Looking for any information on the following BROOKS siblings. Flora Stewart BROOKS (26) married George William SAYER(32) at the Guisbro Primitive Methodist Church, on October 16 1907. George's occupation is given as a platelayer. James Stewart BROOKS(28) married Alice JONES(30) at the same church, on March 22nd 1920. James occupation is given as grocer. The address of both Flora and her brother James is given as Aysdale Gate, Stanghow. It appears that Aysdale Gate may have been a farm, about 3 miles from Guisbro. Their father's occupation is given as blacksmith, on the farm, perhaps? If anyone can help me to find anything about these couples, it would be much appreciated. Many thanks Ailsa Petrie -- Hamilton New Zealand

Ailsa, I think it more likely that the father was a blacksmith at Aysdalegate Mine. The mine at Aysdalegate was an ironstone mine and was active from 1864 to 1882 under the ownership of W.Barningham and Company of Darlington. The royalty ownership passed to Sir B Samuelson and Company in 1907 and to Dorman, Long and Company in 1918. The mine ceased production in 1880 but the shafts were kept active as ventilation shafts for the nearby Spawood Mine which was worked until 1933. My own great-great grandfather, Henry Woods, was living at Aysdalegate Pit in the 1891 census. Also, if you haven't already considered this, I suspect that Flora's and James's mother's maiden surname was probably Stewart. The use of a maiden surname as a middle forename was very common in the East Cleveland mining communities. Knowing this has opened new leads in my researches many times in the past. kindest regards, Peter Appleton