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Hi RootsChatters,
I need some help please in finding details about Frank Keeff, and I am having difficulty as his surname has various spellings!

My starting point is the marriage certificate for Frank Keeff to Ivy Kate Cuff on 13th March 1917. On the certificate he is 28 years old and his occupation is Private, Coldstream Guards, address The Barracks Caterham. He records his father as Thomas Keeff, Engineer.

With that information I searched the medal records and found him both as 8124 Private, Coldstream Guards, and Private 47917 Worcestershire Regiment.

I then tried to find his birth certificate and sent for Frank Keeffe who was born 22nd March 1884, 9 Manchester Street, Kensington Town. No father on the certificate, but mother Annie Keeffe, Laundress (which was a very common occupation in that area). Now this is a bit older than than I would have expected from the age given on the marriage certificate, and of course there is no father named Thomas so there is doubt if these two certificates relate to the same Frank!

What would be really useful is a service record (full of good information!) because without some clues of birth or census returns I have come to a full stop. The only census return I have found is for 1891 at St. Mary's Orphanage in Heston and Isleworth RG12/1025 where there is a Frank Keefe aged 7, born Middlesex St. Pancras. Do you think this is yet another Frank or does he belong to the birth certificate, marriage certificate or neither?

All suggestions very gratefully received.
Patsy

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

Hi Folk,

I have just been having a browse around on eBay (South Shields page) and came across a wedding photo taken at Speed Photo Company, Ocean Road on 17th April 1934. Absolutely no idea of who they are, but knowing how precious my own family photos are it would be great if someone recognised the bride and groom to add to their collection. I think the person selling it will close the auction at 20:30 on Sunday evening 29th July - so not long to have a look. I hope it finds the right home.

Patsy

Hi Folk,

I am trying to establish the birth record for Jane Oliver, and I know from the 1901 census RG13/4666 folio 189, page 37, where she is aged 20 and living with her husband James Blackwood and her in-laws at 8 Old Rows, Collierley, Dipton she gives her places of birth as Milkes Burn.

In 1911 James & Jane Blackwood are still living in Dipton with their children, and once again her place of birth is recorded as Milkes Burn. Now doing a 'Google' search has not proved very successful, and my road atlas has also drawn a blank so has anyone ever heard of such a place as MILKES BURN? Has it been swallowed up by another village or town?

Best Wishes, Patsy

Hi RootsChatters,

Today I went to a postcard fair and spent too much cash!!! However I did find some postcards I was searching for to add to the family tree. One postcard was of Westoe Parade, South Shields, and so once back home it was straight to the Alan Godfrey Maps, as I thought it would be easy to pinpoint where it was/is, but no such luck  - or do I just need new reading glasses?

By doing a Google search I found a website for South Shields High School for Boys which has details of school entrants for the years around 1900 (Very interesting website) and among the boys who went to the school were several who lived in Westoe Parade. These were Henry Russell, Frederick William Thornton, Herbert Dewer Thorton, Richard Dupear, George William Lash & George Matthew Lackland Logie. Most of the fathers were Master Mariners except for Richard Dupear, his guardian was Hugh Brown, draper. As at that time it was a fee paying school I am guessing the families were comfortably well off, and therefore Westoe Parade would be in a 'good area' but which area?

All help appreciated & Many Thanks, Patsy