Hunter Living Histories

The Ross and Pat Craig Collection contains digitised photographs and oral histories associated with Stockton and the surrounding area.

Ross Craig (1926-2012) was a local historian born in Stockton and dedicated much of his life promoting and conserving the history of Stockton, NSW. He possessed a wealth of knowledge about the suburb and was a founding member of the Stockton Historical Society and co-editor of its magazine. Pat Craig supported her husband’s passion for history, and together they made a great contribution to the Stockton and Newcastle communities.

We thank the Craig Family and the Stockton Historical Society who have kindly donated this research material to Cultural Collections at the University of Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

Thanks also to Vera Deacon for her liaison in attaining this important collection, and to Mr Alf Rigby, whose donation to the Vera Deacon Regional History Fund enabled the thousands of images within the Collection to be shared through the University’s Cultural Collections Flickr site.

There are over 5000 visual sources from the collection available on the UONCC Flickr site. CLICK HERE TO VIEW.

The Ross and Pat Craig Oral History Archive contains four interviews with local residents of Stockton and are available at UONCC SoundCloud. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN

These include:-

Interview by Ross Craig in 1996 with 98 year old Norman Bassan, resident of Stockton. Norman talks about his early years in Sydney, he attended Sydney High School and later joined the ‘Lighthorse’ giving accounts of his and brother Les’ experiences during WWI.

Interview by Ross Craig in 1996 with 94 year old Willie Maher of Douglas Street, Stockton NSW. Willie was born at Ash Island in 1904 and recalls some of his early years, he moved from Hexham to Stockton in 1918 aged 14. He and his wife talk about other Stockton identities such as ‘historian’ and long time resident Norm Bassan. Willie talks about Ash Island, Scott’s Point and the Scott and Mitchell families and there association with Stockton. At 21mins 45sec Willie describes ‘picking coal from foundry’ in early years, work on sea vessels the ‘Wattle’,’Shamrock’ and ‘Blue Bell’. He is asked “do you recall rail on the breakwater?” (36mins 50sec). Willie also recalls working with the Felton family to build housing in Stockton, afterwards was employed at BHP where he stayed for 40 years.

Interview by Ross Craig with Jess Walker and friends about Stockton NSW. The interviewees recall people and places associated with Stockton and significant events such as Lord Kitchener’s visit in 1910 (6min 30sec & 36mins). There is also a general discussion about the formation of suburbs in Newcastle, the ‘Garden Suburbs’ and Quigley Estate at Stockton (10min 45sec). The wreck ‘Adolphe’ recalled (17mins 30sec) and a rare tree in Stockton (only other existing in WA – 21mins). One interviewee mentions the punt ‘Mildred’ built at Walsh Island that she used to catch to school. Ross refers to old Mr Cox telling the story of Corroborees taking place area of Lynn Oval at Stockton (34mins 20sec). Chinese gardens are also discussed (46mins 25sec)

Interview by Ray Esdaile with Jack Jones about the ballast ground at northern Stockton, interview took place 19th September 2001. The interviewee recall people and places associated with Stockton and speaks more specifically about the ballast ground from 9mins 50sec. He describes the how the ballast was unloaded, onto skips (12mins) use of wicker baskets (13mins 45sec). Jack went to local school in Stockton and later Central technical school at Broadmeadow (23mins). He also speaks about the ‘dole huts’ of the 1930s located between the boat shed where his father worked and the coral trees. Describes the various locations of the Post Office in Stockton. Finally he reflects on his career after returning from serving in Borneo during WWII, as a carpenter, fisherman and in retirement helping out his son who has an oyster farm.

LISTING OF THE ROSS & PAT CRAIG COLLECTION OF STOCKTON
Conduit: Pat Craig
Received: 13/2/2013
Accessioned: Peter Trenbath

C2772(i)
CD-ROMS: Photographs of Stockton including Fire Brigade, Ferries, Stockton Colliery,
State Dockyard, Foreshore and Pasha Bulka etc.

C2772(ii)
USB Devices: Five USB devices listed as – NESCA, Owens Family, Pat, Family Tree, Ross (2), Sid, Ted Stanton, Thomson Family, Video, 4 Generations, T200, Aron(sic) and Lisa, Cards, Dad’s Work History, Family, Flowers, Flora, George, Fort Wallace, Hunter on Slip, Kirkaldy Family, Winning, Laurels

C2773(i)
Box containing loose coloured and black and white photographs; 1 small plastic album containing family photographs c.1940s – 2000s

C2773(ii)
Cassette Recording: John Elder Jones, 19/9/08

C2773(iii)
Cassette Recording: Jess Walker n.d.

C2773(iv)
Newspaper Clippings: 1978-1997

C2773(v)
Photocopies of photographs of Stockton, 1920s – 1990s

C2773(vi)
Personal Correspondence of Ross Craig, 1997-2001

C2774(i)
Plastic sleeve folder:  Newcastle Area History – contains photocopied photographs of Stockton and Newcastle, 1880 – 1997

C2774(ii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Walsh Island Dockyard and Engineering Works, 1913-1938

C2774(iii)
Plastic sleeve folder containing:  Walsh island Dockyard 1952-1953, State Dockyard Dyke, 1943-1954, Newcastle Chronology 1770-1985, Ships Registered in Newcastle 1977-1979, Australian Shipping Record 1980-1983, Vehicular Ferries 1984-1991, Early Map of River Islands 1992

C2774(iv)
Plastic sleeve folder:  Stockton Council 1889-1900

C2774(v)
Plastic sleeve folder containing article by Bill Bottomley: The Manila Flotilla – The Car Punts of Newcastle; A history of the Vehicular Ferries on Newcastle Harbour, 2000

C2774(vi)
Plastic sleeve folder: Hunter River Web Site: 2000-2010

C2775(i)
Plastic sleeve folder: Early Newcastle and District – photographs and written material

C2775(ii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Borough of Stockton – First 10 Years – Stockton 1901, and Historical Records of Newcastle 1797-1897

C2775(iii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Stockton Passenger and Vehicle Ferries – 1901-1971

C2775(iv)
Plastic sleeve folder: Early Newcastle Suburban municipalities, Maps, Coal Mines 1822-1910

C2775(v)
Plastic sleeve folder: Rugby League – original typed Reports and Financial Accounts of East Newcastle Rugby League Football Club 1917-1922

C2775(vi)
Plastic sleeve folder: Harbour and Stockton newspaper cuttings, 1906-1946

C2775(vii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Stockton photographs (photocopies), c.1905-1955

C2775(viii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Ash island Title Deeds (photocopies), 1909, Dr James Mitchell, (1792-1869), Alexander Scott (1800-1883), Map of Newcastle, 1889

C2775(ix)
Plastic sleeve folder: Stockton History – Stockton Post Office History 1859-1899 and Ships built in Stockton, 1870-1936

C2775(x)
Plastic sleeve folder: The Story of The Laurels (Historic House), c.1896

C2775(xi)
Plastic sleeve folder: photocopied documents relating to 11 King Street, Stockton, 1916-1935

C2776(i)
Plastic sleeve folder: Walsh Island Dockyard and Dad’s Work History, 1912-1990

C2776(ii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Federal Directory of Newcastle and District 1901 (photocopies)

C2776(iii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Kooragang 1885-2000 (photocopies photographs and written material)

C2776(iv)
Plastic sleeve folder: Early Newcastle 1889-c.1930s (photocopied photographs)

C2776(v)
Plastic sleeve folder: MHC02 Shock Trial Newcastle (Tasman Sea), April to May 1999

C2776(vi)
Booklet: Stockton Thematic History prepared by Rosemary Melville, March 2009

C2776(vii)
Thesis: “Towards the Wage Earners’ Welfare State” – R. Craig, BA(Hons), UoN, 1994

C2776(viii)
Folder: stapled – Early Views of Newcastle 1820-c.1930s (photocopies of photographs)

C2776(ix)
Folder: stapled – 1951 Stockton Mardi Gras – Programme Booklet

C2777(i)
Plastic sleeve folder: Historic Photographs of Stockton 1895-c.1970’s (photocopies)

C2777(ii)
Plastic sleeve folder:L Stockton Industries 1842-1900; Waterfront Photographs (copies); south of Hereford Street (Historic Sites); Stockton Maps

C2777(iii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Early Photographs of Ships (copies) and 3 photocopies of family photos.

C2777(iv)
Plastic sleeve folder: Stockton – Early Photographs and newspaper Cuttings, c.1890s – 1989

C2777(v)
Plastic sleeve folder: as above (Vol. II)

C2777(vi)
Plastic sleeve folder: Building and Street Scenes of Stockton (some original b&w photos c.1960s – 1980s)

C2777(vii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Stockton photographs (copies), c.1910-1980s

C2777(viii)
Video Cassette Recording: State Dockyard, n.d.

C2777(ix)
Video Cassette Recording: Early Newcastle, n.d.

C2778(i)
Plastic sleeve folder: Early Newcastle Photographs, c.1880s – 1980s, including “Then and Now photographs from the Newcastle Morning Herald

C2778(ii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Walsh Island Dockyard: A History as supplied to the Electrical Trades Union, 2002.  Includes scans of various photographs relating to Walsh Island 1928-2002

C2778(iii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Newcastle region Library photographs (copies) c.1895-1972

C2778(iv)
Plastic sleeve folder: Stockton Photographs 1904-1968

C2778(v)
Plastic sleeve folder: Stockton Photographs 1880-c.1960s

C2778(vi)
Plastic sleeve folder: Stockton and Newcastle Area Photographs and Maps, c.1838 and some handwritten autobiographical notes R Craig

C2778(vii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Early Photographs of Stockton and Newcastle, c.1960s – 1990s (copies)

C2778(viii)
Plastic sleeve folder: Newcastle Tourists’ Guide, 1907 (photocopy)

C2778(ix)
Plastic sleeve folder: Newcastle Tourists’ Guide, 1907, Vol. II, (photocopy)

C2778(x)
CD-Rom: Stockton Year By Year, n.d.

C2779(i)
Parsons R, Australian Shipowners and their Fleets, Book 4, 1977

C2779(ii)
Parsons R, Ships Registered at Newcastle Before 1900, 1974

C2779(iii)
Prescott AM, Sydney Ferry Fleets, 1984

C2779(iv)
NSW Government, The State Dockyard 1942-1945

C2779(v)
Craig R, (ed), The History of Merewether, c.1970s

C2779(vi)
Gregory FM, Selected Source Material of the Early History of Newcastle and the Lower Hunter Area, 1981

C2779(vii)
Salt Ash Public School Centenary Booklet, 1983

C2779(viii)
Stockton Public School Centenary Booklet, 1961

C2779(ix)
Monograph: The Hunter Collection, c.1970s

C2779(x)
Morrison R&E, Newcastle NSW, 1979

C2779(xi)
Hartley D, From Fullerton Cove to Motto Farm, 1987

C2779(xii)
Newcastle City Council, The Dawn of a New Era, 1929

C2779(xiii)
Smith CE, Dr James Mitchell, Newcastle History Monograph No. 1, 1966

C2779(xiv)
Branagan DF, Geology and Coal Mining in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle History Monograph No. 6, 1972

C2779(xv)
Turner JW, James and Alexander Brown 1843-1877, Newcastle History Monograph No. 4 1968

C2779(xvi)
Jones G, The Movement For Newcastle’s First Water Supply, Newcastle History Monograph No. 2, 1967

C2779(xvii)
Hamton P, Retail Cooperatives in the Lower Hunter valley, Newcastle History Momograph No. 12, 1986

C2779(xviii)
Public Library of NSW, The NSW Pocket Alamanck 1806, 1966

C2779(xix)
Nashar B, Geology of the Hunter Valley, 1967

C2779(xx)
Harris J, A Line on Newcastle, 1967

C2779(xxi)
Parry E, Early Days of Port Stephens, c.1970s

C2779(xxii)
Bayley W, Hills of Gold, 1953

C2779(xxiii)
Fox L, (ed.) Depression Down Under, 1989

C2779(xxiv)
Catchfire Press, Wood, Brick and Stone: The Making of the Hunter, 2011

C2779(xxv)
Cuthbertson B, In the Wake of Bass and Flinders, 2001

C2779(xxvi)
Blue marbled cardboard covered noteboook belonging to R Craig – listings and notes relating to historical research

C2780(i)
Tawse D & Hudson A, The Guiding Light: Port Stephens Inner Lighthouse, 1998

C2780(ii)
Parsons R, Early Steamships in Australia, 2000

C2780(iii)
Fleming AP, White Towers – The Illawarra Lighthouse, 1972

C2780(iv)
Parsons R, Coals by Ship from Newcastle : The 60 Milers, 2000

C2780(v)
Morpeth progress Association, The Morpeth Story, 1821-1971

C2780(vi)
see C2780(i) – Copy 2

C2780(vii)
Newcastle City Council, Fort Scratchley, 1979

C2780(viii)
Lowndes JG, James Fletcher: The Miners’ Advocate, Newcastle History Monograph 10, 1982

C2780(ix)
Clack EW, The History of Toronto, 3rd Ed., 1990

C2780(x)
St Paul’s – The Seaboard Parish, 1978

C2780(xi)
The Wallaroo and Moonta Mines, 1980

C2780(xii)
Stockton Bowling Club 90th Anniversary Programme, 13 November 2004

C2780(xiii)
Swancott C, Good Old Woy Woy, 2010

C2780(xiv)
Tonks E, Beneath Tidal Water, 1985

C2780(xv)
Bartlett M, The Port Stephens Story, c.80s

C2780(xvi)
Purtell J, The Mosquito Fleet: Hawkesbury River Trade 1794-1994, 1995

C2780(xvii)
Hillier F, Further Down The Back, 1993

C2780(xviii)
Toghulol J, The James Craig, 1979

C2780(xix)
Ahern P, Full Sail Beyond The Three Capes 1898-1925, 2008

C2780(xx)
Clouten KH, Reid’s Mistake: The Story of Lake Macquarie, 1967

C2780(xxi)
England B, The Hunter Valley, c.80s

C2781
Newcastle Family History Society, Burials in Stockton Cemetery, 1890-2005

C2782
Willey SR, Bid the Stranger Welcome 1873-1990

C2783
Armstrong P, From Council to Corporation: NESCA, 2002

C2784
Turner J & Craig R, Stockton Over The Years, 1981

C2785
Turner J & Craig R, Stockton Over The Years, Vol. II,  1984

C2786
Turner J & Craig R, Stockton Over The Years, Vol. II,  1984 (Copy 2)

C2787
Turner J & Craig R, Stockton Over The Years, Vol. III. 1996

C2788
Hartley D, Barrington Tops, 1993

C2789
Lovett B and Barney N, With Camera, Horse and Wagonette: Ralph Snowball, 1989

C2790
Lovett B and Barney N, Yesterday and Today 1990

C2791
Low RA, Switched On in the Hunter, 2004

C2792
Delaney J, The Irish Rebellion and The Settlement of Newcastle 1804, 2004

C2793
Callen T, Bar Safe, 1994

C2794
Rice F&J, Not Just A Stone – HMAS Maitland 1940-1946, 2010

C2795
Fallins HR, Happenings Under Belmont, 1992

C2796
Brady J, Cardinal Red and Royal Blue: Stockton Surf Life Saving 1800-2007, 2008

C2797
Barney N, Bygone Days: Ralph Snowball Collection, 1990

C2798
Barney N, A to Z of Newcastle and the Hunter, 1998

C2799
Barney N, Reminiscing, 2003

C2800
Lewis J (ed.), Reminiscences of the Royal, 1997

C2801
Archer C (ed.), Historic Paterson, 2001

C2802
Hunter C, Essays on Seaham, 2002

C2803
Maxwell F and Sheehan E, Coalmining Related Deaths Hunter Valley NSW 1901-1925, 1982

C2804
Newcastle Chamber of Commerce: 100 Years of Enterprise, 1886-1986

C2805
Glenrock Natural History, Newcastle Flora and Fauna Protection Society, 1983

C2806
Callen T, St Peter-in-Chains, Stockton 1887-1987, 1987

C2807
Ahern P, French Sailing Ships at Newcastle 1898-1921

C2808
Turner J, 200 Years of Transport in the Hunter, 1998

C2809
Edwards R, Skills of the Australian Bushman, 1998

C2810
Cyclopedia of New South Wales, 1907

C2811
Folder: State Dockyard Newsletter – several copies all 1970s; assorted photocopies relating to the history of Stockton

C2812
Folder: Newspaper Clippings: PUNTS 1932-2002

C2813
Folder: Newspaper Clippings: SPORT 1962-2002

C2814
Folder: Photocopies relating to the Hunter River and Newspaper Clippings, 1938-2002 and Monograph: Golf Clubs in and around Newcastle.

C2815
Folder: Newspaper Clippings and Photographs of Ships and Newcastle Harbour, c.90s

C2816
Folder: Shipwrecks A-Z; Shipwrecks by Year; Ships built in Stockton, c.1978

C2817
Folder: Stockton History, c.1940s – 1980s

C2818
Folder: Ferries, 1883-1986

C2819
Folder: Stockton History, 1925-2004

C2820
Folder: Shipwrecks and boats built in Stockton, 1883-2001

C2821
Folder: Harbour Port and Shipping, 1931-1991

C2822
Folder: The Ilata Shipwreck; black and white photocopies of Stockton c.1890s – 1930s

C2823
Folder: Maps and Other Stockton Information

C2824
Folder: Stockton Colliery and records of miners’ deaths at Stockton Colliery, c.1920s-1980s

C2825(i)
Album: Early Newcastle Postcards, c.1930s-c.1980s

C2825(ii)
Photograph: B&W original photograph of Stockton Boy Scouts, 1930

C2825(iii)
Album: Sailing Ships of Stockton, c.1930s (original b&w photographs)

C2825(iv)
Album: Early Photographs of Stockton, Newcastle Harbour and People, 1907-1928

C2825(v)
Album: Original B&W (and some coloured) photographs of Stockton 1920-1980

C2825(vi)
Album: Stockton History, c.1920s (original B&W photographs)

C2825(vii)
CD ROM: Newcastle Harbour Ships, c.1900

C2826(i)
Album: Stockton , 1882-1950s

C2826(ii)
Album: Kooragang, c.1990s

C2826(iii)
Album: The “Adolphe” (barque)

C2826(iv)
Folder: Australian Country Life 1910 – photocopied artice about Newcastle, NSW

C2827(i)
Album: Antartica 1911-1912 – photocopies of photographs

C2827(ii)
Folder: Ships, 1891-1904

C2827(iii)
Folder: Stockton in the 1890s – photocopies of photographs

C2827(iv)
Folder: Stockton, c1880s – 1927 – photocopies of photographs

C2827(v)
Cardboard Passport for entry to Stockton, Lions Club of Stockton, 2000

C2827(vi)
Photographs of Stockton: photocopied b&w and coloured, c.1880s – 1930s

C2827(vii)
Ross Craig Funeral Service Programme, 15/11/2012

C2827(viii)
Email correspondence between G. Heathcote (UON) and C.Bailey (Port Stephens Council) relating to the Ross and Pat Craig Papers

C2827(ix)
Newspaper Clippings relating to Stockton and Newcastle: random, unsorted by R. Craig

C2827(x)
Photographs: original B&W photographs of “Darra” cruise (c.1930s); Scouts at Soldiers Point (c.1930’s); Stockton Primary School NSW Basketball Champions 1966

C2828(i)
B&W Photograph: Stockton Public School NSW Basketball Champions 1970

C2828(ii)
B&W Photograph: Stockton Public School NSW Basketball Champions 1967

C2828(iii)
B&W Photograph: Stockton Public School NSW Basketball Champions 1972

C2828(iv)
B&W Photograph: Stockton Public School NSW Basketball Champions 1971

_________________________

C2966(i)
Historical Records of Newcastle 1797 -1897; The Newcastle Directory 1880-1881; Federal Directory of Newcastle District 1901
There are no dates indicating the date of collection in the folders relating to the Craig Papers.  Most of the photocopies of papers, letters, documents, articles and photographs appear to have been collected between the early 1960s and 2004.  The dates below are taken from photocopied papers collected by Ross and Pat Craig.

C2966(ii)
Craig, R Stockton Year by Year, Stockton Historical Society

C2966(iii)
Patterson’s Illustrated Nautical Dictionary (unabridged) – photocopy
c.1900

C2966(iv)
Coal Mining in the Newcastle Area – indexed as:
1-22 Cyclopedia of NSW
23-42 Coal Mines in Newcastle
43-86 Beneath Tidal Water (Ed Tonks)
87 Newcastle Coal Mines

C2966(v)
Shipwrecks of the Newcastle Region including Oyster Bay and the Hunter River

C2966(vi)
Stockton Harbour and River

C2966(vii)
Abstract of the Title of the Perpetual Trustee Company to Freehold Lands at Stockton 1916

C2966(viii)
Newcastle Directory and Almanac (photocopy) 1880

C2966(ix)
Hunter History Highlights 1770-2003

C2966(x)
Early History of Stockton 1889-1977

C2967(i)
Shipwrecks of the Newcastle Region including Oyster Bay and the Hunter River

C2967(ii)
Stockton Industries 1799 – 1908; Stockton Council 1890-1891

C2967(iii)
Shipwrecks of the Newcastle Region including Oyster Bay and the Hunter River

C2967(iv)
Early Newcastle District History 1791-2003

C2967(v)
Life of William Keith Craig (b.1896)

C2967(vi)
Life of William Keith Craig (b.1896) Volume II

C2967(vii)
PMF Personnel at Fort Wallace (Pre-War); History of Fort Wallace

C2967(viii)
Introduction to West Walk and Map of Stockton (1850)

C2967(ix)
Fletcher, James cW “Sighted Off Nobbys” – photographs and chapters of book
c.1900

C2968(i)
Lions Club of Stockton: papers and articles including membership lists
1969-1003

C2968(ii)
Cockbairn, Peter ” The Engineering Heritage Associated with Coal Shipments from Newcastle 1877 – 1967″
1967

C2968(iii)
Hunter History Highlights 1877 – 1967

C2968(iv)
Stockton West Walk No 1

C2968(v)
Newcastle Port Corporation – John Shortland and Newcastle Harbour

C2968(vi)
Stockton Industries 1799 – 1908

C2968(vii)
Stockton Baseball Club 1934 – 1961
1934-1961

C2968(viii)
McQuillan, T Coutenay “The Hill – Its People and its Past: A History of the Village of Lethanbill/Bunfoothill” 1988

C2969(i)
Hunter District Water Supply, 1877 – 1954

C2969(ii)
Early Stockton Post Office and Hunter History Highlights,  1770 – 2003

C2969(iii)
Collection of colour photographs relating to Ross and Pat Craig: Lions Club functions, holidays and community involvement, c1980-c1994

C2969(iv)
Lions Club of Stockton: papers and articles, c.1969 -1980s

C2969(v)
Lions Club of Stockton: history of, c.1969 -1980s

C2969(vi)
Fort Wallace: history of and articles, c.1930s – 1980s

C2969(vii)
Lions Club of Stockton: articles and papers, c.1969 – 1980s

C2970(i)
Collection of miscellaneous articles, cartoons, quotations and newspapers clippings (unrelated), c.1960s – 1990s

C2970(ii)
Coal Ships in Newcastle – lists of vessels entering and departing the Port of Newcastle, c.1880s – 1890s

C2970(iii)
Stockton Historical Society Quarterly Magazine Vol 1, Nos 1-10, April 1996 – July 1998

C2970(iv)
Stockton Historical Society Quarterly Magazine Vol 2, Nos 1-10, Oct 1998 – January 2001

C2970(v)
Stockton Historical Society Quarterly Magazine Vol 3, Nos 1-10, April 2001 – July 2003

C2970(vi)
Stockton Historical Society Quarterly Magazine Vol 4, Nos 1-10, October 2003 – January 2006

C2970(vii)
Stockton Historical Society Quarterly Magazine Vol 4, Nos 1-10 (Copy 2), October 2003 – January 2006

C2970(viii)
Stockton Historical Society Magazine, July-06

C2970(ix)
Stockton Historical Society Magazine, April 2006 – October 2007