Walkerfield - Durham

[dustfairy]

Hi

I have found a family on the census records and they are living in Walkerfield, Durham, can anyone tell me where abouts it is please

Janette

[Candma]

It could be Wackerfield, a small hamlet, 2 miles north east of Staindrop.

[dustfairy]

Hi

Thanks for the info.  On all the census records I have found it did say Walkerfield, apart from one which said Wackerfield.  Now I know it is Wackerfield. 

Janette

[oldkiwi]

Hi all
Not sure how ago this post has been running, I have just discovered Walkerfield on a memorial on Ancestry  and agree Wakerfield seems most likely.  Think the stone mason must have to much red
I will share a link.   https://www.ancestry.com.au/mediaui-viewer/tree/71388504/person/402550363492/media/51079db6-f139-4319-b8e8-e49b9104f8df?usePUBJs=true

[Jillity]

I'm glad to have found this thread as I have an ancestor from Walkerfield/Wackerfield.
In Kelly's Directory it says,
'Walkerfield township is 2 miles north-west from the church. The Duke of Cleveland K.G. is lord of the manor and principal landowner. The area is 690 acres; rateable value, £1,085; the population in 1881 was 128.
— Kelly's Directory of Durham (1890)'

I think either the place was called Walkerfield, but it was changed to Wackerfield, or there are a large number of misspellings.

[MollyC]

I think the directory was trying to gentrify the name, or else it reflects pronounciation.
The Ordnance Survey gives it as Wackerfield in 1856 and 1973.

https://maps.nls.uk/view/102341722#zoom=4.7&lat=8402&lon=13548&layers=BT

https://maps.nls.uk/view/188864419

[Jillity]

I wonder how local people actually pronounced it. People often just wrote down what they heard without much regard to spelling.

[AlanBoyd]

Reminds me of one of my late grandfather's jokes. (This is east Durham.)

George, a miner, goes to the doctor to obtain a sick note.

Doctor: Can you walk? (in standard English pronunciation)

George: Whork? Aa cannut even waark.  (meaning Work? I can't even walk.)

[Jillity]

  That explains a lot. There was an interesting discussion once on how to pronounce Houghton Le Spring. The people who were from that area said it was pronounce Horton Le Spring. That has probably been written down a few times.
Wackerfield it will be then.