Gaw/Patterson/Kyles/Lusk/Fleck

[Finiston]

Sooneratsaxpn1:   Aghadowey is right, there is a bit of confusion here.  Catherine Gaw Skinner, my G.Grandmother, married Alfred Thomas Billinghurst on 29th September, 1917. Catherine was a widow, my G.Grandfather, Thomas Skinner, having died in 1904, and Alfred was a widower. They didn't have any children. Catherine and Thomas had a daughter, Elizabeth Ann, who was always referred to as Essie, but never as Essie Billinghurst as far as I know.  So as far as I can see, your Essie Billinghurst is not a descendant of the Gaws of County Down.
I've sent you a PM containing my email address so if you'd like any further details you can communicate directly.
Let me add here that I'm located in Canada and thanks to the great people on this forum, I've been able to learn a lot about my Northern Irish ancestors.

[aghadowey]

I did find lots more about the Gaws, Skinners, Billingshursts, etc. as there are lots of new online resources since this this topic started. Finiston- would you like the details I found?

[Finiston]

Aghadowey, thanks very much for that kind offer.  I've also found quite a bit, including a lovely and tragic story of John Gaw, Catherine's grandfather, who lost a leg at the Battle of Talavera when he was only 22 years old. He was awarded a pension of one shilling a week!
I don't think I'd be interested in the Billinghurst information but anything you might have on the direct lines would be most welcome.
Thanks again...........Brian 

[aghadowey]

Some, or most of this, you might already have found but just in case... (this is not in any way a complete family tree). Note: 'Belfast' refers to the registration district as given in GRONI index.

Catherine “Kate” Gaw (c1861 Co.Tyrone-30 Oct.1943 Belfast) m.(14 Jan.1884 Belfast) Thomas William Skinner (d.24 Mar.1904 Belfast). She m.2 (27 Sept.1917 Belfast) Alfred Thomas Billinghurst.
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Clifton/Linwood_Street/962099
Administration of the estate of Thomas William Skinner late of 29 Silvio-street Belfast Stager who died 24 March 1904 at The Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast granted at Belfast to Catherine Skinner the Widow. Effects £14 4s.
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Clifton/Hillview_Street/145641
1911- 9 children (6 living)
Belfast City Cemetery (F 683): Mr Thomas Skinner, age 47 [death registration says age 46], resided 29 Silvio St., died 24 Mar.1904 Royal Vitcoria Hospital, buried 27 Mar.1904. Josephine Skinner, 8 weeks, 48 Linwood St., died 10 June 1920, buried 12 June 1920. Sarah Uprichard Skinner, 2 months, 51 Linwood St., died 7 Mar.1922, buried 9 Mar.1922. George Herbert Skinner, 5 months, 48 Linwood St., died 6 Sept.1924, buried 8 Sept.1924. Catherine Billinghurst, age 79, 103 Silvio St., died 30 Oct.1943, buried 1 Nov.1943. Moore Skinner, age 78, 64 Alliance Parade, died 13 Aug.1967, buried 15 Aug.1967.
1.   Thomas L. Skinner (reg. Oct./Dec.1884 Dundalk, Co. Louth?-28 Feb.1948 Belfast) m.(4 Feb.1905 Belfast) Ethel/Esther M. Tweedie/Tweedy.
     www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Shankill/McCandles_Street/152061
        1.   Annie Skinner (22 Nov.1906 Belfast)
        2.   Catherine Skinner (24 June 1909 Belfast-11 Aug.1910 Belfast)
2.   Moore Weir Skinner (4 Feb.1889 Belfast-13 Aug.1967) m.(11 Nov.1911 Belfast) Sarah Ann Marks
     ? Belfast City Cemetery- Public Ground (Z1 239): stillborn son of Moore & Dorothea Skinner, died & buried 16 July 1954. Father possibly the Moore Skinner born 1913 Belfast.
        1.   Dorothy Skinner (5 Aug.1911 Belfast)
        2.   Moore Skinner (9 July 1913 Belfast)
3.   Nelson Wilkinson Skinner (27 Dec.1890 Belfast) m.(22 Oct.1911 St. Anne’s Church of Ireland, Shankill, Belfast) Emily Patterson
        1.   Isabella Skinner (27 Oct.1912 Belfast)
4.   James Skinner (25 Feb.1893 Belfast).
5.   Sydney Skinner (17 Mar.1895 Belfast-2 Jan.1897 Belfast)
6.   Sydney Arthur Skinner (19 July 1897 Belfast-27 Sept.1960) m.(28 Mar.1921 Belfast) Sarah Mary Davison
     Belfast City Cemetery- Glenalina Extension (A1 223): Sydney Arthur Skinner, age 61, 14 Selby St., died 27 Sept.1960, buried 29 Sept.1960. Elizabeth R. Caldwell, age 38, 26 Moyne Park Gilnahirk, died 2 Dec.1963, buried 4 Dec.1963. Sarah Mary Skinner, age 85, 8 Eurterpe St., died 17 Aug.1979, buried 20 Aug.1979.
7.   Henry Scanlon “Harry” Skinner (20 Sept.1899 Belfast-5 Apr.1981) m.(26 Dec.1921 Belfast) Margaret Gilliland
     Belfast City Cemetery- Glenalina Extension (M 15): Margaret Skinner, age 71, 48 Glenbryn Dr., died 1 Jan.1966, buried 4 Jan.1966. Henry Skinner, age 81, 48 Glenbryn Dr., died 5 Apr.1981, buried 8 Apr.1981.
8.   Essie Tweedy Skinner (27 Feb.1902 Belfast) m.(6 May 1922 Belfast) Francis Johnston

This family tree gives Catherine’s father as Hugh Gaw and there are other mistakes as well but there are lots of names and dates to check.
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/k/i/Moore-Weir-mills-Skinner/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0039.html

[Finiston]

Thanks aghadowey, you are invaluable!  I have found most of this, but I wasn't aware of James, born in 1893, so I'll get to work on that. The first Sydney (1895 - 1897) is also new to me.
The other family tree to which you referred is that of a second cousin who also lives in Ontario. He has very kindly put me on track for finding lots of information but he won't accept that Adam Gaw and Eliza Reid are Catherine's parents. As you say, there are a few other errors as well.
Brian

[Sooneratsaxpn1]

Hello aghadowey.  Thank you so much for the information.  Especially for the information on my Great Grandfather William Thomas Fulton.  I have tried very hard to find information on him and his family.  Unfortunately living in the United States and the fact that so many people in Ulster are named William Fulton only makes matters more difficult.  The fact that you have an age during the time of his death certainly gives me a lot of room to do research.  I am very sorry for the confusion when I mentioned the name Essie as my Great-Grandmother.  Yes, Maud Billinghurst is my Great-Grandmother.  When I mentioned the name Essie, I was actually thinking of my Grandmother Essie Astrid Billinghurst.  Thank you for clarifying the confusion.  You did mention that you had information on the Billinghurst family.  I would be very grateful for an information you may have on that family and so would my father.  His grandparents (William Fulton and Maud Billinghurst) passed away when he was still young and most of the information that he obtained was second hand.  My father was very close to his great aunt Agnes Billinghurst who married a man named Joe Martin (sic) and I believe they resided in Belfast.  I would be very happy for information on the Billinghurst family that you have.  Coincidently, would you know of any good sources online for war records?  From my understanding, my Great Grandfather William Fulton was a veteran of the Somme Battle in the First World War.  I was told by many that he had no use of his left arm which was a result of a rifle or bayonet wound which also resulted in his death later in life.  Again, I am not certain if this information is true or information that was fabricated by my Grandmother Essie Astrid Billinghurst.  Regardless, I would be very grateful if you could recommend a good source.  I have tried forces-war-records.co.uk and ancestory.co.uk but no luck.  I certainly do appreciate you time and am most grateful. 

[aghadowey]

Firstly, it may be that the records of William Fulton no longer exist- only about 1 third of WWI  records do.

Living in America shouldn't make it more difficult for you to find the same information I've found sitting at my computer at home. It's merely a matter of knowing which local resources to investigate. So, here's some Billinghurst notes.

Alfred Thomas Billinghurst (c1863 England-4 Feb.1952) m.1 (7 Dec.1883 Belfast) Essie Annie Dalton (c1865 Belfast-7 Dec.1910 Belfast); m.2 (27 Sept.1917 Belfast) Catherine (Gaw) Skinner (d.30 Oct.1943).
Marriage (1883): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FY72-16P
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Clifton/Rosewood/963034
Death (Essie Annie Billinghurst): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FRN2-SJ6
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Clifton/Southport_Street/147090
Belfast Evening Telegraph, 8 Dec.1913: In Memorium BILLINGHURST -- In affectionate remembrance of my dear wife, E. A. Billinghurst, who departed this life on the 7th December, 1910, and was interred in the family burying--ground, Blaris.  "God takes our loved ones from our homes, but never from our hearts." Inserted by her loving Husband and Son; Also, her Daughters.
   Marriage (1917) Bellinghurst.
   Belfast City Cemetery (G2 435): Alfred Thomas Billinghurst, age 50, died 6 Apr.1944 Belfast Mental Hospital, buried 8 Apr.1944. Alfred Thomas Billinghurst, age 89, 7 Linwood St., died 4 Feb.1952, buried 6 Feb.1952. James Keers, age 74, 22 Jaffa St., died 11 Jan.1963, buried 14 Jan.1963. Mary D. Keers, age 91, 22 Jaffa St.,  died 15 Dec.1978, buried 18 Dec.1978.
   Roselawn Cemetery (U 2536): Annie Billinghurst, age 83, 3 Jaffa St., died 11 Aug.1969, buried 13 Aug.1969. Margaret Eliza Billinghurst, age 73, 3 Jaffa St., died 13 Dec.1974, buried 16 Dec.1974.
1.   Annie Billinghurst (23 Aug.1885 Belfast-11 Aug.1969)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBC9-KW5
2.   Mary Dalton Billinghurst (13 Nov.1887 Belfast-15 Dec.1978) m.(25 Mar.1921 Belfast) James Keers (c1889-11 Jan.1963)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBZX-Y32
        Marriage: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FYFF-B22
3.   Alexander Billinghurst (21 July 1889 Belfast-27 May 1890 Belfast)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FB8V-1MX
        Death: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FTHF-H2L
4.   Jane Coates Dalton Billinghurst (26 Aug.1890 Belfast-27 Aug.1925 Whitehouse) m.(13 Apr.1915 Belfast) Edward Price (c1890-3 May 1982)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBDH-V5M
        Marriage: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FYXR-2Z5
        Belfast City Cemetery (M1 844): Miss Amelia Dalton Jones, 11 months, 50 Byron St., died 29 Aug.1899, buried 31 Aug.1899. Robert Jones, age 70, 6 Linwood St., died 8 Dec.1917, buried 10 Dec.1917. Edith Billinghurst, age 10, 24 Hillview St., died 24 Apr.1918 Purdysburn Hospital, buried 27 Apr.1918. Mary Jones, age 61, 6 Linwood St., died 28 Nov.1918, buried 1 Dec.1918. child of Edward & Jane Price, 18 hours, 1a Hillview St., died 10 Nov.1919, buried 11 Nov.1919.
        Belfast City Cemetery (G2 35): Jane Coates Dalton Price, age 35, Glassabreeden, died 27 Aug.1925 The Lodge Whitehouse, buried 29 Aug.1925. Edward Price, age 92, 61 Bentham St., died 3 May 1982, buried 6 May 1982.
        1.   child (d.10 Nov.1919, 18 hours old).
        2.   daughter (stillborn 12 July 1921).
                Belfast City Cemetery- Public Ground: stillborn female child of Edward & Jane Price, died 12 July 1921, buried 13 July 1921.
5.   Matilda “Maud” Billinghurst (24 Apr.1892 Belfast-1960) m. William Thomas Fulton
        Birth (Billingheerst): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FB6Z-CN5
        Marriage (Bellinghurst): https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FY6M-RML
6.   Alfred G./Thomas Billinghurst (31 Mar.1894 Belfast-6 Apr.1944 Belfast Mental Hosptial, Lisburn district)
7.   Alexander Billinghurst (10 Jan.1896 Belfast-21 July 1903 Belfast)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBF2-Z3F
        Death: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FTX1-H6L
8.   Nellie Billinghurst (2 July 1897 Belfast) m.(27 Dec.1921 Belfast) Hamilton Colquhon
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBNV-2MN
        Marriage: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FYFH-YMC
continued...

[aghadowey]

9.   Essie Anna Billinghurst (25 July 1899 Belfast) m.(2 Apr.1920 Belfast) Ernest Prentice (c1898)- 2 children
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBJR-SJ7
        Marriage: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FYFP-8ZW
        “Ernest Prentice, b. c. 1898, Belfast, Antrim, Ireland. Arrived on the S.S. Mount Royal with £6. Destined to work in lumber, Austin & Nicholson Ltd. in Chapleau, Ont. Nearest relative in Belfast was his wife ho lives at 13 Glenfarne St., Belfast. He m. Essie Anne Billinghurst. He moved to Canada in 1924, then to the home of his mother, Sarah Prentice, at 143 S. Western Ave., Chicago in 1926. Ernest and Essie had 2 children. Not in 1930 census.” http://prenticenet.com/pnet/news/?f=/news/2001/william_prentice_ireland_vancouver_canada.htm&v=1
10.   Margaret Eliza Billinghurst (10 May 1901 Belfast-13 Dec.1974)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBV5-P2X
11.   Agnes Billinghurst (23 Dec.1903 Belfast-aft.1911)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FB2D-V25
12.   Georgina “Ena” Billinghurst (29 Dec.1905 Belfast-aft.1911)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBGS-MZ3
13.   Edith Alexandra “Edie” Billinghurst (8 Nov.1907 Belfast-24 Apr.1918 Pursysburn Hospital, Lisburn)
        Birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FBLT-5JW
        Death: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FR2X-PPN See under sister Jane for burial details.
        Belfast Telegraph, 24 Apr.1919: In Memorium BILLINGHURST -- In fond and loving remembrance of my darling sister, Edith Alexandra (Edie), who departed this life on 24th April, 1918, and was interred in City Cemetery. Ten years, sweet child, of love and mirth To thee from God were given; A little angel when on earth, An angel now in heaven. Deeply regretted by her loving Sister, Brother- in-law, and little Niece. M. and W.T. FULTON.
        Belfast Telegraph, 24 Apr.1919: In Memorium BILLINGHURST -- In fond and loving remembrance of my darling sister, Edith Alexandra (Edie), who departed this life on 24th April 1918, and was interred in City Cemetery. Father, in Thy gracious keeping Leave we now our loved one sleeping. Ever remembered by her loving sister and Brother-in-law. J. and E. PRICE.
        Belfast Telegraph, 24 Apr.1919: In Memorium BILLINGHURST -- In affectionate remembrance of my darling sister, Edith Alexandra (Edie), who died on the 24th April, 1918, and was interred in the City Cemetery. The voice we loved is still Ever remembered by her sorrowing Sister MINNIE

[Sooneratsaxpn1]

Hello aghadowey,
Thank you so very much for the information that you have provided for the Billinghurst family.  You are correct about having to know which sources to seek out to gain family information because I can assure you that it has not been for a lack of effort.  I have tried sources from the National Archives to the Imperial War Museum for records but have usually hit a dead end.  Even trying to search for information on the online Belfast Telegraph archives and other sources have hit a dead end despite the fact that I know the information is there.  Regardless, I am very grateful for your time and information.