Oxygenate the Area and the Ground, although the ground may kill the Trees, only Time will Tell.
              When i was a kid never noticed hardly any trees atall, there was a farm at the end of our street Howard Crescent, and also a Catholic School, i remember our next door neighbours were called Allborn, there was Erika Allborn and Norman Allborn and Kenny Allborn, and other side was Mr and Mrs Moore.
              I attended Haverton Hill infants school and juniors until we left and moved to Tyneside, as did my Siblings, and my older siblings went t Billingham Campus school.

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            • Hi Mandy

              The orange dust was Sulphur & Sulphur dioxide form Sulphuric Acid plant.
              ICI used to discharge a lot of fumes, the main plumes were from the Nitric Acid plant,

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          • Yes, I agree with your comments but as far as I’m aware the pollution problems didn’t cause cancer but they certainly caused long term breathing problems such as COPD … this was due to the sulphur. I’ll keep a lookout for the film you mentioned. ICI were planting reed beds in the 90’s. They were expected to ‘soak up’ some of the contamination. I’m sure scientists would know which trees were most suitable for planting in the area… The BEST sign of clean water is the fish such as salmon returning to the Tees and it’s tributaries. I got a job as a ‘temping’ typist in the year 2001 and couldn’t believe it when I saw people fishing near the end of Finkle St, Stockton during their lunch hour. Lots of trees have also been planted along the area overlooking the A19 bypass but more needs to be done. Also good news is new ‘clean’ factories are now occupying premises off New Road – one being a new Covid vaccine called ‘Novo-vax manufactured by ‘Fuji’. Another will be a Quorn factory on Belasis Avenue…. So it’s not all bad news!

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    • Used to paddle in the Beck when we were kids, not knowing what was in the water at that time, i now know that the ICI used t dump a lot of waste in the Beck.

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      • Wow!!! A few years back I don’t think I would have gone anywhere near that beck…But recently I’ve noted how clear the water has been (before or well after any flooding) …Last weeks rain has certainly topped things up over there and I havent seen anything like it in the 15 years I’ve been walking, running and dog walking over there…

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        • So glad to hear the Beck is running Clean water these days Cliff, who knows what Chemicals are Lurking under the ground though?
          Sadly i think the Ground will be Toxic from Spilled chemicals for the rest of Time.

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    • The land east of Imperial Rd was a storage tank site and to the west was a coal yard/waste dump with railway sidings.

      See a map here: https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=16&lat=54.58826&lon=-1.29063&layers=193&b=1

      Storage site: https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EAW024033
      The only feature to survive is the rectangular water reservoir.

      Coal Yard: https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EAW024104
      This was where the housing development was planned to be, that was later withdrawn (~2017). Maybe the ground wasn’t up to it? as the area had been used for dumping industrial waste.

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      • Thank you for those links….I think you may be correct with the land not being up to the housing development…Just wondering what that industrial waste is/was…Also wondering if it would prevent trees growing….Strange how the number of trees growing on that land is very limited, even after all this time… Thanks again

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    • I know that there were four (I think) large storage tanks. I would guess 20 ft dia. and about the same height. They were maybe 40 yards south of New Road and I only ever saw them from the road. I do know that they were used during WW2 for aviation fuel (for Thornaby and Middleton). The fuel was made from coal using extreme pressure. The tanks had a brick skin (double I think) as bomb shrapnel protection. The fuel was made over new Rd in ICI. I vaguely recollect an assortment of single storey buildings and some pipe racks. I would not be surprised if the land was very contaminated and difficult to bring into housing use.

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  47. Hi again. I am still trying to get a photo or some information on the timber yard near Victoria Bridge in 1953/4/5 (anything on Stockton at that time really). I remeber the smell of beer making as we walked to school! My abusive father was the caretaker there then (mum did most of the work). There was a fire with a lot of damgage, after which (and several beatings from my father) mum took us to live in Rosedale Head, Pickering. I am just finishing my memoir and desperately need (because my mentor has said I need more background information on this time) some more information and photos of this time.The Yard was near a hotel/pub, opposite a bus depot and next door to railway lines. Many thanks for any help you can give. Betty Williams.

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    • The area described is visible in this image from 1952:
      https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EAW043770
      (That site is undergoing maintenance till 1st Feb, after which you would be able to register for free, which gives the ability to zoom in.)
      Once you are able to zoom in, you will be able to make out more detail on the all the various things you mentioned in your previous post, including a bus depot (not station), railway crossing, Victoria Bridge and some of the businesses like the Vaux brewery yard.

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    • Hello

      A comment by Bob Wilson on this image:-

      St Johns Crossing, late 1960s

      Mentions J Smith Timber Yard,

      I have an image of St John’s Crossing with a set of gates with “J B Smith” on them, this may be what you are looking for. It is not very good quality and the rest of the wording on the sign can’t be read, this is from the early 1950s.

      I also have a photo of the same area showing Dove’s Building Suppliers in a building with tall metal folding doors, this is from the late 1960s.

      I also have two images of maps of St John’s Crossing one from 1859, the other from 1895, both show the timber yard.

      I have uploaded these images to this address:-

      https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ajpj0BgkXQUQgzw9CkphA4CobzcQ?e=gXaf8H

      If you would prefer me to email them I can be contacted here:-

      billinghamlad@gmail.com

      Imeson & Finch were mentioned, they were in the same area but they were an engineering firm, initially carrying out hydraulic work for the mining industry, later moving into machining.

      They had an elevated section on their workshop with the name painted on it, it could be seen from a good distance, I have seen a photo, possibly on this site, of a building on Bridge Road with Imeson & Finch behind it.

      The above images can be downloaded by anybody.

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    • I believe the timber yard was owned by a company called Foster Brothertons in Boathouse Lane. The pub you mentioned was the Alexander, managed in the 50’s by Bill Loadwick

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  48. Hello. I’m trying to locate a photograph of my Great grandfather Victor Harry Mason, Son of Annie Louisa Mason, born 11/3/1893 and died 23/10/1916 (aboard HMS Genista). I have his war record but cannot locate a photo. I’ve exhausted all avenues and hope that a relative from one of his daughters line may have some information or a photo they would be willing to share!
    He married Olive Maud Rhodes and they had a son William Victor (my grandfather) in 1912, a daughter Gladis Gwendoline (Gwennie) in 1913 and another daughter Beatrice Anne (Annie) in 1916.

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  50. Joseph Rowntree Foundation did a report on the people of Thistle Green when it was demolished and they were moved into council houses. Could you tell me the date of the demolition so I can track down their report Thank You
    Kathleen Carter

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    • Yours is a piece of old Stockton information that I too would be much interested in. Please can I ask you to pass it on (if and when)?
      Derek Wade

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    • I assume you meant the slummy area around old properties such as the Cherry Lane and Housewife’s Lane area… The people were moved into properties in Swainby Road and Danby Rd Tilery. Many of the residents hadn’t even had basic things we all take for granted such as toilets (having to share with neighbours) and had to go to Stockton washhouse for a bath and obviously washing. This was 1927 and 1928. Hope that helps.

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