Letter - Founding of the Teesdale Mercury

Founding of the Teesdale Mercury

The Atkinson brothers, John and Reginald, who founded the Mercury in 1854, were the sons and grandsons of printers in Teesdale. Their uncle, Green Atkinson, owned a press in Darlington. Green left for Australia, also in 1854, together with other members of the family, and a number of descendants were active in printing trade in Victorian and New South Wales. Green Atkinson was my great-great-grandfather.

A good number of printing families were scattered in this way around the British Empire. Often the colonial members sent news back which was published in the family papers. I’m not sure whether this happened with the Atkinsons and the Mercury, but your paper must certainly have had an editorial eye on Australian events for some years.

I would be very glad to hear of any English readers of the Mercury who are aware of remnants or relics of John and/or Reginald Atkinson and their families.

Alan Atkinson
University of New England
New South Wales 2351
Australia