Ive edited it together and it makes interesting reading.
I added a couple of comments enclosed in brackets.
Dear Mr Dunn,
I am writing to you for help, as to where or whom, would be interested in my Family History, on my Mother's side, all born and lived in Jarrow.
I am 88 yrs old and live near Reading, where my Parents lived, after Mum came South for work, and met my father. My Daughter recently moved to Sherburn Hill, Durham, and has asked me about the streets where my mother’s side of the family lived ,in the 1800s-1900s.
Before my Sister died she was researching our family, so I have a lot of Info, Birth ,Marriage certificates, and my own personal memories of visits to Jarrow, after WW2, when I was very young.
My Mother was Margaret Turner, born March 14th 1908 at 3 Nixon St, Jarrow.
Her parents were Thomas Turner ,born 1874, and Harriet Walker b 1881 and they lived at 20 Buddle St and/or 30, Shakespeare St.
Harriet was from a big family who lived at 5 Tyne st..
Mum had a Sister, Mary Alice Turner, who died in 1918, Spanish Flu Epidemic.
Also, her brother, Tommy Turner, was born1910
My Grandparents married June 24, 1903,at St Peters church, Jarrow.
My Mum came South , date not known, and worked, 'In Service' for a family in London. She met my Dad, a Porter at a Hotel. They married at St Marks church, Jarrow, August 22, 1931. Then moved to Reading, where I was born, but sadly my father died ,December 1936. Mum never married again.
My grandfather Thomas Turner died ,and Grannie Harriet remarried a man called Patrick Munroe, both living in Albert rd, no's 81,and 83. They married at St Bede's Church, 19th Sept,1921.
I always knew her as Granny Munroe. I suspect My Mum left home, soon after that, as she never spoke very highly of Mr Munroe her foster father who liked his drink.
One address which is firmly in my memory is 19, Henry St, where I am sure 'Granny Munroe' lived ,when we visited soon after WW2.
The first time we visited, was soon after the end of the War. My Mum booked a train ,and we were due to travel on the 'Flying Scotsman' which was in service then. But we arrived at Kings Cross, just in time to see it disappearing from the Station. So we went on the next one which was a stopping Train, full of ex-servicemen, returning Home. They were all in good spirits.
I remember my Gran's house, a terrace house with a small back yard, and outside Loo. No Andrex, just a load of torn-up newspaper, on a piece of string. A narrow lane separated it from a similar house opposite. This Lane had lots of clothes lines across it with washing hanging out to dry. Gran had a big coal fired Range, for cooking etc. She made her own Bread. I remember helping to Knead the Dough, then leave it to 'Prove', before it went in to cook. That bread was lovely.
Another Aunt and Uncle ,who I haven't mentioned, were Aunt Ruth nee Walker , and Uncle Ambrose Ives. Uncle 'AM' used to take me for a trip on the Tyne Ferry, before the Tunnel was built. I believe, that several roads and house were demolished to make way for the Tunnel approach including some with family connections.
On one visit ,we stayed with my aunt and uncle and loved them. Ruth had the broadest Geordie accent you would ever hear. Especially when excited, even my Mum couldn't understand her.
Their house was near a Shipyard, maybe Hawthorn Leslies, where uncle Tommy worked as a Plumber. On a dull day,or when it was getting dark, from the upstairs windows we could see Red hot rivets being thrown,by bucket, and they would hear 'Ratatat' of Rivets being hammered. (I’ve explained to the writer that Leslies is in Hebburn so they’d either moved to Hebburn or was it the Mercantile ?)
Another thing then, was that those streets with lights were lit by Gas. Every evening the Lamplighter would come round, with a special pole and turn the lights on, and off again in the morning.
Another old custom was the 'knocker-up'. People didn't have alarm clocks , so would pay a man to come round ,and tap on the bedroom windows to get them up.
I recall on one visit we went to South Shields, and there was a Funfair. I was taken on the Dodgems, and hated it when we were 'Bumped hard'
I also remember a very old Church, which I thought was Saxon, (I’ve explained it was St Paul’s) but may be wrong. Beside the path, to the entrance, were a set of old Wooden Stocks'. But I believe they were moved inside, as weather was ruining them.
Hope my memories is interesting and I get feedback or maybe someone that remembers our family.
Thank you for reading.
Bernard Baker.
