When I posted my mystery negatives last week, I thought people might be able to identify the location eventually if I was very lucky, but assumed the chance of ever knowing who any of the people are were was virtually non-existent. However with the huge help of Norman Dunn and the Hebburn message board lots of progress has been made.

They were very quickly identified as being taken in Jarrow, but now a photo clearly taken in 1905 on the same day of the same family has emerged from a book.

This names them as Jane Elizabeth Hill and her children Raymond, Florrie and Lillie, who can be seen again in this studio portrait.

Their father John Edwin Hill being the town hatter, I don’t think its too much of a jump to say this is probably him with the same children on the same studio chair, although perhaps looking a little younger ?

This has really shown me the huge powers of the internet and I thank everyone involved for their help again. I have donated the box of slides to Norman so he can continue his investigations on their home town.

Unfortunately they were not local to Teesside, but I have been able to confirm this location as St Pauls in Jarrow with the help of Norman Dunn and the people who added to the comments.

Once the second image is flipped the right way its very close to this image from Newcastle Libraries (which I would guess is taken from the bridge in my photo)

This 1896 street plan also shows two rows of houses that tie in

I suppose this is slightly off topic, but these glass plate negatives were purchased at Saltburn Salerooms with some old cameras. Therefore there’s a slim chance they are local.






They were covered in dust and mold and had clearly been allowed to get wet at some point. Any comments on what period the clothing dates them to would be welcome.






Its a shame putting names to any of the faces will now be virtually impossible, as i’m sure the plates would be worth their weight in gold to the descendants of those pictured.

Another away day from Teesside, but theres a Teesside link.

This bridge in Filey was built by Cleveland Bridge in 1894

The observatory was opened by Sir Arnold Wolfendale on 9th February 1994. It currently contains a 19-inch reflector telescope. There’s also a planetarium nearby

Its regularly used by the Cleveland and Darlington Astronomical Society and public meets happen on the first and third Friday of the month, September to April.

“Sea Jack” has appeared this week to start erecting an offshore windfarm
It instantly gathered many complaints due to the noise it was making, perhaps thats what these gentlemen were monitoring the next day.

Reports of mysterious earthquakes or sonic booms were then reported on Wednesday, which surely must be linked.

Sea Jack
Year Built: 2003
Length x Breadth: 95 m X 33 m
Gross Tonnage: 5769, DeadWeight: 4579 t
Flag: Denmark [DK]
Call Sign: OXKR2

The fountain and troughs near the end of Grinkle Lane are a Grade II listed structure, although the sandstone is heavily eroded the 1873 date can still be seen although the rest of the wording is now difficult to read.

The initials “MGM” can be seen above the lions head, theres also “MLC”and “KLM” but there are heavily eroded now.

It was erected to the memory of Rev. Dr. Robert Morehead and Margaret his wife, by five sisters who were their grandaughters.

Rev. Dr. Morehead died at Easington Rectory on the 13th December 1842 aged 65. He produced much literary work, some of which can be found on Google Books He was born in Scotland as the 3rd laird of Herbertshire on 19 March 1777. Attended Balliol College at Oxford and became the Dean of Edinburgh. He married Margaret Wilson on 27 November 1804 and they had four sons: William Ambrose, Charles, Robert Archibald Alison, and George Jeffrey.

This water wheel dates from around 1850 and was part of Fidlers Mill, which was only demolished as recently as 1983.


The actual location of mill was under the co-op car park, and its thought a mill existed on that site since the times of the Domesday book.