St Cuthbert's, South Shields c1856

[KitCarson]

Hi,

A member once found this record on Family Search for me and it definitely fits with my Cunningham family.  Richard isn't recorded with the family in the 1861c, when they had already moved to Widnes, Cheshire.  I presume he died, but there is no registered death likely between 1856 and 1861.  The family were definitely Catholic but I can't find records for a St Cuthbert's Catholic Church/chapel in the area at that time.  Does that mean that he was christened CoE?  If so, was that because he was in ill health and that was all the family could do for him having no Catholic church close by?

Name:   Richard Cunningham
Gender:   Male
Christening Date:   05 Jan 1856
Christening Place:   St. Cuthbert's, South Shields, Durham, England
Birth Date:   18 Dec 1855
Father's Name:   Peter Cunningham
Mother's Name:   Rosana Murphy
C02078-6 , System Origin: England-EASy , GS Film number: 1936942 , Reference ID: yrs 1809-1838 p 48

I'd be very grateful for any advice.

Kit

[..claire..]

Hi

Wonder if the South Shields is a misprint. There is a St Cuthberts RC Church in North Shields. Found this info

 " Until 1849, Catholics in South Shields had to travel across  to North Shields to attend St Cuthbert's Church. However, in 1849 they bought a chapel in Cuthbert Street (now Western Approach) from the Bristol Brethren and formed the parish of St Bede, with the church dedicated to St Cuthbert.
The church, however, was too small, so on 27 May 1874 the foundation stone was laid for a new church in Westoe Road. St Bede's church opened on 22 August 1876.

Hope this helps

claire

[stanmapstone]

C02078-6 , System Origin: England-EASy , GS Film number: 1936942 , Reference ID: yrs 1809-1838 p 48

GS Film number: 1936942 is the  Church records, 1849-1858  Catholic Church. St. Cuthbert's (South Shields, Durham)  http://www.rootschat.com/links/016sv/

Stan

[stanmapstone]

You can see the Roman Catholic Chapel (St. Cuthberts) on the 1858 map at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=436200,566454

Stan

[KitCarson]

Thanks very much Claire.t and Stan.

Stan, comparing the 1858 map with a google map, it looks like the development of the Western Approach (or whatever was there before) have obliterated the original site?

Peter Cunningham worked as a chemical labour (as he did for the rest of his life).  Looks like there were quarries there, presumably either taking chemical elements and distributing them or manufacturing them on site.

can anyone give me background on this?

much appreciated, Kit

[KitCarson]

Ooops, sorry Caire.t, I can see that you already suggested that the Western Approach is probably over the site.
Kit

[stanmapstone]

The 1970 map shows that all the buildings in the area had been demolished.Cuthbert Street was between Wilson Street and Western Approach https://goo.gl/maps/pqQ0q

Stan

[KitCarson]

Cheers Stan, can always rely on you to assist.

Kit

[taffie01]

hi,

Yes there were a few chemical works in South Shields/ Jarrow area.(at one time largest in world) mainly along the river .I think that natural salt was used in the alkali works.

Along with glassmaking, mining & shipbuilding this was main source of employment.

2 pubs the Alum ale House, South Shields & The Alkali at Jarrow were built.(named after the industry)   probably first port of call on  way home from a most unpleasant job !

cheers
taffie