Welcome to Sunderland History

The purpose of the site is to offer resources on the local history and genealogy of the City of Sunderland, once the largest shipbuilding town in the world.

Enjoy the journey through our wonderful heritage  whilst we discuss the people, places and events on a journey that made Sunderland a leader in industrial development and what it is today.

 Church of Holy Trinity.

Built in the well documented East End of the town in 1719, this was the first parish church of old Sunderland.

Housed the Old Towns council chamber and library. It is understood that this Grade 1 listed building is now a venue for events and concerts.
More about the East End , its characters and there way of life.
Brian Dodds  is the author of Aspects of Monkwearmouth. Brian has kindly given Sunderland History permission to use some of his fantastic information and his research for content in this website.

Close to my heart is the Fire Service . As a former Firefighter myself I asked Jim Bryce,  Author of " Sunderland Fire Brigade  " if we could use some of the content from his book. which Jim kindly and readily offered.

Buses, cars, The Metro, but what about Sunderland Tramway's. This service ran for a lot of years and ran from the town, over Wearmouth Bridge to Monkwearmouth, Roker and Southwick. Southwick, had, in the early days its own District Council. Shipbuilding and Shipyards.

Fulwell Windmill is the only working windmill in the North East region.


Perhaps you will be inspired and join us, like many who have contributed with  stories, information and photographs of our past.