"Byker and Newcastle Area"

"Roxburgh and Border Area"

"Newcastle, or Newcastle-upon-Tyne.   It is situated among steep hills, on the Tyne, which is here a fine and deep river; so that ships of 3 or 4 hundred tons burden may safely come up to the town, though the large colliers are stationed at Shields.  It is a very secure haven, and is defended by Clifford's Fort, which effectually commands all vessels that enter the river.  The town may be considered as divided into two parts, of which Gateshead, on the Durham side, is one; and both are joined by a fine stone bridge consisting of 9 arches.  The town rises on the north bank of the river, where the streets upon the ascent are exceedingly steep.  Many of the houses are built of stone, but some of them are timber, and the rest of brick.  The castle, which is old and ruinous, overlooks the whole town.  The exchange, church-houses, and other public buildings, are elegant; and the quay for landing goods is long and large.  Here is a hall for the surgeons, a large hospital, built by the contribution of the keel-men, for the maintenance of the poor of their fraternity; and several other charitable foundations.  It is situated in the centre of the great collieries, which have for centuries supplied London, all the eastern, and some of the midland and southern parts of the kingdom with coal.  This trade has been the source of great opulence to Newcastle; which, besides, exports large quantities of lead, salt, salmon, butter, tallow, and grindstones.  Ships are sent hence to the Greenland fishery.  It also possesses manufactories of steel, iron, and woollen cloth; and in the town and neighbourhood are several glass-houses.  The streets in the old part of Newcastle are unsightly and narrow, but the newer parts are handsome and commodious.  Newcastle is 270 miles from London. Markets, Tuesday and Saturday.  Population, 49,860."  [From Barclay's Complete and Universal English Dictionary, 1842]

The Industrial Revolution transformed Byker within 60 years from a quiet little village into a large and rapidly expanding town of over 40,000 people.  In 1853 Sir Matthew Ridley sold an acre of land as a site for Byker Parish Church, and the building was consecrated on 11 March 1863.  The architechture is in the 'Decorated' style, and the building has a pleasant, well proportioned interior.  The north aisle was added in 1936, using materials from the then recently demolished St Peter's Church in Oxford Street, Newcastle.  The church, with its imposing 79-foot spire, is set on what is believed to be the highest point in Newcastle, and is thus a prominent landmark in the East end.  More than £50,000 has been spent on the church in recent years, to preserve its use for many years to come in the new Byker housing development. [The Newcastle Diocesan Gazetteer (1982), page 66.]

"Roxburgh, a parish in the lower part of Teviotdale, Roxburghshire.  It contains the village of Roxburgh and the post-office village of Heiton, and approaches within 1 1/2 mile of the post-town of Kelso.  It is bounded by the parishes of Makerston, Kelso, Eckford, Crailing, Ancrum, and Maxton.  Its length east-north-eastward is about 8 miles; and its breadth varies from 1 mile to 5 miles."  [From the Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, edited by John Marius Wilson, 1868}.

Comment:  Most of the information for this Branch was provided by the researcher from the family bible.  The earliest ancestor is from the Byker area of Newcastle and is probably linked to more than one of the branches that have connections with the area, including 30D,30G and 30J.

You may view the family tree for this Branch here. 

You may view the family tree for Branch 30D here. 

You may view the family tree for Branch 30G here. 

You may view the family tree for Branch 30J here.