Edwardian photos & Bios of Notable Northumberland & Durham People

[River Tyne Lass]

I have come across two reference volumes in North Shields local studies which I think might of interest to some RootsChatters who may have Northumberland or Durham ancestors who may have been prominent in society or have done well and been noted in their chosen profession.

These volumes are titled:

'Edwardian Biography: Northumberland'
'Edwardian Biography: Durham

Each person named has a photograph and a biography. 
Categories include:
Members of Parliament
Gentry & Magistrates
Clergy
Medical
Legal
Dental
Art & Literature
Architects
Engineers
Land Agents
Accountancy & Insurance
North Eastern Railway
Commerce & Shipping

I haven't had time to look through every page but from what I have seen all the photos were male.
I thought it would be good to let people know about the existence of these volumes as I think we all like to know where to find possible photos of our ancestors. 

[Ellalaine]

Hi River Tyne Lass,

I've stumbled across your really useful post about biographies of people in Northumberland and Durham and would like to thank you for posting.

I am researching boat builders and master mariners from my family. I wonder in your travels have you come across the Harvey and Stoddart families?

My 3 and 4x GGFs both called James Harvey born 1805 Lanarkshire, Scotland and his son 1827 Sunderland both built ships I think on the Tyne but I cannot find any other ship info regarding their careers.

My 4x GGF was Ralph Stoddart was a Master Mariner born 1797 Norton, Durham but again struggling to find ship info. I'm in Stoke-on-Trent.

Any info you have or any other pointers would be great,

Kindest regards,

Ellalaine (born down south but delighted to find I have Northern roots after all!!!)

[River Tyne Lass]

Hi Ellalaine,
I am certainly willing to check things out at the local studies for you.  However, unfortunately we have just had a family bereavement. So it will be a few weeks, but I will get back about this after this time.
Your dog is gorgeous.

[Ellalaine]

Hi River Tyne Lass,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Please don't think at all about doing a search for me. It's so important to take very good care of yourself at times like this. (I'm a chaplain so I support a lot of people through bereavement.)

Our beautiful and very silly greyhound is called Mindy. She's 10 going on 2. Best girl ever. 🐾

Take care,

Ellalaine x 🙏🕊

[River Tyne Lass]

Of course I will still help you .. I like helping people, it is my hobby and what I do for enjoyment.  So don't imagine you are putting on to me in any way, you are not. 
It is my brother who has died and we were very close and he was the last of my siblings to go and I feel quite bereft right now.
That is such important and valuable work that you do.  I have found the support and prayers of Chaplains such comfort this time round and when my other brother died in 2021.
Your dog Mindy is lovely; in her face she looks exactly like my son's dog a little black whippet called Jessie.  Jessie, a rescue dog, came from the Newcastle Cat & Dog Shelter at estimated age 2 and she has also sadly recently died at the grand old age of 19!  She was such a loving, playful and gentle dog and we too thought she was the best girl ever. 💖
In a few weeks, I will look into this for you. 
Don't concern yourself about having asked at this time.  You weren't to know.  I am not giving my hobby up, realistically I don't think I could - I enjoy it so much and it keeps me going.  Thank you for your kind words and I  definitely intend to look into this for you in a few weeks.

[Ellalaine]

I hope that you won't mind me holding you and your family in my prayers at this time. You've had a lot of loss. Your wee Jessie sounded like a lovely little girl. Dogs are such a precious part of the family. Mindy is a rescue. She's our second greyhound. It's very kind of you to help me out at some point. Hobbies are so great for well-being. You sound like a very kind lady. No need to reply to this message. I'm sure we will chat in due course. Take care and God bless. Xx

[River Tyne Lass]

Thanks so much for your prayers for my bereavement, Ellalaine; I really do appreciate it. Xx

I haven't been to find anything at all when I checked the Edwardian biographies.
I also checked an amazing resource called 'Dictionary of Tyne Sailing Ships'.
ng.

This volume is:
'Dictionary of Tyne Sailing Ships
A record of merchant sailing ships owned, registered and built in Port of Tyne from 1830-1930
By Richard E. Keys

I couldn't see any mention of the names linked with ship builders but there were quite a few mentions of a J. Harvey named as Master of various ships.  These are just a few.  There is a lot more info re each ship but if these are your ancestors it might be worth seeking to borrow the book from somewhere.  I do seem to recall someone on another thread on here having related being able to obtain the book on loan from somewhere.
Added: This is the thread see post 15:

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=869568.msg7406064#msg7406064p

Master of 'Vision' - 12.10.1840;
'Celerity' - 14.2.1825
'Hope' - 21.10.1834

Do you think your ancestors may have been Masters rather than ship builders, perhaps?

 

[Ellalaine]

Hi River Tyne Lass. Thank you so much for looking into this for me. I hope you and your family are OK.

My James Harvey is down on all the Census records I have as either a boat builder, carpenter or shipwright. I'm thinking "small cog in a big machine" but I have a photo of portrait of him that someone has painted. It's not a very accomplished painting but theres a note somewhere saying the papers he is holding in his hand are something to do with a ship he built. Its all very mysterious. His Father was also a James so looking into that possibility. His father was born in Scotland-family all Scots on his side. The plot thickens!! Will have a look at the link you sent. Thanks once again xx

[Ellalaine]

James Harvey