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Hi
Thank you, great point.  My understanding is that when in the US, they were Methodist, at least my great grandfather who moved to Connecticut in the US. In Ireland I know that George and Frances were married at the Church of Milltown which I believe falls under the Church of Ireland.  Both would indicate then a potential origin in England, I would think.

Anyway, thanks so much for your help.  Good luck with your continued research!
Laura

Hi

I actually was thinking for a time that George Wilson's death was in 1889 (Jan 10th).  I see a death record for George Wilson in 1884 listed as a weaver, which of course makes sense, but I dismissed this one because in 1889 (he is listed as a laborer) the reporting party is a James Greenaway.  That said, I'm not convinced I have it correct as the 1884 makes more sense and it makes more sense for my James Wilson being sent to live with my great grandfather Thomas in the US.  You said you had seen Milltown records, so with those confirming 1884, I stand corrected.  If you need any information on the Wilsons that came to the US, let me know, I'm happy to provide anything.  Thank you, Laura. 

Re:  reply #11, yes, I'm all set on this.  Have discovered that Mary was Isabella Gilpin's sister (Thomas Wilson's wife) and it was that Mary who married Richard McClelland and live in NJ.

Thanks,
Laura

Thank you for finding Arthur's marriage to Eliza, it likely eliminates him as a brother to Thomas since the father's name is different.  Thomas' father was George; Arthur's is William...at least I can perhaps remove this couple and their son as being my James.
Thanks again, Laura

Hi Everyone!  Looking for any possible assistance trying to figure out the relationship between my great grandfather, Thomas WILSON, born June 24, 1861 in Ballynary, Tartaraghan, Armagh, Ireland and another gentleman (James, more below) who may be either his son or nephew. Thomas’ parents were George Wilson (1829-Jan 10, 1889) and Francis Greenaway (Dec 17, 1827- Nov 2, 1884). I can only find the following siblings for Thomas: Anne, Jane, Mary, Elizabeth and James. Thomas moved to Manchester, CT to work at the Cheney Silk Mills in the late 1880s. He married Isabella Gilpin on October 6, 1891 in Astoria, Queens, NY. They had 3 daughters: Ethel (my grandmother), Amanda and Maude. However, at some point in the 1890s, a James Wilson (born June 28, 1884 in Portadown) comes to live with Thomas and Isabella. James also worked at the silk mills, he notes on his employment card that his father is Thomas and his sister is Ethel. Thomas’ employment card lists James as a relative but doesn’t define to what degree. When Thomas died in 1952, his obituary lists James as his son. Isabella’s obit in 1915 doesn’t even mention James. James’ grandson told me that he said that he was orphaned in Ireland and came to live with Thomas but he never discussed the nature of the relationship. I had hoped that finding Thomas’ parents and siblings in Armagh would have cleared this up but it’s another roadblock. I can only find one brother for Thomas, James, born Jan 17, 1854 but I have no further information on him, whether he married, had children, died and left a child orphaned. And I cannot find a birth through the civil registry for James that gives me anything definitive. There is a James born June 25th 1884 to an Arthur Wilson and Elizabeth Reid, but I can’t tie them to Thomas. If anyone has any information, I’d love to finally figure out the relationship. Was Thomas James’ father or uncle perhaps? Thanks so much. Laura.