Thomas Stainsby was the first child of William Stainsby & Jane Stephenson born November 5th, 1876 at Benson St, Linthorpe & christened December 8th, 1876 at Linthorpe.
In 1881 Thomas was living at Benson St, Linthorpe with his parents & sisters Edith (2) & Nellie (9 months).
In 1891 Thomas was still living at home at Newport Rd, Middlesbrough. As well as Edith & Nellie also at home were children Joseph (8), Mary E (6), George (4) & John (1).
In 1901 Thomas’s parents were living at 3 Leechmere Rd, Ryhope, Co Durham & the children at home were Thomas, a bricklayer’s labourer, Nellie, a finisher at the papermill, Joseph, a bricklayer’s apprentice, Mary Emily, a pupil teacher, George, John & a new arrival Jennie (9).
Thomas, known as Tom, married Julia Gibbon on June 21st, 1902 at St Paul’s, Ryhope. Julia was born April-June, 1874 at Sunderland, the daughter of Sarah & Timothy Joseph Gibbon, a labourer. Tom’s occupation at the time of the wedding was given as a timekeeper & Julie was a paper finisher. Tom was living at 3 Leechmere Rd & Julia at 6 Spelter Works Rd, Grangetown. Witnesses at the wedding were Oswald R Gibbon, Julia’s brother, & Nellie Stainsby, Tom’s sister.
Tom, who worked as a gas stoker, & Julia initially lived at 4 Stockton Terr, Grangetown, then moved to 22 Randolph St, Grangetown before settling at 11 Royle St, Grangetown by 1908.
In 1911 Tom & Julia were still at 11 Royle St & Tom was a gas stoker. They had 3 children at home – Norah (5), Joseph (3) & George (10 months). They had sadly lost son William who only lived for a few months.
Daughter Norah married Harry Valentine Golightly on October 6th, 1934 at St Aidan’s, Grangetown. Harry was presumably named Valentine as he was born on February 14th, 1904!
The 1939 register shows Tom & Julia at 11 Royle St & Tom was a stoker in the gas works. With them was son Thomas who was not employed. Son George & his wife Dorothy & baby son Michael were living at 65 Station Rd, Thirsk, N. Yorks in 1939 & George was described as clerk of works at RAF station Topcliffe, Yorks.
Tom & Julia continued to live at 11 Royle St until at least 1945. Julia is remembered by nephew Eric Earnshaw as a tall lady, severely dressed in black who was a good cook & made cakes as a reward for the cast of plays put on in St Aidan's church hall.
Thomas died, aged 74, at the General Hospital, Sunderland on January 2nd, 1951. Administration of his estate was granted to daughter Norah Golightly & son Thomas Stainsby, of no occupation. His effects were £1322.14s.8d.
Julia died, aged 84, at the General Hospital, Ryhope on November 21st, 1958. Administration of her estate was granted to daughter Norah Golightly & her effects were £486.5s.5d.
The children of Thomas Stainsby & Julia Gibbon were:
sb.6.5.1.1. William Stainsby born May 22nd, 1903 at 4 Stockton Terr, Grangetown
& christened June 11th, 1903 at St Paul’s, Ryhope; died Oct-December 1903 at Grangetown
sb.6.5.1.2. Norah Stainsby born October 28th, 1905 at 22 Randolph St, Grangetown
& christened November 30th, 1905 at St Paul’s, Ryhope; died May 1985 at South Shields
sb.6.5.1.3. Joseph Stainsby born at 11 Royle St, Grangetown & christened
July 9th, 1908 at St Aidan’s, Grangetown
sb.6.5.1.4. George Stainsby born May 12th, 1910 at 11 Royle St, Grangetown
& christened June 7th, 1910 at St Aidan’s, Grangetown
sb.6.5.1.5. Thomas Stainsby born at 11 Royle St, Grangetown on February 14th,
1913, & christened April 15th, 1913 at St Aidan’s, Grangetown