Contributor Leaderboard

Does anyone remember the little kiosk at the side of the pub? Around 1967. My dad used to cycle up there from Stead Lane every Sunday evening and buy us a block of ice cream and wafers. Mum, dad and I would sit by the fire and have one thick sandwich and one thin sandwich each. Funny how you remember the simple things.

Hello @CathAC. Welcome to the forum. You may already have this information but if not it may help you to move forward in your search. Arthur Smith was born in South Shields 20 DEC 1903 to parents Robert and Henrietta Smith both born in Cornwall. Arthur was one of 10 children but three had died by 1911. By then Arthur had reached the age of 7 years. His siblings in 1911 were: Willie 20 yo, Thomas 14 yo, Ernest 12 yo and Jane 19 yo married to Alexander Fitzgerald. The family are living in 4 rooms at 39 Howard Row, Netherton Colliery. (I was born at number 44, though many years later). The father, Robert, his older sons and his son-in-law are all mine workers- presumably at Howard Pit, Netherton Colliery, who owned the houses. In 1939 Arthur has left Netherton and is, as you know, now married. I read his wife’s name as ”Thomasina”, a very popular name at the time (some old handwritten records are difficult to read and are quite often wrongly transcribed). Thomasina was born 07 NOV 1905 and the couple have one child, a daughter Margaret born 05 OCT 1929. She is now at school. The family is living in the Sleekburn area at 4½ Storeys Buildings. I don’t know exactly where that was but I can see that it was near to The Railway Inn. It may or may not be relevant but six doors along the road is a family called Cracket: Widower Thomas, retired coal miner, born 17 SEP 1865 and what appear to be two single male relatives, George born 08 JUL 1898 and William born 15 MAY 1912. Both are mine workers. Hope this can help you on your way. If you'd like the documents from where I've taken this info let me know and I'll send them in a direct message.