Deaths in Sunderland Shipyards

[Al1B]

Hi
I am new to family history research and have very limited info as my grandfather doesn't have exact details as he was so young when both his parents died. His father died in a Sunderland shipyard accident when he was about 3, which puts the year at 1923 or possibly 1924. All I know is it was autumn/winter months becuase he slipped on ice and it had been a frosty morning. He slipped and fell on metal girders (?) His surname was Harper and first name possibly John (guess?) (his wife Edith had already died), so he left behind his mother Margaret Harper and his son John Wilson Harper.

Have you come across his in your shipyard research?

I would be fascinated to learn more if you have.
Kind regards
Alison

[taffie01]

Hi and welcome to rootschat,
i have found a marriage for a John J Harper to Edith Mowbray  O/N/D quarter 1919 at Hartlepool. is this your family?  this would tie in with a possible age of 3 around 1923 for grandfather. I will search further to try and help.
taffie

[taffie01]

hi Al1B,
this looks more likely,
 marriage;    John J Harper to Edith Hudson j/f/m quarter 1919 at Sunderland.
birth;      John W Harper  a/m/j quarter 1920 at Sunderland Mothers maiden name Hudson.
will try to find shipyard death info.
taffie

[taffie01]

hi,
 not having much luck with newspaper search but have found a possible death for Edith.
Edith Harper aged 27 died a/m/j/  1920 Sunderland. Looks like poss result of childbirth, how sad to be an orphan at  age of  3.
sorry will have to go now, good luck with search.

[Ryhopelad]

Hello Allison
Have checked my records and unfortunately I do not have a death in a Sunderland shipyard for a Harper. Looking at my notes there is a possibility I may have missed this accident as the microfilm of the Sunderland Echo I was using for that time period was damaged. Will be going to the Sunderland library tomorrow (23rd) will speak to one of the librarians to see if they can help.
Can tell you that there is a John Wilson Harper aged 30 buried in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery in the April of 1924.
Will also check the burial and get back to you.
Best wishes

Ryhopelad

[Al1B]

Dear taffie01 and ryhopelad

Thank you for your interest and help 

re: Edith Harper aged 27 died a/m/j/  1920 Sunderland.
That is almost certainly my Great Grandmother - she died within a week or two of my grandad being born in May 1920.

And  marriage;    John J Harper to Edith Hudson j/f/m quarter 1919 at Sunderland.
birth;      John W Harper  a/m/j quarter 1920 at Sunderland Mothers maiden name Hudson.

This seems to tie in with the dates I know.

Well, it is interesting re the John Wilson Harper in Bishopswearmouth cemetery, as that is my grandad's name and that is unusual, but he was born in 1920 and still alive! Being so young when his parents died he has very little info. Luckily he was brought up by his grandmother.

It is a sad story, and would really like to fit the puzzle together, and he would love to know more too.

Thank you

[HyltonMackem]

Hi

Long shot but I believe my GGranda was killed on Boxing Day in either 1920 or 1926 at one of the Pallion Yards. The story goes that his coat got caught in machinery and pulled him in but I don't know how true that is
His name was George Payne originally from Whitstable in Kent
Would you be able to see if you can find anything about him please

[Ryhopelad]

Hello HyltonMackem

Have checked my records for George Payne without any luck, not only for his death but also whether he had an accident in a shipyard. 

Have found a death in the September Q 1921 for a George Payne aged 86 years, who is buried in Bishopwearmouth Cemetery. This is the only death entry I can find between 1911 & 1930 so it is most likely your GGrandfather.

I am not going to the library until Wednesday, will check the burial details then look to find any information in the Echo. If this is him I must say it will be most unlikely he was working in a shipyard at the age of 86 but you never know.

Will get back to you Wednesday evening hopefully with some information.

Ryhopelad

[HyltonMackem]

Thanks RyhopeLad