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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Durham => Topic started by: Patsy Beech on Sunday 22 June 14 02:13 BST (UK)
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Hello Again,
It is several years since I last did any family searching, and I am struggling to put all my information bits and pieces into some sort of sense!!! I am planning to visit West Rainton in the coming weeks and would like to know where to look for certain places that are mentioned on census returns and family certificates, can you help please?
My great, great grandfather, John Thompson, was crushed by tubs and killed whilst working at the Adventure Pit on 18th August 1872. Would this pit have been located down Adventure Lane, West Rainton?
On the 1891 census my Great grandfather, also called John Thompson, was living with his family at Andersons Row. I think this row was part of several rows of houses built by the Londonderry family for the miners, and therefore long since demolished. Any idea just what stands on the site now?
On the 1901 census (RG13/4693 Folio 76 page 23) my great grandfather John Thompson and family are living at 8 South Street. Now the top of the page has ALL of the following recorded Civil Parish - Newbottle (part of), Ecclesiastical Parish Chilton Moor, Rural District Houghton-le-Spring, Town or village Dubmire, so the question is this really West Rainton after all or is it Fence Houses?
The next entry on the census page is for number 9 South Street, followed by Brittania Inn, landlord Philip Clark. Now on the Hetton Local History website there are some memories recorded of "The Township of West Rainton" and the person writing is on a 'walk about' visiting the many locations of pubs that had been in the village previously.
"The next public house was the Brittania which stood on the opposite side of the road to the present Leamside Junior mixed school. This public house was demolished and council houses built on the site in 1950."
Now looking at a modern day map of where South Street is a where the school is now located there appears to be quite a distance not just one dwelling. So has number 8 South Street moved since 1901, or has the school moved? Or should I be in Fence Houses, and if Fence Houses where is South Street? I can't find it on a map!
On the subject of schools I understand that the original school built by the Marchioness of Londonderry still stands, and has an inscription over the door, but it has been converted into a private house. Could anyone tell me in which street to look for it? My granddad Charles Herbert Thompson must have attended school there (he was born October 1887 at 97 Freehold, West Rainton) and it must have given him a good solid education because he went to work for a timber merchants in London as a shipping clerk.
Finally I have a marriage record of my great, great grandparents George Curry & Elizabeth Purvis which took place on 14th May 1836 from the George Bell transcripts available on the Internet, but can I find a copy of the marriage in West Rainton where I think the ceremony took place? It was their daughter Mary Ann Curry, born Nags Head, West Rainton April 1844 and who grew up to married John Thompson and be my great grandparents. I believe The Naggs Head was on ground between the A690 and Lambton View - is that correct?
I will keep my fingers crossed that someone can help me find these places, but don't be surprised if you see a lost soul wandering about West Rainton!!!!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post.
Patsy
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You can see West Rainton and the Londonderry School on the old maps at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=432263,546732 select a map from the list on the right. This is a Google Street View of the building now. http://goo.gl/maps/0fe4r
You can see Adventure Pit on the old maps at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=431623,547168
You can see South Street on the old maps at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=432375,549780 just to the west of Front Street, the A1052, the houses are still there see http://goo.gl/maps/2vLfh This a street view of the backs of the houses http://goo.gl/maps/dmiqs
The Britannia Hotel was at the corner of Front Street and Britannia Terrace street view http://goo.gl/maps/uzEyu
Stan
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You can see Andersons Row on the 1920 map at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=431819,546335 it is the short street at the north end of Freehold. The houses have all been demolished and were roughly where School Avenue is now.
Stan
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Thank You Stan for all the information and links. That is going to save my poor old feet in West Rainton.
I am guessing that the South Street I am looking for is in Fence Houses not West Rainton, and the Britannia Pub probably gave the name to the street or the other way round. By 1911 Charles Herbert Thompson and his mother Mary Ann were living at 37 Britannia Street, so they had not moved far after his dad, John Thompson, was killed by an 'accidental fall of stone' in the New Lambton Colliery in 1908.
Thank you once again for your help.
Patsy
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Hi Patsy,
Looking at the maps again. the Britannia Hotel was not on that corner but was on the opposite corner and the building is still there. http://goo.gl/maps/qXWl7
Stan
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This a street view of 37 Britannia Terrace. http://goo.gl/maps/NHrBO
Stan
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You can also see South Street if you go to http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/AdvancedSearchMapSeries.aspx?layer=2 and enter the post code DH4 6LW in search.
South Street West Rainton is at post code DH4 6PA.
Stan
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Hi Stan,
Thank you for all the map links etc. They are great fun apart from being very useful. I see that just over a hundred years ago on the opposite side of Britannia Terrace to the houses was Ewe Farm. Not a bit like the view of today's modern school!
Best Wishes,
Patsy
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There is a tombstone at West Rainton St. Mary the Virgin:
In loving memory of John Thompson who died March 4th 1908 aged 65 years."Thy will be done" Also Mary Ann wife of the above who died November 21st 1924 aged 80 years also Robert son of the above and beloved husband of Sarah Thompson who died October 24th 1925 age 49 years.
Yours?
There are 2 Curry stones--William, surgeon, wife Mary Ann and some children, then another with a Michael and his wife Elizabeth and a few infant children
Janis
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The site below may help you:
http://www.durhamrecordoffice.org.uk/Pages/AdvancedSearchPlaceNamesResults.aspx?SearchType=PlaceParam&SearchID=5064d726-1b2f-46f5-b7df-fb82ae9be09d
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Hello Janis,
Oh yes, they are my ancestors, is the tombstone easy to find? The dates match Mary Ann's death certificate which was registered by her son George Ernest Thompson. She was living at 3 James Terrace, Dubmire [Fence Houses] at the time, but they must have brought her back to West Rainton to be with her husband John, and in the place of her birth.
As for the son Robert, well I had no information about him other than he was born in Philadelphia, Co. Durham c1877, so the news he has a wife named Sarah is a great find.
As for the Curry family I don't think we had any surgeons in the family, mainly coalminers, but Michael is a possibility. Mary Ann had a younger brother named Michael Curry born c1856. Would that date fit?
I think there are a couple of names on the war memorial outside St. Mary's that also fit into the family tree. William Herbert Minnis was the son of James Minnis and Mary Eliza McCullough. He died in France 11.8.1918 aged 30. Also R. Adair, son of David Adair and grandson of Jane Minnis & James Adair, died in France 9.4.1917, aged 26. My connection comes through John Thompson (husband of Mary Ann Curry) John had a younger sister called Mary Thompson born c1857 and she married John Minnis - sorry it is complicated with all the families Thompson, Curry, McCullough, Minnis, Adair etc. etc all marrying each other and that is without the various different spellings on offer!!!!!!!!
Thank you for you help, and I will now add the graveyard to my places to visit.
Patsy
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Thank You Barry.
I will give that link a try. I really appreciate all offers of help.
Patsy
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Hi
Re The Britannia Inn you were right first time Stan the Britannia was at the top of Britannia Terrace, opposite the Wellington Inn. It is now a builders office, and Flats above.
Aimme
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Curry's in section 4--the north west corner of the churchyard, on the right side of the path from the gate entrance to the western end of the church --actually both sections are near the war memorial
In loving memory of Elizabeth the beloved wife of Michael Curry, Rainton Gate, who died Jan 5th 1909, aged 77 years also Michael Curry beloved husband of the above who died March 13th 1916, age 85 years also Joseph, Jane and Margaret children of the above who died in infancy.
The Thompson's are in section 5--the north corner of the churchyard, on the left side of the path from the gate entrance to the northern end of the church\
Sacred to the memory of Emma beloved wife of Hugh Minniss of Fence Houses who died 2 April 1917 age 46 years, "Now the labourer's task of o'er"
In loving memory of James Minniss of Bensville, Leamside died April 24th 1928 aged 74 years also Mary E. Minniss wife of the above died July 22nd 1927 aged 70 years also William H. Minniss their son died of wounds at _______August 18th 1918 aged ____years
I think you should visit the churchyard.
There are 2 Malcolm McCullough's and wife Alison Mary, an Agnes, a Barbara, a memory of Thomas Harper McCullough. these are 2 different stones--just some of the names on them
Janis
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Hi Janis,
Thank you so much for all the information, I am definitely going to visit the Churchyard. I was only going to stop off on my way up to Scotland to attend the Urquhart Clan Gathering, but now I think I am going to need to call in on the way back also!
I got rather carried away by preparing my information for the visit and see that it is now past 3am! However it has been worth it as I have now found out that Rebecca Thompson, the youngest daughter of my 2 x great grandparents John Thompson & Jane McCullough was living at 26 South Street, West Rainton on the 1911 census. Her occupation is recorded as Caretaker of schools for the County Council. I wonder if it was just one of the schools or all three that were in/near to West Rainton.
I have also pieced together that at the Leamside school which I think was opposite the two public houses Bonny Pit Lad & Highland Lad in Pit House Lane the school master at the time was Malcolm McCullough living in the "School House" with his 12 year old daughter Florence Agnes Alice. By 1911 he is recorded as being the Head Teacher, and has remarried. The address he has given is Leamside, Fence Houses! Do you think he had changed schools or Fence Houses was given just as the local area? I am going to need to do more research as to which Malcolm belongs to which family/generation, but I am sure they are related somehow to my 2 x great grandmother as they were living in the same house at one stage.
I am going to print off all you information (good old pen and paper - no whizzy phone!) and bring it with me, so it is going to be put to good use soon.
Oh dear the birds have started the dawn chorus!
Thank you once again for your help.
Best Wishes,
Patsy
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Here's the McCullough ones:
Sacred to the memory of Agnes the beloved wife of Malcolm McCullough who died November 24th 1886 aged 58 years and of the above Malcolm McCullough who died June 21st 1910 aged 81 years and of their son Thomas Harper McCullough who died July 24th 1897 aged 31 years buried in Belfast City Cemetery
In loving memory of Barbara the beloved wife of Malcolm McCullough born January__18(56) died August 2_th 1900 also the above Malcolm McCullough born December 4th 1859 died July 2nd 1922 Headmaster of Leamside School for 38 years also his wife Alison Mary born 28th March 1874 died 25th July 1925
It is 12:45 pm to me and time to go to bed--I always hear the morning birds--I work 3rd shift and know very well the lure of family history. I have made some 12 family history research trips to England specifically Co. Durham, Northumberland and a little of Scotland rather than go to Bora Bora (my dream vacation)
Janis
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Thank You Janis for all the extra information. I am really looking forward to my visit there, and now I know just what to look for and where.
I bought a book showing then & now pictures of villages around Durham which I am finding fascinating. The Leamside school where Malcolm McCullough was headmaster has long gone and replaced with two lovely houses, however I think the stone wall around the front gardens looks like the original school wall - built to last!
Best Wishes,
Patsy
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Hello again Janis,
I have just returned from my trip to St. Mary's West Rainton, and how about the following for a good piece of luck - as I was searching the grave stones a very nice lady came and spoke to us, and asked if we were visiting? To which I replied yes, I was looking for my great grandparents John & Mary Ann Thompson. They turned out to be her great grand partents also, and if I have this correct that would make us second cousins. Her surname was Barrass which I see you have among the names you are researching.
Unfortunately it started to rain which made taking notes of names on the graves difficult, and I did not manage to find all the McCullough graves. You mentioned in an earlier post that there were more McCullough names, would it be possible to list them for me from your records?
You were absolutely right to recommend a visit to St. Mary's West Rainton - it turned out much better than I could have ever hoped for. Thank You.
Patsy
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I was introduced to a man surname Kelly quite a few years ago at a play. My maiden name was Kelly and since I lived some 700 miles from where I grew up why would I even imagine I was related to that man? Fast forward some 10 years and I am in contact with this very person only now he lives in Switzerland--Yep cousins.
I am glad you got to the churchyard, and I expect it to rain every day when I am in England, then if it is nice one day I think of it as a gift from G-d.
Previous post I gave you the 2 McCullough headstones.
My Barrass' were mostly from Penshaw and Washington
Janis
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Thank you Janis,
I was just hoping for some more names of children - I always live in hope!
The McCullough's by the way are Malcom Henry McCullough married Agnes Harper in Saintfield church Downpatrick, Ireland on 12th December 1852. The other Malcom is their son who was head teacher at the school in Leamside. He married twice, first to Barbara Ferry and when she died very young he married Alison Mary Blackett. The Thomas Harper McCullough was his younger brother.
Just to complicate the family tree after Agnes died Malcolm Henry McCullough married for a second time, this time his wife was Barbara Gibbney (nee Cochrane/Cochran) on 9th April 1893 where else but St. Mary's West Rainton. Her son was William John Gibbney and daughter-in-law Elizabeth Jane Gibbney (nee Thompson). If you follow Elizabeth Jane and husband William John Gibbney down the family tree you find a daughter named Nora Alice, she married a Mr. Welsh, and their daughter married Richard James Barrass. I said it was a complicated tree!!!!!
Thank you for taking all the time and trouble to send me the information.
Best Wishes,
Patsy
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In loving memory of my dear wife Elizabeth Gibbney who died 22nd January 1940 aged 70 years also William John Gibbney who died 8th Aug 1945 aged 81 years.
Sacred to the memory of Olive Ruby the beloved wife of Roland Welsh who died 3rd July 1943 aged 45 also the above Roland who died 16th July 1990 aged 94 years and Mary Elizabeth wife of the above who died 9th Dec 1978 aged 78 years. "Loved and remembered"
In loving memory of a dear wife Norah Alice Welsh died 13th March 1977 aged 74 years also her beloved husband Jeffrey died 23rd October 1982 aged 83 years also Margaret Annie Gibbney died 6th June aged 60 years.
In loving memory of a dear husband and dad Frederick E. T. Gibbney died 13 May 1979 aged 75 years. "At rest"
In loving memory of Richard James Barrass died 16th July 1945 aged 58 years.
Janis
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Thank You Janis for the extra details for my family tree.
Best Wishes, Patsy