You'll have to provide more information to get the exact threading diagram. Singer assigned a lot of serial numbers to several models in 1956. See
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-el-series-serial-numbers.html for some of the model and serial numbers. If the machine was purchased in 1956, then it may have been assigned a serial number in 1954 or 1955.
If you can find the serial number, then you can is the ismacs site,
http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_machine_company/serial-numbers/singer-sewing-machine-serial-number-database.html , to look up the model number. Then go to
https://www.singer.com/support to see if the manual is available.
In general, Singer sewing machines get upper thread from right to left going down, then up and finally down to the needle. First start with the needle bar in the highest position (use the hand wheel). Place the spool on the spool pin (use the appropriate spool holder, if needed). Bring the thread to the first guide and get it to slide into place. Draw the thread down into the next guide and then go slightly to the right. Bring the thread down and around the tension knob. Pull up and somewhat to the right again on the thread so that it catches the tension spring and enters the metal guide above the tension knob. Bring the thread up to the guide at the top of the needle bar. Next bring the thread down and through the next four guides - one is to the left of the tension knob, one is somewhat above the needle area, the last two are on opposite sides (top and bottom) where the needle is clamped into the needle bar. Finally draw the thread through the eye of the needle going from front to back.
These directions generally apply to any Singer with a bobbin that gets inserted from the top near the presser foot. An example of the threading diagram is on page 10 of the manual for the 401:
https://www.singer.com/sites/default/files/product_manual/SINGER%20401and%20401A1%20Sewing%20Machine.pdf .
I hope this helps.
Cindy Wells
(I have a later Golden Touch 'N Sew which gets threaded slightly differently. The only guide at the tension knob is wider; so the thread has to be worked into the guide going down and coming up. Also there are fewer guides going down to the needle.)
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