Church Farm, Billingham, Stockton, Durham

[paulH01]

A friend of mine can find some references to her 19th century ancestors in newspaper articles and census entries as 'Church Farm, Billingham'.

Does anyone happen to know whereabouts it is in relation to Billingham or know anything else about it?

Thanks!

[Thunder]

Your best bet is to contact the Durham Archives office or to find a copy of a map of the village of Billingham which may be online. The Victoria County History for County Durham (if one has been published) may mention it. I can't see anything on line. Have you tried the National Archives Discovery catalogue?. The farm should be on the Census.

[Erm79]

I think farms (but not their names) might be marked on Ordnance Survey maps which could give you a starting point. The National Library of Scotland has digitised the ONS maps for the UK. If you search by Billingham or Stockton you'll be able to see the surrounding area easily. It also has an overlay feature so you can see where things are now on a modern map.

https://maps.nls.uk/os/

[Mick Loney]

If you can find the farm on 1939 register on Ancestry, their results display a map showing roughly where it is. Furthermore, you can choose which period of map to display, including a modern day one. Look at the historical maps provided, and the farm may be shown.
Failing that, look at the census you do have, and see where adjacent entries are. You never know, the farm may be listed between two street addresses, which may give you a clue as to where the farm was actually located

[jonwarrn]

If you can find the farm on 1939 register on Ancestry

It was probably long gone by then.
The Harrisons are at Church Farm in 1881, as per newspaper mentions, it's followed by 1-5 The Hollies, then Chapel Row.
And is preceded by Front and Back Row, and they are enumerated after the Vicarage, inhabited by Philip Rudd, Vicar of Billingham.

The Hollies, Chapel Road seem to be still there today, next to the Billingham Social Club!
So you can find them on google maps, close to "The Smiths Arms", just north of the parish church, St Cuthbert's.

Church Farm should have been close to St Cuthbert's Church? Might make sense.

I think farms (but not their names) might be marked on Ordnance Survey maps which could give you a starting point. The National Library of Scotland has digitised the ONS maps for the UK.

So this is part of Billingham in 1897
https://maps.nls.uk/view/120938940

Where you can see the Church, etc, on the top left of map.

And again in 1913, a lot of building has taken place over that area
https://maps.nls.uk/view/120938943

[jonwarrn]

1891 census, Billingham
The Salutation Inn is followed by West Row.
Then by George Harrison, 35, Farmer, at Churchlands Farm (piece 4054 folio 93 page 5)
Then Philip Rudd, still the Vicar of Billingham, is at The Vicarage.

In ED 60, with a description, which does not mention the farm.

Going back to 1871 for the Harrison family
Stockton Road, Billingham
James Harrison, 51, Farmer 130 acres employing 5 men

[jonwarrn]

Church Farm still there in 1911.
Perhaps it will cling on to 1939 after all!
Edwin Maughan, 45, Farmer, and family.
Follows from Wilson Terrace.
After is the empty Church, and then the Hollies.

Edwin listed at Church Farm in the 1914 Durham Directory (last one I can see on ancestry)
There was also a Glebe Farm in Chapel Road (Thomas Dixon in 1911). The farmhouse is now a listed building.

[avaline]

Based on the 'landmark' locations of St Cuthbert's Church, the Methodist Chapel, and The Hollies (Chapel Road), I think the farm will have been in close proximity to what is now Billingham Bypass Road. It certainly seems to have been in 'old' Billingham.

Picture Stockton has several photos of Glebe Farm & the Dixon family (as mentioned by Jonwarrn), but not of Church Farm unfortunately.

Stockton reference library may be able to help (they have a dedicated family / local history area), or Teesside Archives in Middlesbrough - although the latter is in the process of packing up to move premises.

ADDED: Edwin Maughan was still on the electoral register at Church Farm in 1922. In December 1922 the Ripon Observer reported that he'd bought the 95.5 acre Burneston Old Hall Farm for £4,450. He died in 1925.

So Church Farm either changed hands or ceased being a farm around 1922.

[paulH01]

Thank you everyone for your help!