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Hi the only Orphanage I am aware of in Longbenton was the old Vicarage on Front Street, this later became the Northern Counties orphanage and then Ethel Williams Halls of residence (Newcastle University). The site is now residential apartments. I am unaware of any fire affecting the site but then it is possible as the building is made of stone so could have been rebuilt many times. 

Hi again

Probably did not explain myself properly, No evidence of being itinerant worker in Suffolk this happened after he moved to Durham area spent his entire life on farms all over the North East. Hours of endless fun tracking them all down but I have most of them now (in excess of 20). Not one of the Bridges side was involved in Mining. The Urwin's on the other hand were down the Pit from the early days but were farmers before that in and around Newcastle.

Just wondered if there were economic rasons in suffolk around that time that would lead my Grandfather to Move so far away from his family.

Thanks for your thoughts

Robin

Hi all

Although I have been on Rootschat for some time I have never posted as I have been concentrating on the Maternal side of my family (Urwin) which is solidly rooted in the North East and therefore local.

I have put off looking at my Paternal side as I was aware that my Grandfather was an Itinerant Agricultural worker and was likely to prove more problematic.

I have traced him back to Nettlestead in suffolk hence this post (I note that there are a lot of Bridges in Suffolk) my Grandfather was  -

Sydney Mordant Bridges b1878 Nettlstead ( at some point living on ofton Rd)

Father was Henry Bridges b 2 Sept 1851 Wetherden who married Emily Laffling of Nettlestead on 29th Oct 1873.

Father of Henry was another Henry Bridges b 1820 Wetherden who married Francis (Fanny) Miller in 1847

Father of Henry was William Bridges b 1783 who married someone called Bridget

Does any of the above link to anyone's Bridges tree?

Any advice on how to proceed further back than William when I am located in Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Any ideas why Sydney would have relocated from Suffolk to Co. Durham somewhere between 1891 and 1901.

It is a sad fact that although my grandfather had nine children only 1 is still alive (my fathers twin brother) and he can throw no light on the subject.

Any assistance from Rootschatter's would be appreciated

Thanks in advance

Robin

Colin

It is indead a mystery, I have been trawling through my collection of local history books etc and have found very little about the orphange in question, especially as relates to your specific query. For what its worth here is what I have found.

The Northern Counties Orphanges were the gift of two prominant families, the Abotts and the Philipsons. The Abbot Memorial girls orphange was built c1867 and the Philipson memorial boys Orphanage (sometimes known as abbot and philpson memorial orphanage. they continued in exixtance until 1939 when the site became the Princess Mary Maternity hospital, this continued until the 1990's when the buildings were converted into flats.

Good luck with your request to the TWAS if you get anything would you post a digest as it would certainly fill a gap.

Robin