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I received a few emails last night from a 88 year old man
Posted by Norman Dunn on February 1, 2023, 13:27:38
I received a few interesting emails last night from a 'southerner' called Bernard Baker whos' mother was a 'Jarrow girl' born 1908 which I answered and got a bit more information. 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.
Re: I received a few emails last night from a 88 year old man
Interesting, but sadly I didn’t recognise any names. When I think of my childhood in Hebburn. I didn’t even know any of the quay or the colliery. We didn’t venture far from the New zTown.
Re: I received a few emails last night from a 88 year old man
That could have been me writing that story. My father Alexander Baker lived beside the shipyard in Jarrow and went to St Peters school. My Mum Lily Bailey was christened in St Paul's part of the monastery. Dad's family lived in Ellison Rd. My Baker family are certainly from that part of Jarrow.
Re: I received a few emails last night from a 88 year old man
Elizabeth, anything you may tell me about your dad's life and who he mixed with I would be interested as he was my godfather. Sadly, my dad has died,earlier than your dad and all their mutual friends I knew about John Mcintyre 1991 and others etc.
Re: I received a few emails last night from a 88 year old man
Hello Bernard, You mentioned that your Aunty and uncle that lived in Jarrow in Tyne st where you were not sure if the street was near the shipyard near by,then you suggested it might have been Palmers shipyard as you said they lived at no 7 Tyne st.Jarrow I was born in no 10Tyne street in Hebburn Quay in 1940 the street more or less looked down towards Leslie's from my bedroom window l could see the ships being built the ."noise you referred to from the riviters was may be from my father and his brothers they were all riviters.as l stated l was born in no10 Tyne st on the even numbered side of the st,you said you were at your Aunties at no 7 across the road from us,still overlooking Leslie's ship yard so in fact you could see and hear all the noises from the yard.,it sounds to me Tyne st in Hebburn Quay is the street in question.
