Genealogy Blog

William Richard Thomas Oakes (1869 - 1955)

James Birkett (1859 - 1921)

Ann-Mary Tate (1878 - 19/05/1962)

Ann was born in Newcastle abt1878. Daughter of Christopher Tate (1833 - ?) and Ann Tinline (1841 - ?). She had an older sister called Margaretta Jane Tate (1875 - 1967) and a younger brother called Christopher William Tate (1880 - 1955).

In 1891 she lived at 8 Stowell Square, St Johns, Newcastle upon Tyne. Along with her parents and two siblings.

She wed in 1897 to William Richard Thomas Oakes at St James Church, Atkinson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. After they wed they moved to 4 William Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne (Arthurs hill). They had two children, Andrew and Christopher. Also possibly a third called George. In 1901 though, they had the two children and also living with them at the time were Ann-Mary’s parents, Christopher and Ann Tate as well as their son and her brother in law, Chris W Tate.

1909 seen the birth of Edith Margaret Oakes on 25/07/1909. At this time they lived at 142 Mill Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne.

In her years, Ann-Mary may also have been known as Polly.

Ann-Mary passed away 19th May 1962, aged 84.

Being born towards the end of the 19th century in Newcastle meant being born into a city that was expanding in population by the day. Ship building was expanding with the likes of Mitchells yard in Walker and late the coming together of Swan & Hunter and then age of the Steam-Turbine engine by Parson.

Armstrongs factory had secured work from the government on arms after the Crimea war in particular of a replacement field cannon that was lighter and more accurate.  While Mitchells yard would be building Warships, Armstrongs would be shipping big naval guns up to them.  No surprise then when the companies merged and the Armstrong naval yard opened at Elswick in 1882.  Then, the light bulb was invented (arguably by local Joseph Swan, though a claim was also made by the American Edison.  The two would come together years later).

This huge industrial activity brought workers from all over the British Isles in particular from Scotland and Ireland.  Between the census of 1851 and 1881 the population of Newcastle upon Tyne grew from 87K to over 149K.  Working class families were crowded into small houses or flats with little or no amenities and sanitation.

The surrounding area’s also of course had the coal mines.  On looking at the workforces during this time, plentiful were engineers, miners. labourers and so on.  Yet still, much support was needed for these people in commerce, cleaning, food outlets etc.  So while the edges of the city thrived in industry the centre was built around commerce.

This period could not go by without also mentioning the football club Newcastle United.  As it was in 1892 that East and West came together.  East the larger and better supported of the two at the time, but West having the land at St James.  The club joined the league in the second division.

Edith Margaret Oakes (25/07/1909 - 18/01/1999)

Edith, my Grandmother. More than that actually.

Edith was born in 1909 daughter of William Richard Thomas Oakes (1869-1955) and Ann Mary Tate (1878-1962). Her siblings were Andrew (b1892), Christopher (b1898 ) and George. Earlier in 1901 they were living at 4 William Street, Westgate, Newcastle. with her mother Anns father (Christopher Tate), mother (Ann Tate) and brother Chris W. Tate.

In her youth she had back problems and would sleep on a door and later a hard bed. She went on to work in a cigarette factory. This set up for life her disgust of cigarettes!

She wed Joseph Birkett and they lived together at 9 Crosshill Road, Newcastle upon Tyne. Their first born sadly died at one day old and would be buried in Elswick Cemetery. However, they went on to have four children. Joseph (b04/09/1940), Joan (b27/08/1942) and twins Lawrence and Paul (b16/08/1947).

Her husband Joseph passed away at home in Jenison Avenue 8th October 1972. Two years later, her son Lawrence moved in with her where she helped raise the two children.

As a family, they moved to West Denton in 1979 and around 1989-90 Edith would move into a bungalow off Stamfordham Road in Fenham.

Edith spent her life as a strong Catholic and well well liked and loved in her church communities. In her later years, suffering from arthritis and being mostly wheelchair bound, she would still find her way to the local church on Stamfordham Road.

Edith passed away in hospital in 1999.

Joseph Birkett (1903 - 1972)

Joseph Birkett was my grandfather. I have no memory of him as he passed away when I was just over 7 months old. I have seen a photo of him which I need to try and get hold of.

Joseph was born in Newcastle upon Tyne on the 18th January 1903. At the time the family was living at 25 Green How Terrace, Elswick. Joseph was the 7th and youngest child. His other siblings were Thomas (b1882) who then worked as a Brickmakers labourer, James (b abt1886) was a Fitters Furnace Apprentice, William (b1888), Mary (b abt1895)., Margaret (b abt1897) and Cornelius (b 1900). His parents were James Birkett who worked as a fire brick setter and Margaret Birkett (nee Turner).

Joseph married Edith Margaret Oakes (25/07/1909 - 18/01/1999). They lived together at 9 Crosshill Road in Newcastle upon Tyne.  Their first born sadly died at one day old and would be buried in Elswick Cemetery.  However, they went on to have four children.  Joseph (b04/09/1940), Joan (b27/08/1942) and twins Lawrence and Paul (b16/08/1947).  Joseph worked as an Engineers Driller.

Later they would move to 23 Jenison Avenue in Pendower, Benwell.

Joseph died at home in Jenison Avenue the 8th October 1972.