Shipyard Founder - John Readhead

This is the Family Tree I have been able to put together from all of the Census Returns;-

Descendants of John Readhead
Generation No. 1
1. JOHN READHEAD was born 1819 in Earsdon, Northumberland (Source: 1851 Census.), and died Abt. 1894 in South Shields, County Durham (Source: FreeBMD.). He married SUSANNAH RICHARDSON at St. Hilda's Church, South Shields on 20 November 1842. She was born 1819 in Whitby, North Yorkshire (Source: 1851 Census.), and died Abt. 1887 in South Shields, County Durham (Source: FreeBMD.).
More About JOHN READHEAD:
Occupation: 1851, Engineer
Residence: 1851, Mitre Street, South Shields
Children of JOHN READHEAD and SUSANNAH are:
2. i. ROBERT READHEAD, b. 1843, South Shields, County Durham; d. 24 Jul 1922.
ii. MARY ANN READHEAD, b. 1846, South Shields, County Durham (Source: 1851 Census.).
iii. THOMAS RICHARDSON READHEAD, b. 1849, South Shields, County Durham (Source: 1851 Census.).
3. iv. JOHN READHEAD, b. 29th Nov 1849, South Shields, County Durham; d. 23 Dec 1926.
4. v. JAMES READHEAD, b. 1852, South Shields, County Durham.
vi. SUSANNAH READHEAD, b. 1855, South Shields, County Durham.
vii. WILLIAM BELL READHEAD, b. 1861, South Shields, County Durham (Source: FreeBMD.).
Generation No. 2
2. ROBERT READHEAD was born 1843 in South Shields, County Durham (Source: (1) 1851 Census., (2) 1901 Census., (3) 1891 Census.), and died 24 Jul 1922. He married MARY. She was born 1845 in South Shields, County Durham (Source: (1) 1901 Census., (2) 1891 Census.).
More About ROBERT READHEAD:
Occupation: 1901, Iron Shipbuilder - Employer
Residence: 1901, Southgarth, Westoe Village, South Shields
More About MARY & ROBERT:
Staying at Savoy Hotel, St Clement Danes, London in 1891 Census.
Child of ROBERT READHEAD and MARY is:
i. ROBERT READHEAD, b. 1873, South Shields, County Durham (Source: 1901 Census.).
More About ROBERT READHEAD:
Occupation: 1901, Under Graduate at Oxford
3. JOHN READHEAD was born 29th Nov 1849 in South Shields, County Durham (Source: (1) 1851 Census., (2) 1891 Census.), and died 23 Dec 1926. He married ISA. She was born 1853 in South Shields, County Durham (Source: 1891 Census.), and died 04 Mar 1931.
More About JOHN READHEAD:
Occupation: 1891, Engineer
Residence: 1891, 4 Salisbury Place, South Shields
Children of JOHN READHEAD and ISA are:
i. JOHN READHEAD, b. 1877, South Shields, County Durham (Source: 1891 Census.).
ii. GEORGE TINDLE READHEAD, b. 1878, South Shields, County Durham (Source: 1891 Census.); d. 02 Jun 1936; m. HARRIET ELAINE WHITFIELD, 1905, South Shields, County Durham (Source: FreeBMD.).
iii. EVELYN READHEAD, b. 1883, South Shields, County Durham (Source: 1891 Census.).
iv. MURIEL READHEAD, b. 1896, South Shields, County Durham.
4. JAMES READHEAD was born 1852 in South Shields, County Durham (Source: 1851 Census.). He married ANN S.
Children of JAMES READHEAD and ANN S are:
5. i. Baronet JAMES HALDER READHEAD, b. 1879, South Shields, County Durham; d. 08 May 1940.
ii. HENRY READHEAD, b. 1880, South Shields, County Durham.
iii. MARY READHEAD, b. 1881.
iv. STANLEY READHEAD, b. 1882.
v. ELSIE READHEAD, b. 1884, South Shields.
vi. HAROLD READHEAD, b. 1887, South Shields.
Generation No. 3
5. Baronet JAMES HALDER READHEAD was born 1879 in South Shields, County Durham, and died 08 May 1940. He married Lady MARY EVELYN 1906 in South Shields, County Durham (Source: FreeBMD.). She was born 1882, and died 26 Oct 1953.
Child of JAMES READHEAD and MARY EVELYN is:
6. i. RITA READHEAD, b. 1912; d. 09 Nov 1948.
Generation No. 4
6. RITA READHEAD was born 1912, and died 09 Nov 1948. She married MR COATSWORTH.
Children of RITA READHEAD and MR COATSWORTH are:
i. HUGH JAMES COATSWORTH, b. 1940; d. 10 Dec 1950.
ii. FIRST COATSWORTH.

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South Shields High School Entries

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Emails from Readhead descendants;-

John Readhead
I'm a direct descendant of JPR, my name is spelt exactly the same, and from what I can gather John Philip Readhead was my great great Uncle. On my visit to South Shields in 1980 as a 23 year old Aussie boy I arrived at the pub opposite the main gate. It was lunchtime, no one in sight and I and my young bride ordered 2 beers. We were the only two people in the pub, but the barman started pouring pint after pint after pint after pint until their seemed to be dozens of these glistening glasses full of beer along the bar... I thought he was just taking "the mickey" out of me... a naive aussie lost in South Shields... suddenly the siren sounded from the shipyard and all these blokes came through the door...the beers were for them... they all had my name on their overalls J P Readhead & Sons. Too scared to say who I was, (they may've wanted a pay rise!, I snuck out the door It was an experience I'll never forget.) I remember the crane opposite also had my name John P Readhead written up its spine... I still have the photo... so its been great to find a website all about my great great uncle. Keep up the good work. (My dad always said I was named after a Sir John Readhead and it took a lot of persuading that he wasn't lying!) Cheers (and I hope to get back to South Shields one day soon, ... is the pub still there?) Cheers John Readhead

Rodney Towers
Dear John
Earlier this week I was alerted quite independantly by three relatives and friends living in the North East about an article in The Chronicle July 25th and also a letter from you published in The Journal ( I think ) of the same date, each giving details of the website you have set up for JR & S ex emplyees etc., and suggesting that I contact you.
I have had a look at your website and am delighted to learn about your initiative in setting this up.
However the meat of this message is to let you know that I am still holding quite a lot of JR&S historical information, which include the souvenir booklet of the King & Queen's visit in April 1943; the company booklet of 1948, and the Centenary publication, 1865 - 1965, which I wrote, and which you probably still have yourself. I did have a full list of all ships built but cannot lay my hands on that immediately but, if I can find it, this would fill up all the gaps in your website list. And there is other material and also some photos, which I will try and pull together.
Anyway I shall be delighted to help you and fully support your project.
You can contact me any time via email or by phone
I am still involved with the marine business on a part time basis via the consultancy company.
with best regards
Rodney Towers

John Richard Readhead Wood
My father (John Philip Readhead Wood) found your advert in the Journal concerning Readheads. He asked me to look at the website and contact you. He is the 3rd child of Muriel Isobel Wood (Nee Readhead). She married John Ronald Wood. My father had 2 elder sisters Elizabeth Bulmer (nee Wood) and Anne Wood (nee Swallow).
My father has quite a collection of Readheads photos including some photos of King Georges visit.
Both my grandmother (Muriel Isobel) and my Aunt (Elizabeth) launched ships. I attended the launch of the Serbistan with my Grandmother in 1966. I would be 7 years old. I have attached a photo. My father has marked the picture to show where I am standing.
I live in Turkey, with my wife, where I work as the international development director of a company. My full name is John Richard Readhead Wood.I think that my Grandmother was determined to see the Readhead name continue in our family line. I shortened the name at school and am
now just known as Ric Wood. The full name in Geordie vernacular was a right 'gob full'.
I started my working life as a navigator with Cunard. Initially serving on the Saxonia! Sadly not the same as built at Readheads but the next generation. I often meet people who have worked in the yard and all have fond memories.
I am sure my father would enjoy the opportunity to talk with you. He does not have access to the net nor do I ever imagine that he will but I he will certainly be happy to talk.
The web site looks good.
Very best wishes,
Ric Wood