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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Sligo => Topic started by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 09:19 GMT (UK)

Title: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 09:19 GMT (UK)
On 15 February 1849 Alexander Sim junior, Collooney, married Jane Mary Allan Aitken, daughter of Robert Aitken and Jean Shanks, in Glasgow.

Their family included Jane Mary Robertina (married Robert Perry in 1872); Eugenia; Kathleen; Jessie Ann (married William Johnstone in 1880); Anna; Alexandrina; Maxwell; Alexander (married Alexandrina, surname and date of marriage unknown); Robert Aitken (married Annie Campbell in 1888). As far as I know all of them were born in Ireland, but I have no dates or details.

I think Alexander died in 1882 at Collooney; probate was granted to his solicitor and two unmarried ?daughters on 10 November 1882.

In the 1891 census, Jane Mary, described as a widow, was living at Roseneath, Dunbartonshire, Scotland with her daughter Kathleen and four grandchildren. She died at Roseneath in 1906.

In 1901 and 1911 Alexander Sim, wife Alexandrina and two daughters were living at Collooney.

I would be interested in any information to fill in the gaps in the information I have, and to add descendants.

Am I right in thinking that Alexander Sim, grain merchant, who is listed in the Glasgow Post Office directories from 1842-3 until 1847-8, is the same Alexander Sim junior? Was he also the owner of the barque Collooney (287 tons), built in Aberdeen in 1844, owned by A Sim, Glasgow, and eventually wrecked in 1862?

In his uncle's will, dated 1884, Maxwell Sim of Forsyth was to receive a gold watch. Where is Forsyth?

Who was the father of granddaughter Mary Sim, born in England and aged 9 in the 1891 census?
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Friday 14 November 14 10:18 GMT (UK)
Alexander Sim died 17 June 1882-
http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchives.ie/search/cwa/details.jsp?id=1639268488
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 10:23 GMT (UK)
Thank you, aghadowey. I'll have to see how I can get a copy of that.

The plot thickens. According to the 1911 census, Alexander and Alexandrina Sim had been married for 23 years, i.e. 1887/8.

There is in the Cheshire marriages index a marriage on 20 December 1887 of Alexander Sim, son of Alexander Sim, to Alexandrina Sim, daughter of Alexander Sim.

The 1901 census says that Alexandrina was born in Scotland, but the 1911 says she was born in Co Sligo. Also she aged 13 years between 1901 and 1911 (42 to 55) and Alexander aged 15 years in the same period (40 to 55). There is no birth of an Alexandrina Sim to father Alexander between 1855 and 1860 in the Scottish indexes.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: gaffy on Friday 14 November 14 14:42 GMT (UK)

... As far as I know all of them were born in Ireland, but I have no dates or details ...


The RootsIreland website has 10 baptisms for this couple, all I can say is good value if you want to see many records, not good if you want to see just a few. I've sent you a pm.
 
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Friday 14 November 14 15:34 GMT (UK)
Thank you, aghadowey. I'll have to see how I can get a copy of that.

"...Most pre-1900 deposited wills were destroyed by the 1922 shelling of the Public Record Office located in the Four Courts building in Dublin, marking the beginning of the civil war. However, some paper indexes exist for pre-1858 wills. Copies of wills made between 1858 and 1922 were kept by the District Probate Registries and so survived. Those covering the years between 1858 and 1900 have been microfilmed. ..."
http://www.genguide.co.uk/source/wills-amp-admons-ireland/168/
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Friday 14 November 14 15:41 GMT (UK)
The plot thickens. According to the 1911 census, Alexander and Alexandrina Sim had been married for 23 years, i.e. 1887/8.

There is in the Cheshire marriages index a marriage on 20 December 1887 of Alexander Sim, son of Alexander Sim, to Alexandrina Sim, daughter of Alexander Sim.

The 1901 census says that Alexandrina was born in Scotland, but the 1911 says she was born in Co Sligo. Also she aged 13 years between 1901 and 1911 (42 to 55) and Alexander aged 15 years in the same period (40 to 55). There is no birth of an Alexandrina Sim to father Alexander between 1855 and 1860 in the Scottish indexes.
#
Alexander James Sim married 1887-
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F3G1-HB3
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 15:46 GMT (UK)
Thanks again. Yes, I found that marriage, which ties in nicely with Alexandrina having been married 23 years by the date of the 1911 census.

I have e-mailed the National Archives in Dublin to enquire how I can see that will without travelling to Ireland in person. Though it mighthave to come to that, I suppose.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 15:51 GMT (UK)
The RootsIreland website has 10 baptisms for this couple
I've sent you a pm.

Thank you, gaffy. I have had a rake around on the RootsIreland site, and the Co Sligo genealogy site. The latter says it has no records at all for surname Sim  ??? So perhaps the children were born somewhere other than Sligo.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Friday 14 November 14 16:09 GMT (UK)
1838 baptism in Dublin for daughter of Alexander Sim, Sligo-
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/b274870196780
http://churchrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/details/4f0a170197314
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 16:29 GMT (UK)
Thank you, aghadowey. That's useful! I wonder why she was baptised in Dublin? By extension, maybe that's where they were all baptised. And is Elizabeth a first wife of Alexander Sim jr, or the mother of Alexander Sim jr? (In genealogy, every answer raises two new questions!)
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Friday 14 November 14 17:18 GMT (UK)
37 results for Name: Alexander Sim, Event: Birth, Place: Ireland, Event Range: 1840-1920, Country:Ireland
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e6p/
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Friday 14 November 14 17:34 GMT (UK)
Alexander Sim seems to have been having a bit of difficulty in Sligo at that time according to newspaper reports so perhaps wife was staying in Dublin when she had the baby (christenings usually took place fairly soon after birth).

Belfast Newsletter, 20 June 1882: SIM.- June 17, at The Abbey, collooney, County Sligo, Alexander Sim, Esq., J.P., aged 79 years.

Glasgow Herald, 22 Dec.1887: SIM-SIM.- At St. Mary's Church, Bowden, Cheshire, on the 20th inst., by the Rev. Archdeacon Gore, Alexander Sim, jun., third son of Alex. Sim, late of Sligo, to Alexandrina, daughter of the late Alexander Sim, Esq., J.P., Collooney, county Sligo.

Glasgow Herald, 16 Mar.1889: SIM.- At the Abbey, Colooney, Co. Sligo, on the 14th inst., the wife of Alexander Sim, J.P.; of a daughter.

The Standard (London), 9 Oct.1890: SIM.- Sept. 8, at Camphill House, Collooney, county Sligo, the wife of Alexander Sim, of a daughter.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 17:40 GMT (UK)
37 results for Name: Alexander Sim, Event: Birth, Place: Ireland, Event Range: 1840-1920, Country:Ireland http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e6p/

Thank you. I have already done that search. Only 17 of the 37 listed actually have given name Alexander/Alexanderina (one of the really annoying features of FamilySearch!)
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 17:48 GMT (UK)
Alexander Sim seems to have been having a bit of difficulty in Sligo at that time according to newspaper reports.
Which newspapers?

Quote
Glasgow Herald, 22 Dec.1887: SIM-SIM.- At St. Mary's Church, Bowden, Cheshire, on the 20th inst., by the Rev. Archdeacon Gore, Alexander Sim, jun., third son of Alex. Sim, late of Sligo, to Alexandrina, daughter of the late Alexander Sim, Esq., J.P., Collooney, county Sligo.
Too many Alexanders! FreeBMD has him as Alexander James, and gaffy found that Alexander James was baptised in 1854. What this suggests to me is that the Alexander Sim who died in 1882 is not the husband of Jane Mary Allan Aitken or Sim. Or perhaps Alexander James Sim is not her son.

I wonder if "Alex Sim, late of Sligo" is the one who was a boarder in the home of William John Coffee in the Wirral in 1881 and 1891, and who probably died in Birkenhead in 1892.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 18:11 GMT (UK)
Which newspapers?

Ah! Got it, or at least one such report.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Friday 14 November 14 18:20 GMT (UK)
37 results for Name: Alexander Sim, Event: Birth, Place: Ireland, Event Range: 1840-1920, Country:Ireland http://www.rootschat.com/links/01e6p/

Thank you. I have already done that search. Only 17 of the 37 listed actually have given name Alexander/Alexanderina (one of the really annoying features of FamilySearch!)

Didn't know that you'd already done it!!
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 14 November 14 18:22 GMT (UK)
No, it was after I'd posted the original query. Your help is much appreciated, thank you.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Friday 11 August 17 22:00 BST (UK)
Hi there, I am great granddaughter of Eva Sim, daughter of Alexander and Alexandrina Sim of Camphill, Collooney, Co Sligo, so if you have any questions I might be able to help.  I have a tree online on MyHeritage I can invite you to look at if you let me have your email....Jennifer
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Monday 14 August 17 17:22 BST (UK)
Hi there, I am great granddaughter of Eva Sim, daughter of Alexander and Alexandrina Sim of Camphill, Collooney, Co Sligo, so if you have any questions I might be able to help.  I have a tree online on MyHeritage I can invite you to look at if you let me have your email....Jennifer
Hello, Jennifer, very pleased to meet you.

I can only send you my e-mail address after you have made 3 posts to the RootsChat forums. RootsChat does not allow me to put my e-mail address in the public domain.

So please post a couple more messages and then we can get in touch.

I am intrigued by your message because as far as I knew Alexander and Alexandrina had only two daughters, Anna and Alexandrina. I look forward to hearing more about Eva.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Monday 14 August 17 18:50 BST (UK)
Hi there, I am great granddaughter of Eva Sim, daughter of Alexander and Alexandrina Sim of Camphill, Collooney, Co Sligo, so if you have any questions I might be able to help.  I have a tree online on MyHeritage I can invite you to look at if you let me have your email....Jennifer

I'm a bit puzzled by this daughter Eva also. I can't see a possible birth for her anywhere in Ireland and in 1911 census Alexandrina Sim says she had had 2 children (both living) which would be Anna and Alexandrina Mary-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Sligo/Ballysadare_East/Bleachgreen/908333
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Monday 14 August 17 22:56 BST (UK)
Sorry yes you're both right, there were just two daughters...Anna and Alexandrina Mary aka Eva...
Eva married Henry Charles Gordon McCormick, and they lived at The Abbey, Collooney.  Gordon enlisted in the Great War and fought at Salonika in the Service Core.  He and Eva had four daughters, the eldest Kathleen was my grandmother.  I've researched the McCormick's fairly well but haven't much information on the Sims so maybe we can work together....
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Monday 14 August 17 23:01 BST (UK)
Very exciting to find people researching the Sims.... ;D
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Tuesday 15 August 17 07:54 BST (UK)
Brilliant! Thank you. I knew about the two daughters and their husbands' names but nothing about their children. I will PM you.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Tuesday 15 August 17 09:48 BST (UK)
That's great thanks Forfarian! I think Anna Sim married two times, attachment shows her marriage to an Italian Count...

copyright image removed
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 15 August 17 10:03 BST (UK)
Which Anna Sim are you talking about?

Anna Sim, daughter of Alexander Sim & Alexandrina Sim, was born 1889-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1889/02474/1918669.pdf

www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Sligo/Ballysadare_East/Bleachgreen/1682257
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Sligo/Ballysadare_East/Bleachgreen/908333

Note: link to marriage of Anna Sim in 1885 to Giulio Icardi- shows her as born c1841:
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NN73-NGN
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Tuesday 15 August 17 15:33 BST (UK)
Yes sorry again...there must be another Anna...maybe Alexander James Sim's sister, an aunt of Anna & Alexandrina (Eva)....I can see there are flaws in my tree....
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Tuesday 15 August 17 15:42 BST (UK)
Hmmm. Alexander James Sim's parents were married in 1849, so this Anna Sim aged 44 in 1885 would have been born in 1840 or 1841 so is too old to be a child of theirs.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Tuesday 15 August 17 16:06 BST (UK)
OK back to the drawing board for me....I can see you are pretty sharp on this stuff!!!
This might help a bit with Anna's story....
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/small-store-that-made-huge-contribution-to-war-effort-30480621.html


Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Tuesday 15 August 17 17:04 BST (UK)
This might help a bit with Anna's story....
That's wonderful, thank you very much. Some of the details don't match the records (marriage was 1915, not after the war, and Hugh's death in 1923, not 1922) but the story is great.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Afer on Wednesday 13 September 17 09:53 BST (UK)
I am a grandson of Walter Stewart Sim who was born in Collooney sometime in the 1850s or 60s. He was a consulting engineer in Cape Town, South Africa. I am interested in obtaining a copy of his birth certificate
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 13 September 17 09:57 BST (UK)
I am a grandson of Walter Stewart Sim who was born in Collooney sometime in the 1850s or 60s. He was a consulting engineer in Cape Town, South Africa. I am interested in obtaining a copy of his birth certificate

Civil registration of births started in 1864 so if he was born before this date there will be no birth certificate and you're dependant on church registers surviving (not all records are online).
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 13 September 17 10:09 BST (UK)
In a conversation with the writer, Mr. Sim has given the following version of his difference with the Messrs. Kelly : Mr. Sim took the Collooney mills from William and Andrew Kelly, under lease for 50 years, at 500 per year, the term running from 1838.

"When the Agricultural Bank failed, Camphill was among its assets, the bank having advanced
money on the security of that property. The place was advertised tor sale, and Mr. Sim went to old Andrew Kelly, and said, " How are you now to secure me in the guarantee you gave of not allowing additional
opposition?" " The only way to act," replied Mr. Kelly, "is to buy the property yourself, which the Provincial Bank will sell for 4500, and let us now go and see Mr. Webster, the manager." Accordingly,
they went to the Provincial Bank, but the manager refused to transmit any proposal for purchase without a deposit of 1000. Mr. Sim deposited the money, was declared the purchaser, and [was put in possession of
Camphill. After the taking of possession, but before the deeds were completed, Mr. Kelly said to him, "Now that you have succeeded, I expect a consideration of .300 for my trouble." "No," rejoined the
other, " nor 300 pence." The war then arose, and lasted for seven months,
after which Father Michael Flynn came to Mr. Sim, and said, "Oh, this thing has gone too far, and what do you mean to do ?" In reply Mr- Sim informed the priest that if he got the purchase-money and payment
for his improvements, he would give up Camphill. Father Flynn went to Sligo, had an interview with the Messrs. Madden, Mr. Kelly's brothers-in-law, and got the money for Mr. Sim, so that the affair was
completed. On leaving Mr. Sim received 6000, Sir John Benson valuing the improvements at 1000.

https://archive.org/stream/historyantiquiti00ororiala/historyantiquiti00ororiala_djvu.txt
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 13 September 17 10:17 BST (UK)
Corn Mill (mik997) by mik997 (flickr) Tags: mill river corn alexander sim collooney millfalls owenmore Share on: Facebook Twitter Tumblr Email

Image 34 of 50   https://hiveminer.com/User/mik997
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Afer on Wednesday 13 September 17 10:57 BST (UK)
Thank you very much. I'll see what I can do. Perhaps the Irish Consulate in Athens will accept the proofs I already have - my father's birth certificate. I'm also interested in another Sim relation of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century who settled on St Helena
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 13 September 17 11:05 BST (UK)
Thank you very much. I'll see what I can do. Perhaps the Irish Consulate in Athens will accept the proofs I already have - my father's birth certificate. I'm also interested in another Sim relation of the late nineteenth/early twentieth century who settled on St Helena

Are you trying obtain an Irish passport/claim Irish citizenship through your grandfather's Irish birth?
https://www.dfa.ie/passports-citizenship/citizenship/born-abroad/born-abroad-citizenship-by-descent-faqs/
https://www.dfa.ie/passports-citizenship/citizenship/born-abroad/registering-a-foreign-birth/
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Afer on Wednesday 13 September 17 11:13 BST (UK)
Yes, I am. Thanks very much for the link
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Wednesday 13 September 17 11:24 BST (UK)
In the 1980 there were lots of researchers searching for Irish birth records for overseas clients trying to leave Rhodesia and other African countries but I do know of several clergy here getting requests at that time for baptism records for grandparents or parents born before 1864 so I suspect that will be the route you will need to follow.
If your branch of the Sim family in Sligo were Church of Ireland you'll need to see how far back the registers go as many COI registers sent to Dublin for safekeeping were destroyed in the Civil War.
Good luck  :)
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Afer on Wednesday 13 September 17 11:50 BST (UK)
That sounds promising, but it will certainly take time. I think Walter Sim was Scots Presbyterian. My father's cousins lived at Camphill House until the 70s or 80s. I've lost touch with them. Rubena Nisham was my father's second cousin. Anyway, thank you very much for your help. I'll post any progress!
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Wednesday 13 September 17 14:41 BST (UK)
Thanks for that information, Hallmark

Afer, if you are a grandson of Walter Stuart/Stewart Sim, you and I are related. Would you be interested in exchanging notes?

What I have is a transcription of the information in the registers of baptisms:

Name: Walter Stuart Sim
Date of Birth: 29-May-1860
Date of Baptism:  15-Dec-1860
Address:  Bayview, Sligo
Parish/District: St Johns Union
Gender:  Male
County:  Co Sligo
Denomination:  Church of Ireland
Father: Alexander
Mother: Jane
Occupation: Mill Owner

but I don't have a note of where I found it (I know - I should have!)

As I understand it this is before the start of formal birth certificates in Ireland.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Afer on Wednesday 13 September 17 16:22 BST (UK)
Oh yes, I would indeed. I have to rush out now, but I will get back later this evening and look through your message properly
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Saturday 23 September 17 14:57 BST (UK)
Thanks from me too for that info Hallmark!
Hi Afer, my GG Grandfather was Walter Sim's brother, Alexander James Sim.  I don't know much about the Sim family but have discovered some distant cousins through this forum which is quite exciting.  I can message you if you like :D
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Saturday 23 September 17 15:21 BST (UK)
Gravestones
http://www.kabristan.org.uk/kabristan-indexes/ireland-indexes/70-ireland-county-sligo-graveyards-part-iii/1237-county-sligo-graveyards-part-iii-s

SIM Alexander
(St Paul’s Church of Ireland Collooney County Sligo Ireland)

SIM Alexander James
(St Paul’s Church of Ireland Collooney County Sligo Ireland)
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Afer on Saturday 23 September 17 15:30 BST (UK)
Hi poolmac, yes do message (*)

(*) Moderator Comment: e-mail removed in accordance with RootsChat policy,
to avoid spamming and other abuses.
Please use the Personal Message (PM) system for exchanging personal data.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Saturday 23 September 17 15:40 BST (UK)
Thanks again Hallmark, I will pop into St Paul's cemetery in Collooney next time I'm passing to visit the graves and take a look at the headstones.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Saturday 23 September 17 15:45 BST (UK)
Maybe contact Sheila if interested??


1.20 Extracts from correspondence - part 20

Alexander SIMS died 1886 at Collooney Mills, Sligo, his nephew James SYM, Sheboygan, WI date 1890-03-18

Her email address is here  https://sites.google.com/site/irishgleanings/home
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Saturday 23 September 17 15:48 BST (UK)
Thanks again Hallmark, I will pop into St Paul's cemetery in Collooney next time I'm passing to visit the graves and take a look at the headstones.

I did take some photos there but no Sims

http://www.igp-web.com/IGPArchives/ire/sligo/photos/tombstones/sligo-collooney-coi/index.html

email address of rector there too....
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Saturday 23 September 17 16:07 BST (UK)
Hi Hallmark,
Sorry but who is Sheila?
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Saturday 23 September 17 16:09 BST (UK)
Sheila is the person who puts up the correspondence on that site.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Saturday 23 September 17 16:14 BST (UK)
Ok thanks I'll take a look at the site and see.  The photos are great, I wonder are they inscriptions inside the church...
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Saturday 23 September 17 16:16 BST (UK)
You will need to email her to get the correspondence.....
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Saturday 23 September 17 17:12 BST (UK)
Ok Hallmark I will and I'll let you know what I find out!
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Monday 25 September 17 19:19 BST (UK)
Hi Hallmark,
I contacted Sheila and she very kindly sent me two correspondences which are interesting to say the least....they are a bit personal but as it's so long ago (1890) I'm sure no one will mind if I share it on line....or I could send it to you privately???
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Monday 25 September 17 19:50 BST (UK)
Yes, Sheila has some interesting stuff on her site.

If it is personal then maybe just disclose any names/relationships mentioned therein??
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: aghadowey on Monday 25 September 17 20:33 BST (UK)
Might be polite to ask her permission before you share the information she sent you online  ;)
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Monday 25 September 17 20:43 BST (UK)
Ok thanks I will do that!
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Sunday 01 October 17 23:17 BST (UK)
One of those letters, which have kindly been sent to me, refers to a James Sym, a long-term resident of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, USA, who instigated in 1890 an enquiry into the estate of his uncle Alexander Sym [sic] of Collooney.

There is a family in Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan, Wisconsin in 1880 comprising
James Sims, 65, born Scotland; wife Elgin Sims, 65, born Scotland; widowed son James Sims, 43, born Scotland; James Sims, grandson, 13, born Wisconsin; George Sims, grandson, 8, born Wisconsin; Elgin Sims, granddaughter, 6, born Wisconsin; son Robert Sims, 23, born Wisconsin.

James Sym, son of James Sym and Elgin Menzies, was born 2 August and baptised 18 September 1836 in Gorbals parish.

So it looks as if James Sr would have been born about 1814 or 1815, so he could be a brother of Alexander Sim Jr who was born about 1820. I haven't found them in Wisconsin in 1850 or in Scotland in 1851 so they probably emigrated about 1850, just too late to be enumerated in Wisconsin, and just in time not to be enumerated in Scotland (how annoying is that!).  Now if there is a death certificate in Wisconsin, and if it names James Sr's parents, we might then know the names of the parents of Alexander Sim Jr.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Sunday 01 October 17 23:54 BST (UK)
Name
   COLLOONEY
Construction
   WOOD
Type
   BARQUE
Date
   1844
Description
   Rig: BARQUE
Type: Sailing
Yard Number: 143
Owner: Alexander Sim, Glasgow

Builder's List: Contract Price £3,667

Wrecked: North Atlantic, August 1862.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Sunday 01 October 17 23:57 BST (UK)
http://www.aberdeenships.com/single.asp?offset=570&index=100064
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Monday 02 October 17 08:26 BST (UK)
Thanks, Hallmark.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Saturday 07 October 17 21:57 BST (UK)
Great detective work Forfarian!!
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Saturday 07 October 17 21:59 BST (UK)
Great detective work Forfarian!!

Ahem ....  ;D
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: poolmac on Saturday 21 October 17 18:57 BST (UK)
Yes you too Hallmark :P I am delighted with your suggestion that I contact Sheila about getting the letters from the Irish Consul regarding the Sim Mills in Collooney...fantastic stuff...I must look further into the barque Collooney too...pity it was wrecked.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Saturday 21 October 17 19:17 BST (UK)
Yes you too Hallmark :P I am delighted with your suggestion that I contact Sheila about getting the letters from the Irish Consul regarding the Sim Mills in Collooney...fantastic stuff...I must look further into the barque Collooney too...pity it was wrecked.

 ;D

Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Wednesday 11 July 18 16:37 BST (UK)
I'm still on the track of the Sim family, and wondered if anyone has any idea what became of the sons John Sim, born 1850; Maxwell George Sim, born 1856; and Allison Arthur Sim, born 1857.

In the will of his uncle Alexander Waddell Aitken, who died in Australia in 1884, Maxwell Sim of Forsyth was to receive a gold watch. Where is Forsyth?

One A A Sim, Collooney, paid for a dog licence for a male black retriever on 30 March 1900. He paid 2s for the licence and a fee of 6d. Was this Allison Arthur?

Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:19 BST (UK)
"One A A Sim, Collooney, paid for a dog licence for a male black retriever on 30 March 1900. He paid 2s for the licence and a fee of 6d. Was this Allison Arthur?"

Born 1857, bought the licence 1900, not much help Forfarian but if she remained a spinster, more chance of finding a death (if it's her)?

I don't see a marriage or death in Ireland?

Maybe someone with more experience with Irish records will do better?

Annie



Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:23 BST (UK)
Only 1 on 1901 Census

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Sligo/Ballysadare_East/Bleachgreen/1682257/
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:28 BST (UK)
C Reg Birth, Marriage and Death results for Sim
Area - Boyle    http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mce/
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:30 BST (UK)
 Birth, Marriage and Death results for Sim
Area - Sligo


http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mcf/
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:32 BST (UK)
I'm still on the track of the Sim family, and wondered if anyone has any idea what became of the sons John Sim, born 1850; Maxwell George Sim, born 1856; and Allison Arthur Sim, born 1857.

In the will of his uncle Alexander Waddell Aitken, who died in Australia in 1884, Maxwell Sim of Forsyth was to receive a gold watch. Where is Forsyth?

One A A Sim, Collooney, paid for a dog licence for a male black retriever on 30 March 1900. He paid 2s for the licence and a fee of 6d. Was this Allison Arthur?

Scotland.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:38 BST (UK)
A possible?

Maxwell G Sims 28
Dept. Melbourne, Vica
Arrival. Sydney, New South Wales
Arrival Date 11 Jan 1886
Vessel Name Leura
Origin British

Hallmark, are you thinking of Rosyth?


Annie
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:43 BST (UK)
A possible?

Maxwell G Sims 28
Dept. Melbourne, Vica
Arrival. Sydney, New South Wales
Arrival Date 11 Jan 1886
Vessel Name Leura
Origin British

Hallmark, are you thinking of Rosyth?


Annie


Guilty!   ;D
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:45 BST (UK)
I'm still on the track of the Sim family, and wondered if anyone has any idea what became of the sons John Sim, born 1850; Maxwell George Sim, born 1856; and Allison Arthur Sim, born 1857.

In the will of his uncle Alexander Waddell Aitken, who died in Australia in 1884, Maxwell Sim of Forsyth was to receive a gold watch. Where is Forsyth?

One A A Sim, Collooney, paid for a dog licence for a male black retriever on 30 March 1900. He paid 2s for the licence and a fee of 6d. Was this Allison Arthur?

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forsayth,_Queensland   ??
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:50 BST (UK)
Thanks, both.

No death of Maxwell Sim in QLD, NSW or VIC :(
Or in NZ

Nothing in Trove or Paperspast.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Rosinish on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:59 BST (UK)
Forfarian...

I hadn't viewed the image when I posted the details Reply #69

Maxwell G was an AB (Seaman)

May be worth checking details of the ship for place possibilities?

"Vessel Name Leura"

Annie
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 11 July 18 19:59 BST (UK)
Thanks, both.

No death of Maxwell Sim in QLD, NSW or VIC :(
Or in NZ

Nothing in Trove or Paperspast.


Sims   ??
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: hallmark on Wednesday 11 July 18 20:04 BST (UK)
The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle..
.
.
.
.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Wednesday 11 July 18 22:17 BST (UK)
Thank you. I do have quite a lot of information about the barque 'Collooney' but that was new to me.

The SS 'Leura' was built in Liverpool in 1878 and seems mostly to have shuttled between Sydney, Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

No death of Maxwell Sim in South Australia.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Wednesday 11 July 18 22:17 BST (UK)
Sims   ??
Quite a few, but not the one I am looking for.
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Thursday 25 October 18 13:01 BST (UK)
Having finally bitten the bullet and paid up for the death certificate of Alexander Sim, who died in 1892 in Wallasey, I am not really surprised that I am not much the wiser. In particular I still lack sufficient proof that he is Alexander Sim junior of Sim's Mills, Collooney, and (estranged) husband of Jane Mary Allan Aitken.

The informant was William John Coffee, in whose household Alexander Sim was a boarder in both 1881 and 1891. In 1881 Alexander Sim was described as 'Merchant's clerk'. In 1891 he was 'Retired miller'. In his death certificate he is described as 'formerly a foreman Dock Porter'.

In 1881 and Jane Mary, living apart from her husband, describes herself as married, and in 1891 and 1901 she says widowed. Alexander says in both 1881 and 1891 that he is married.

(I did look into William John Coffee to see if he was some sort of relative but it looks unlikely. WJC was born in London in 1825, son of Matthew Coffee and Elizabeth Wyatt. He moved with his family to Liverpool before 1841. In 1851 WJC was living in Liverpool with his sister Alice and her husband John Bibby. Later that year he married Hannah Hewitt. In 1851 he was described as an 'annuitant'. In 1861 and 1871 he was a 'licensed victualler' and in 1881 and 1891 an 'emigration agent'.)

Does anyone have any ideas of any other source that might provide evidence that the Alexander Sim who died in 1892 was indeed the husband of Jane Mary Allan Aitken?
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 26 October 18 04:01 BST (UK)
"Does anyone have any ideas of any other source that might provide evidence that the Alexander Sim who died in 1892 was indeed the husband of Jane Mary Allan Aitken?"

Forfarian, it's just too late for me to run through all of this thread to capture everything so far but possibly finding a will with their children's names even if the wife isn't mentioned...just a thought?

Annie
Title: Re: Alexander Sim, of Sim's Mills, Collooney
Post by: Forfarian on Friday 26 October 18 08:46 BST (UK)
I have searched the Calendar of Probate and found no evidence that he left a will.