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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: CornerB on Thursday 04 January 18 20:13 GMT (UK)
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I am looking any information on a David Donaldson who came from Ireland and lived later in Claremont New Hampshire. Reason being that his son also called David was killed in WW1 and is buried in a soldiers grave in Belfast's Milltown Cemetery.
David Donaldson the son was in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 3rd Battalion when he died on the 12th of July 1918 but he had already been wounded on three different occasions before his death. The last address I have for him is in Foundry Street Belfast around 1918. But his address was given as 133 Main Street Claremont New Hampshire. But I am lead to believe that this was his father's address. So I was wondering if anyone out there would have any information about any Donaldson's still in this area who might be related to him? Hoping for any replies with interest.
Brian
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Hi
Welcome to RootsChat
Main Street Claremont, Sullivan, New Hampshire 1920
Mary Landers 45
Evelyn Landers 13
Edward Lane 73
David Donaldson 52 Born Ireland. Widowed. Roomer. Weaver. Woollen Mill. Naturalized.
Sandra
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Newport, New Hampshire, City Directory, 1917 Claremont - - David Donaldson - 133 Main - weaver.
Claremont, New Hampshire, City Directory, 1927 - David Donaldson - res 133 Main
Sandra
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Hi
Welcome to RootsChat
Main Street Claremont, Sullivan, New Hampshire 1920
Mary Landers 45
Evelyn Landers 13
Edward Lane 73
David Donaldson 52 Born Ireland. Widowed. Roomer. Weaver. Woollen Mill. Naturalized.
Sandra wow thank you so much. This is great this with out doubt is him. It would seem that this could have been a boarding house of some sort? But this is just fantastic confirmation of the David in Belfast's father. And that by 1920 he was a widow. I'm wondering if he stayed in America? Either way thank you very much for this information
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You can see the actual image of the 1920 census here - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRXL-H9G?i=26&cc=1488411 The address given on the left hand side is 197 Main St.
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You can see the actual image of the 1920 census here - https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRXL-H9G?i=26&cc=1488411 The address given on the left hand side is 197 Main St.
Sorry Shelly my wi-fi is on the blink, I have just got on that site at present. And thank you very much for your input I just came across this lads grave in Milltown Cemetery while researching WW1 soldiers.
David Donaldson the father was married to a Mary Jane Long. Mary Jane died in 1918 the same year as their son David. Yet on her death cert in 1918 it states she is a widow which she wasn't as her husband was in New Hampshire.
But it might explain why David's son's address on the C.W.G.C. was given as Claremont when in fact he could never have been to the United States on the face of it? Unless I am missing something? Bit of a teaser.
Regards Brian.
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It happened pretty commonly in those days that women claimed to be widows when really they were separated from or abandoned by their husbands. Or maybe the person who filled out her death certificate didn't know her marital status.
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It happened pretty commonly in those days that women claimed to be widows when really they were separated from or abandoned by their husbands. Or maybe the person who filled out her death certificate didn't know her marital status.
Indeed might have been the case that a move to America was a bit too much for his wife. Or who knows? It was her daughter who recorded her death in Belfast and no doubt had her reasons for doing so. I tried looking up David seniors death but no luck as yet.
Many thanks Shelly and a very Happy New Year to you and your family.
Brian.
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When was the last sighting of David Donaldson Snr in Ireland ? 1901 / 1911 ?
Sandra
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For information purposes - David Donaldson Jnr was 26 years old - died 12 July 1918 Lisburn County Antrim.
http://www.lisburn-and-the-great-war.com/database/
Sandra
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Was David's wife - Mary Jane Donaldson born 1857 - the one who passed away in Q4 - Oct/Nov/Dec 1918 - volume 1 page 299 ???
Sandra
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Notice a marriage - Mary Jane Long to David Donaldson - Q2 - Apr/May/June 1888 - Belfast - volume 1 page 472 ???
Sandra
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When was the last sighting of David Donaldson Snr in Ireland ? 1901 / 1911 ?
Sandra
David Senior is in neither as far as I can see.
But this is David the son in 1901 see link
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/St__Anne_s/Ballymurphy_Street/981789/
This was an Industrial School off the Falls Road in Belfast it was for both orphans and boys put in for punishment.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Pottinger__part_of_/Vulcan_Street/223860/
This link in 1911 is for Mary Donaldson David seniors wife. Big problem with looking up anyone at that time was the fact they moved house so many times.
By the way thank you so much for your help Sandra and a very Happy New Year to you and your family.
Brian
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Notice a marriage - Mary Jane Long to David Donaldson - Q2 - Apr/May/June 1888 - Belfast - volume 1 page 472 ???
Sandra
That seems to be them Sandra. David the son left a soldiers will with all his effects going to his mother Mary no mention of his father at all on the will. By the way David seniors profession as a weaver can help in tracing him against other David Donaldson's. Another thing was that David seniors father I believe was called Joseph from Lisburn and he was a Catholic. By the way Donaldson was the English version of McDonald. I have been told that this was prevalent around the time of the Famine when in orderto get food some Catholics changed their names and religion in order to get food.
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Wondered if David Donaldson Jnr might have had more siblings.
Cecilia Catherine Donaldson - 1894 - Lisburn. volume 1 page 619
Sandra
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Massachusetts Passenger List - cecilia Catherine Donaldson aged 17 years born Lisburn 1895 - departs
Londonderry, Ireland to boston Massachusetts - arriving 22 July 1912 - on the Parisian. Factory Hand - name and address of nearest relative or friend in country from whence came was Mrs M Taggart, 10 Dysart Street Belfast. Father David Donaldson, Lisbon Falls Maine.
Sandra
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UK return passenger list - Cecilia Donaldson born 1894 - Boston, Massachusetts to Glasgow on the Ionian arriving 5 April 1914 - weaver.
Sandra
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There is a marriage for Cecilia Donaldson March 1918 - vol 1 page 534 - Belfast -
Sandra
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Once again Sandra great work thank you. Yes Cecilia is David Junior's sister. She later registers her mothers death under her married name as Cecilia May as far as I can make out. Seems she tried America and it either didn't work out or returned to look after her mother.
Regards
Brian.
:o This is unbelievable I was just talking to my wife and have just discovered something that is uncanny.
The M Taggart mentioned is actually related to my wifes mother who sadly is no longer with us. This is just a remarkable coincidence. It just goes to show how really close we all are connected by just a few stages of life. :)
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Hi Brian,
At least that showed that David Donaldson still had contact with his daughter after he left.
Who was Mrs M Taggart listed on Cecilia's passenger list ?
Sandra
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Hi Brian,
At least that showed that David Donaldson still had contact with his daughter after he left.
Who was Mrs M Taggart listed on Cecilia's passenger list ?
Sandra
I actually think the name is McTaggart but due to illiteracy in those days got a bit lost translation. So I think my wife is related to relations of the Dysart St couple who had no children. That's the problem with this kind of research. On the face of it there is not much to go on as far as why Cecilia was in contact with the Dysart St couple.
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More original records have become available online since the original post, so for example, the marriage of David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long in 1888:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1888/10764/5925711.pdf
However, a 'RootsIreland' transcript of the St. Peter's record of that marriage identifies both parents for each party:
- David Donaldson: Parents Joseph Donaldson and Isabella Kelly;
- Mary Jane Long: Parents William Long and Mary Anne Stewart.
On 22 January 1850 in Lisburn (Church of Ireland) Cathedral, a 27 year old weaver named Joseph Donaldson of Market Lane married 22 year old Isabella Kelly of Bridge End, both fathers (Joseph Donaldson and James Kelly) recorded as weavers, witnesses were James Morrow and David Graham:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1850/09391/5401806.pdf
I can't see a 'local' marriage for a William Long and Mary Anne Stewart.
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The 1912 Belfast street directory shows the following entry for Dysart Street:
10. McTaggart, Thos., tailor
Which reads across to this entry in the 1911 Ireland census (note: 11 Years Married):
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Smithfield/Dysart_Street/185846/
The relevant marriage record in 1900 reveals what the likely connection is (note: bride's surname and father's details):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1900/10351/5768354.pdf
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All of the following are from the 'Lisburn Standard'...
18 June 1898:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN.
David Donaldson and Mary Jane Donaldson were charged by District-Inspector MacGee with a breach of Section 1 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act of 1894. The wife appeared, but the husband did not, and a warrant was issued for his arrest - the woman in the meantime to go into the workhouse with the children.
2 July 1898:
ALLEGED NEGLECT OF CHILDREN.
The case of Mary Jane Donaldson, who was prosecuted by District-Inspector MacGee for neglecting her children, was further adjourned for a fortnight to see how she would behave herself.
16 July 1898:
CRUELTY TO CHILDREN.
In this case, which came up in adjournment, Mary Jane Donaldson in conjunction with her husband, were charged with cruelty to their child, a boy of 7 years of age. The woman had been in the workhouse, but the warrant against the father had not been executed, the defendant having fled the country. Mr. JOSEPH ALLEN, who appeared for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, applied that the boy should be sent to the Milltown Industrial School until he was 16 years of age, and that the woman and the other children, should be sent back to the workhouse. An order to this effect was accordingly made.
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Just a quick review of children to David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long who married on 3 April 1888:
(1) Martha Donaldson born on 1 June 1889 (family address = 15 Crumlin Street, Belfast):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1889/02466/1915939.pdf
(2) Unnamed male Donaldson born on 14 November 1890 (family address = 15 Crumlin Street, Belfast):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1890/02411/1898952.pdf
(3) Joseph Donaldson born on 29 January 1892 (family address = 2 Crumlin Street, Belfast):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1892/02361/1881934.pdf
(4) Albert Samuel Donaldson born on 21 June 1893 (family address = Hill Street, Lisburn):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1893/02308/1865372.pdf
(5) Cecilia Catherine Donaldson born on 16 October 1894 (family address = Hill Street, Lisburn):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1894/02243/1844707.pdf
I haven't yet found any more children, maybe fresh eyes will. The unnamed male (David?) born on 14 November 1890 would have been 7 years old at the time of the newspaper item at Reply #23 above (Joseph would only have been 6).
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Just a quick review of children to David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long who married on 3 April 1888:
(1) Martha Donaldson born on 1 June 1889 (family address = 15 Crumlin Street, Belfast):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1889/02466/1915939.pdf
Turning first to (1) Martha Donaldson, she died young in March 1896, there was a lengthy account of an inquest in a local newspaper of that time into her death at Hill Street, Lisburn, the bottom line is that acute diphtheria was the culprit:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1896/05910/4677603.pdf
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Just a quick review of children to David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long who married on 3 April 1888:
(5) Cecilia Catherine Donaldson born on 16 October 1894 (family address = Hill Street, Lisburn):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1894/02243/1844707.pdf
The Cecilia Donaldson - Daniel May marriage in 1918:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1918/09700/5518647.pdf
Daniel May and Cecilia Donaldson had a son Albert in 1919, who was baptised in St. Matthew's RC church, Belfast:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1919/01258/1522659.pdf
Also baptised in St. Matthew's for this couple were a daughter in 1922 (who went on to marry in St. Anne's of Alcester Street, Birmingham, England in 1941), a son in 1924, and a daughter in 1926, the address recorded in all three baptismal records was 18 Arran Street - I won't name the children on the off chance that they are still alive.
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Just a quick review of children to David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long who married on 3 April 1888:
(4) Albert Samuel Donaldson born on 21 June 1893 (family address = Hill Street, Lisburn):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1893/02308/1865372.pdf
Given the groom's address of 18 Arran Street in the following 1920 registration of a St. Matthew's marriage (same address mentioned in Reply #26 immediately above), it seems most likely that David and Mary Jane Donaldson's son Albert went on to marry an Eliza Jane Hanna:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1920/09256/5307429.pdf
I can also see a St. Matthew's baptismal record for a son to this couple in 1921 (who in turn went on to marry in St. Matthew's in 1946), and another son in 1925.
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Just a quick review of children to David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long who married on 3 April 1888:
(3) Joseph Donaldson born on 29 January 1892 (family address = 2 Crumlin Street, Belfast):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1892/02361/1881934.pdf
I think this death in Lisburn in 1906 has to be a possibility for Joseph born in 1892:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1906/05550/4557053.pdf
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Although the age at death is 'light' in each case, I think that the following may be the death registrations for Joseph Donaldson and his wife Isabella Kelly in 1886 and 1898 respectively:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1886/06253/4790771.pdf
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1898/05842/4655053.pdf
I suspect that the informant of Joseph's death ('D Donaldson Son') may be David and that the informant of Isabella's death ('Margaret Donaldson Daughter') may be the same one who married Thomas McTaggart in August 1900 (marriage link at Reply #22 above).
The only actual records I could find to confirm children of Joseph Donaldson and Isabella Kelly are three Lisburn civil birth registrations for a son Samuel Donaldson in 1865 (who went on to marry a Margaret Watson) and twin sons William and Thomas Donaldson in 1869 (who I think died the following year). So I'm guessing that the children David Donaldson and Margaret Donaldson, regardless of what birth years are indicated by other sources, were actually born pre-civil registration of births in 1864. Since Joseph Donaldson and Isabella Kelly were married in 1850, one might reasonably expect there to have been other children between then and 1864. So for example, I suspect that the James Donaldson in the following 1875 record of marriage to a Margaret Mulgrew, may be a son born to the couple c. 1854:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1875/11203/8105416.pdf
Note: 'Piper Hill Lisburn' in the above marriage registration was the same address as that in the 1869 birth registrations for twins William and Thomas Donaldson mentioned above:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1869/03413/2251810.pdf
So it's all a bit more nebulous than I would like, but the bottom line is that the 'RootsIreland' St. Peter's transcript of that 1888 Donaldson-Long marriage did identify David's parents as Joseph Donaldson and Isabella Kelly.
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Just a quick review of children to David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long who married on 3 April 1888:
(1) Martha Donaldson born on 1 June 1889 (family address = 15 Crumlin Street, Belfast):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1889/02466/1915939.pdf
(2) Unnamed male Donaldson born on 14 November 1890 (family address = 15 Crumlin Street, Belfast):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1890/02411/1898952.pdf
I've really struggled with tracking back Mary Jane Long, the only information about her background was her father's details in that 1888 record of marriage to David Donaldson - namely William Long, a coachman, deceased at the time of that marriage. As I said at Reply #21, the St. Peter's version of that marriage record elaborated on that to identify her mother as well - Mary Anne Stewart.
I couldn't find a William Long - Mary Anne Stewart marriage, nor could I find a birth/baptismal record for Mary Jane Long.
But then I happened upon the following baptismal record for a John Long, he was baptised in Glenavy & Killead RC parish on 4 September 1853, the baptismal record shows his parents as William Long and Mary Ann Stewart, William was recorded as 'Prot' (Protestant), son John was identified as 'illeg.' (illegitimate) and the sponsors were Bernard & Rose Jane Stewart (just over halfway down left page in the following link):
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000633183#page/10/mode/1up
In tracking John Long forward, the following marriage registration jumped out, it took place in St. Patrick's Belfast about 3 years before David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long got married, it shows a 30 year old John Long marrying an Annie McCune, John's father recorded as... one 'William Long Deceased', 'Coachman':
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1885/10865/5967629.pdf
John Long and Annie McCune went on to have a number of children, the birth that is most interesting is of their daughter Rebecca Long, born on 15 June 1891. Previously, at Reply #24, I listed the children born to David Donaldson and Mary Jane Long, the first two, Martha and an unnamed male (David?) were born in June 1889 and November 1890 respectively, the family address for both was 15 Crumlin Street. The family address for Rebecca Long, born 7 months after that unnamed Donaldson son, was... 15 Crumlin Street:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1891/02381/1888455.pdf
So notwithstanding the lack of a birth/baptismal record for Mary Jane, a hypothesis at this point has to be that she and John were maybe related, maybe siblings, and that maybe therefore she too was the illegitimate child of that protestant coachman William Long and Mary Anne Stewart.