Bertha Stephenson was the fourth child of William George Stephenson & Margaret Jean Gaudie christened May 16th, 1877 at St John’s, Darlington, Co Durham.
By 1881 the family were living at 64 Holgate Rd, York where her father was an auditor for the North Eastern Railway & Bertha had 2 sisters & an older brother.
In 1891 Bertha was still living at home, now Holgate Crescent, York. Bertha’s mother died later that year.
Bertha was still at home with her widowed father in 1901 as was her sister Muriel. They were now living at St Pauls Square, York.
Bertha married William Blain on August 11th, 1909 at St Cuthbert’s, Darlington. William was born January 5th, 1863 at South Shields, Co Durham, the son of Dorothy & William Blain, a shipowner.
In 1911 Bertha & William were living at 1 Harewood Grove, Darlington & William was an assistant school master. They had had 1 child who sadly had died.
The 1939 register shows Bertha & William living at 58 Vane Terrace, Darlington & William was still a schoolmaster. Interestingly Berth’s birth date was given as April 15th, 1885!
William aged 77 died on February 14th, 1940 at Cleveland Nursing Home, Darlington. Probate was granted to widow Bertha & son Gordon, coal mines scheme assistant secretary, & Marshall Dryden, architect. His effects were £1,026.16s.7d.
Bertha of Barton End Old Peoples Home Headington, Oxford died July 9th, 1964 at Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford. Probate was granted to son Gordon, fuel supplies officer, & her effects were £747.
The children of Bertha Stephenson & William Blain were:
s.4.1.1.4.1 Geoffrey William Blain born July-September 1910 in Darlington; died July-September 1910 at Darlington
s.4.1.1.4.2 Gordon Blain born Jan-March 1912 in Darlington