General local history - coast near Whitby

[brooksburns]

Does anyone know of good resources for general local history of particular places - just to get an idea of what daily life was like - perhaps maps (besides maps.nls.uk), narrative descriptions, local museum/archaeological collections specific to very local areas, or anything else that just gives an additional angle.

In particular, I'm curious just now about East Row, a tiny coastal place just up from Whitby.  My folks were there for the whole 18th century (surnames Linton, Stonehouse, Graham).  Occupations: labourer; brewer; roper.  I'd love to have more understanding of what life was like for them.

[KGarrad]

GenUKI has this to say:

"EAST ROW, in the township of Newholme-with-Dunsley, and parish of Whitby, wapentake of Whitby-Strand; 2½ miles WNW. of Whitby."

See: https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/YKS/NRY/Whitby/more

[ThrelfallYorky]

There's a very good museum at Pannett Park in Whitby - I'm sure they'd help.

[brooksburns]

Thanks, this museum looks great!  Very eclectic too - even a pressed flower collection!
Here's the link: https://whitbymuseum.org.uk/whats-here/collections/

[tillypeg]

Whitby Library has a small local history section.  There are transcriptions of parish registers, censuses etc done by the Fylingdales Local History Group. There is a microfilm reader available (in normal times) for visitors to look at the Whitby Gazette archives.  I don't know what the current rules are re: visiting & using that at present.   

Not far away there are small interesting museums at Robin Hood's Bay and Staithes.

[ThrelfallYorky]

Type "East Clevelands image Archive" into your search engine, and enjoy! Apparently, East row is part of Sandsend now, the nearest bit as you go up the coat from Whitby, they developed as one as the Alum industry (were any of yours labourers in that industry?) developed. The surname "Stonehouse" is in at least two photographs in that archive. I've been having a fascinated browse around in it since I found it  earlier, as I knew the area in the 1960s. I'm sure you'll find lots of interest there.
TY

[ThrelfallYorky]

Also just come upon a site simply called "Sandsend History" by an Alison Small, with images, census records featuring the names you are interested in, right up to 1939 register. Try browsing around that, you'll enjoy it!
TY

[brooksburns]

Thanks very much ThrelfallYorky!

You're right, it's now part of Sandsend, though the name "East Row" remains as a street name.

My understanding is the alum works was a 19th century development, by which time my folks had left for warmer climes (Bedlington Ironworks).  So it's specifically the 18th century I'm looking at for now. (Hopefully earlier too, once I can trace the people back. A wee plug for William Linton m Mary Saunderson 1728 Lythe - that's my earliest date just now, if anyone can help me trace back from it.)

Back on the 18th century, I know there was plenty shipbuilding in Whitby around then and James Cook was there for a while - maybe that's the industry my "roper" was involved with.

[ThrelfallYorky]

Well....boats were built at East Row area, if you look at the images on the second site I suggested. But then ropeworks were at lots of places - in Leyburn there's a "Ropeworks".
Fascinating, browsing through, though.
I'll have a little hunt after William & Mary when I've a spot of time.
Happy hunting
TY