Thomas Johnston b 1871 and Mary McCoy b 1881

[gordonmcmullan]

Hi,

I'm researching my Great Grandparents Thomas Johnston and Mary McCoy

So far I've found them in the 1911 census, although with their given and family names transposed.
I have also found Thomas in the 1901 Census.

Thomas was a restaurateur and hotelier and was associated with the Burlington Hotel in Belfast that I believe stood on the corner of Frederick Street and York Street. There is also I believe a family connection with the Old Inn at Crawfordsburn, which was owned at one time by a William Johnston.

I have a possible marriage for Thomas and Mary on 24 Mar 1910 at Knockbreda CoI church, but the date seems too late to match the age of the oldest child, Henry, given on the 1911 census. I've not seen the detail for this marriage

I have the children of Thomas as:

Maisie Johnston
Maureen Johnston  – 2007
Henry Johnston  1907
Muriel Johnston 1911 – 1970
Thomas Cecil Johnston 1912 – 2008
Elizabeth Johnston 1915 –
William John Johnston 1918 –
Irene Johnston

I have births for Muriel and Irene and Elizabeth, and the death only for Muriel, my Grandmother.

Any help or advice much appreciated

[aghadowey]

Here's a link to the family in 1911 census- says married 5 years so c1906 rather than 1910 like the one you found- either it's the wrong marriage, they didn't understand the question or they lied about when they married.
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Belfast_East/Frederick_Street/143342

Have you discounted the 1906 Co.Down marriage for a Thomas Johnston, son of William, to Mary ___?

[gordonmcmullan]

Thanks very much for the reply,

There's a marriage between Thomas Johnston and Mary Jane Wetherall on    11 Jul 1906 in Co Down that I've discounted, I discovered that one through the IFHF database, I'm not sure if that's the same one that you're referring to. The 1910 Marriage I discovered through Emerald Ancestors.

It's just about possible that Mary McCoy was Thomas' 2nd wife A birth record for Henry would help clear that up I guess.

I think I've been a bit spoiled as most of my research so far has been in Scotland, it's a lot easier than Ireland.

[gordonmcmullan]

I think I have a DoD for Thomas now, the PRONI wills calendar has the following

Johnston Thomas of The Burlington 36 Great Victoria Street Belfast caterer died 15 February 1927 Administration Belfast 13 July to Mary Johnston the widow.

[gordonmcmullan]

I neglected to include a link to the family in the 1901 Census
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/St__Anne_s_Ward/Fredrick_Street/959696/

It looks like Thomas' mother may have remarried, I've found a Marriage in 1881:

3 Sep 1881 EGLINTON STREET Presbyterian
John Lemon (pensioner - widower) and Mary Johnston (widow)
Fathers James Lemon (Weaver - deceased) and William Higgins (Coastguard - deceased)
Witnesses William Donaldson and Elizabeth Campbell

[ianfield]

Hi Gordon

I was checking a comment that I found that a somewhat distant relative Muriel Johnston was part of a family that owned the Old Inn in Crawfordsburn, and your link came up.  Muriel married Victor Hamilton in Canada and had a daughter Margaret.  Victor's sister Minnie married into my wife's family.  We're still in touch with another branch of the Hamilton family in Northern Ireland.  I'm not sure if this helps much, but I'd be happy for you to get in touch if you're interested.

Regards
Ian

[gordonmcmullan]

Hi Ian,

It looks like I'm related to your wife, I've sent you a PM with more details.

Thanks,

Gordon McMullan

[aghadowey]

New members usually need 2/3 posts to use Personal Message system.

[gordonmcmullan]

ah, thanks for the reminder, I'll add the important details here, and wait for Ian to make a couple more posts.

Hi Ian,

I'm one of Margaret's sons, Victor (he appears to have been christened Albert Victor, but dropped the Albert later) I think he married Muriel Johnston in Northern Ireland before emigrating to Canada after WW2.

I made a post in the Antrim board about the Hamilton family it's here http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,499266.msg3560192.html

My mother has lost touch with much of her family over the years, I'm not sure when she last heard from Minnie, to my Knowledge the only person from the Hamilton side she has been in contact with recently is her cousin Margaret, the daughter of James Hamilton, Victor and Minnie's Brother, who still lives in Northern Ireland.

My mother's memory is that Minnie married someone called Cecil Foster, would this be correct? I'd love to hear more of the Hamilton side of my heritage, perhaps over on the other post I mentioned above would be a good place to continue.

Thanks,

Gordon.