West Rainton

[Patsy Beech]

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

[stanmapstone]

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

[stanmapstone]

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

[Patsy Beech]

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

[stanmapstone]

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

[stanmapstone]

This a street view of 37 Britannia Terrace. http://goo.gl/maps/NHrBO

Stan

[stanmapstone]

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

[Patsy Beech]

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

[2zpool]

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