I've written up a piece on one of the most important sites in Newcastle, which took the city's name far and wide. It's just passed its 200th anniversary too. Stephenson's Forth Banks Works are now available to read on Patreon! Link below

Stephenson's Works, Forth Banks - a Forged History | North East Heritage Library

Stephenson's Works, Forth Banks - a Forged History by North East Heritage Library on Patreon. Join North East Heritage Library's community for exclusive content and updates.

patreon.com

A M Fowler's Fish Market, guarded by Neptune himself, is now on the site as its own entry. You wouldn't know today that this place had its very own railway sidings, and you'd never know Dobson designed its forefather! Link below

A little late this month (a few issues - sorry!) but I’m so excited for patrons to get their hands on this stunning new read out by Louise. Pits, the dogs and proper working class communities set the scene for her debut novel. I can’t bloody wait to read.

Morning! Off for my theory test this morning wish me luck). Just noticed a relatively modern sign on one of the Newcastle towers of the Tyne Bridge, referencing the lift up for buses. Was it really in use until the 60s/70s?

Now on the site as its own entry. Interested to read on the listing that John Dobson potentially supported in its construction - I'm guessing for the piers? Why would they need him with Stephenson and T E Harrison involved? Who knows... Link below.

The High Level Bridge - I'd argue Tyneside's first visual marker into modernity. It's a pioneer too - the first bridge in the world to feature a twin deck for 2 separate modes, designed by 2 of the most brilliant minds Britain has ever borne. Free to read on Patreon!

Had time to add another report onto the Inquest Archive last night. In September 1839 John Hall, who worked at Walker Brickworks, was struck by lightning at work and fell to the ground soon after leading to his unfortunate demise. He left a widow and 2 children.

It's a bit fishy over on the Patreon as we document the history of the Quayside fish markets, from Dobson's old semi circular market of the 1820s to the beautiful red brick build guarded by Neptune from 1880. Free to read!

Genealogy folk - not sure if this is a dumb question but why have we ended up with multiple variants for Wilson, Williams, Williamson, Wills? Was it pure family choice & preference? Geographic variation?

I've added Swan Hunter's Southwick works to the Shipbuilding Archive, where their overflow contracts were built - including cargo steamers for the Great Lakes and war contracts. This is also where Sunderland's famous concrete tugs were made. Link below (top of both pics)

Throwing out the greatest hits! The Swing Bridge now has its own entry on the site too. The latest in a string of crossings dating to the Romans on this site, it solved the bottleneck caused by Tyneside's own success - making for an integral part of today's riverscape.

Bridge 2, electric boogaloo. The Swing(less) Bridge is now on the Patreon as a free read. Link below

Kieran - North East Heritage Library@neheritagelib.bsky.social · 3w ago

Ok so.... one I've been avoiding for 6 years! Here goes - though if you want a defining history read The Tyne Bridge book by Paul Brown! 😂 the Tyne Bridge then - a landmark of familiarity and civic pride that is only a century old.

Job done - the project can finish now! I've added an entry on the Tyne Bridge - no explanation really needed. Link below.

2 updates to the Shipbuilding Archive today. One yet another builder at South Hylton and the 2nd Thomas Rowntree. who potentially built the first steam vessel some 13 years before the Experiment. His grandson went on to be a well known politician in Australia. Link below

Morning all - the map provider on the website now require an API key, so it's showing a watermark over all the photos. I'm working on this and an update should be on the website in the next couple weeks. Still usable though!

Couple of additions to the Sports Archive this morning, namely the Humshaugh Cricket Ground and a short lived football club at Capheaton. Both from around 1894. www.northeastheritagelibrary.co.uk/sportsarchive

Ok so.... one I've been avoiding for 6 years! Here goes - though if you want a defining history read The Tyne Bridge book by Paul Brown! 😂 the Tyne Bridge then - a landmark of familiarity and civic pride that is only a century old.

Morning! Sneaked a new addition onto the site this morn. The lovely 18th century (with a period facade added later) Custom House on the Quayside, one of the few survivors of the Great Fire. Like Grey Street, it's actually just brick underneath that stone. Link below.

Today's free Patreon post is on this - The front desk of the Tyne. This is Newcastle's own 18th century Customs House (though the frontage is, deceivingly, much later). A stalwart of the Quayside being one of the few to survive the Great Fire of 1854. Link below

New entry on the site! I've added the Co-Op warehouse, more known as Malmaison these days, which used to pose as the CWS bonded stores for provisions, drapery and boots for the wider region. It's one of the few industrial buildings saved this end of the Quayside. Link below

There is a Northeast liveried plane at the North East transport museum next to Nissan in Sunderland. Just off the A1290. The main fuselage seems intact and the steps suggest you can get inside.

Lads, please can we bring back Northeast - Newcastle’s own airline? Used to be able to fly from Newcastle to Santander and Basel in one of these bad boys, or even a Vickers Viscount until they merged into British Airways. That livery is bloody stunning.

Some further inquests added to the Inquest Archive last night through Oct and Nov 1839: - Workhouse apoplexy - A fall from a great height on Elswick Lane - A sad petticoat fire at Pandon and more, totaling 549 seperate cases. Link below

The beautiful old Co-Operative Society Warehouse on the Quayside. Beautiful Portland Stone? No, better! Only one of the earliest surviving ferro concrete buildings in Britain (with the other a derelict warehouse in 'ull). Today's free read on Patreon - link below!

This is a cool idea for oral histories and the like. Regarding physical shipyards and their histories, you can take a look at our Shipbuilding Archive which documents every yard on the Tyne. If you’re interested in vessels - Tyne Built Ships is a must! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

North East shipbuilding archive hopes to preserve memories

While campaigners in the North East wait for funding for a museum, an online archive is launched.

bbc.co.uk

Good morning! I've added an incredibly meaty (or grainy) entry to the site on the old Grain & General Warehouse - once one of the largest brick buildings in Europe which persisted here for nearly a century. It featured an ingenious set of lifts too. Link below

Today's free Patreon post is on Newcastle's old Grain Warehouse, formerly one of the largest brick buildings in the world. Grain from Scandinavia and the Baltics was brought here for storage & domestic export. All demolished in the 70s. Link below!

Morning all! September and some of October 1839 are added to the Inquest Archive, featuring a gentleman deemed (after 3 adjourned hearings) to have been thrown from a third storey brothel on Silver Street by 2 men. 540 inquests to read on the link below.

Good morning! I've added the old Glasshouse Bridge to the site this morning - the 17th century crossing between the dense glasshouse works and what was then Northumberland to the east. Demolished in 1908 for quay works. Link below.

Smashing new resources alert! tyneseyed.org/map?layer=wr... Covers shipwrecks on the North East coastline.

Live map of North & South Tyneside

Crime, planning, sewage overflows, power cuts, buses, tides, traffic, shipwrecks and more — on one live map.

tyneseyed.org