Hello Andrew & Others Interested in the Whites Of Broughshane
On and off for the past decade, I have been researching John White (1839-1912), younger brother of the Field Marshall, as the possible Father of my Grandfather John Joseph White (1863/4-1909). I have determined the major facts/events in John's life through census materials, correspondence with Balloil College Oxford, Lincoln's Inn Library (law school in London) and a very helpful Local Studies Librarian in Ballymena. In short, John White was an Oxford scholar, barrister (mainly "not practicing") and pursued a career as a senior civil servant in London working at the national Board of Education. My research supports a circumstantial case for the connection (matching many elements of our disjointed family legend) but certainly does not prove it. I believe the case now swings on finding out whether the John White of Broughshane is the John White who was reported as a Father in the Dublin Birth Registry of November 1864. The Mother, Mary Conner, who signed with "her mark" reported the birth at 25 Marlborough Street (often occupied by legal professionals according to Dublin directories) and stated that the Father, John White, was a Solicitor. This is precisely the time frame in which John White of Broughshane was in legal training (perhaps interning in the office of an established solictor) before being called to the bar (barrister) in 1866. I bring all this to your attention in the hope that you may have some idea where I might access family documents/correspondence that could shed light on whether John of Broughshane lived and/or understudied law in Dublin between 1862 and 1866. Do you know if any 19th century family papers are preserved anywhere by descendants or libraries? I am aware from reviewing Durand's biography of the Field Marshall that much material was turned over to him for writing the book. In fact, many letters between the General and John White are quoted in the book, but none are from the early period I seek nor address my questions. Any assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Frank White
Colorado Springs