Thanks Deebel,
Jame Irvine(Irvin) died in Aberdeen in 1900 I can pretty much trace him to living there since he married Janet Ross at Kincardine Devenick and then they moved to St Nicholas Aberdeen where both died. He was always a Stoker/fireman.
On his death notice his parents were recorded as Robert irvin (famer) and Elizabeth Hunter. The informant was their eldest son James (my line) and he was a shipwright in Aberdeen and I know both men could write as I have James,the stoker, signed a son's death notice and James, the shipwright, sighed both parents' death notices.
Yesterday I wrote to Roots Ireland and they agree with everyone that it is most likely the place is Fermanagh or Armagh because they were probably spelling it phonetically.
Just one more piece of info, I found an 1861 record for a James Ervin, married, 31, Fireman, Fermanagh, Ireland on a ship called the "Prince Consort" which was in port at Lerwick, Shetland, at the time and Janet was the head of her family in Aberdeen with 'Seaman's wife' alongside her name. This is the only record in 1861 with the name Irvine that I have found so far that could match my James.
Just a thought but based on the word being taken down phonetically, wouldn't Armanah be more likely to be Fermanagh than Armagh? I have seen Fermanagh spelt Farmanagh at times.
Anyway if anyone can suggest where I try find the parents I would be forever grateful.
Thanks
Jenny