James Owens, Larne

[Gilli-Anne]

I have a copy of a tombstone inscription that says that James Owens, son of Alexander Owens, died in December 1912 aged 61. I have found a record of a James Owens in the 1901 Irish Census and also in the 1911 one along with his wife and children. There is another James Owens in the 1901 Census, along with his wife and children. The latter James is 2 years younger than the other one, but I can't find any other record of him. My problem is that one of his children mentioned in the census is Rachel, but a written note of my aunt's mentions a Rachel in connection with the first James. To confuse matters even further, one James appears to have been married to a Mary Owens and the other to a Mary Jane Owens.

Anyone know this family?

Gillian

[aghadowey]

For reference- 1911 census James Owens in Larne:
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Larne/Point/195355
1901 census for same James Owens-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Larne/Point_Street/995782
Wills Index (www.proni.gov.uk)- Probate of the Will with one Codicil of James Owens late of Point Street Larne County Antrim Plasterer who died 25 July 1912 granted at Belfast to John Owens Plasterer and Samuel McMeekin Draper
Note: this date is in July 1912 not December 1912.

1911 Census- Mary Jane Owens (widow), daughter Rachel and other children-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Kilwaughter/Ballysnod/195001
Same family in 1901 census-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Kilwaughter/Ballysnodd/994949
Possibly the James Owens from this family (same townland): Probate of the Will of James Owens late of Ballysnodd County Antrim Farmer who died 28 August 1907 granted at Belfast to William Owens Plasterer.

Note: both James Owens' executors were plasterers. Searching for Owens & keyword plasterer in PRONI index brings up some interesting results (there are others but these are most relevent at the moment.
Alexander Owens- The Will of Alexander Owens late of Ballysnod County Antrim Plasterer deceased who died 5 September 1877 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oaths of James Owens of Ballysnod Plasterer and John Richie of Larne Baker both in (Larne) same County the Executors.
James Owens- Probate of the Will of James Owens late of Ballysnodd Larne County Antrim Farmer who died 10 May 1896 granted at Belfast to James Owens Junior of Ballysnodd Farmer and James Owens of Larne Plasterer both said County.

[Gilli-Anne]

Thanks very much for all that information. I have ordered and received from Emerald Ancestors details of James Owens and Mary Jane's marriage in 1891. From those and from the other information you sent, that James was the son of another James, possibly a brother of Alexander Owens (?) who was my maternal grandmother's maternal grandfather. I have been unable to find data to prove this relationship. I have also found out that the Mary Jane mentioned above was most likely the daughter of William Owens and Rachel Forsythe which would make it more likely that James and Mary Jane would have a daughter called Rachel.

I haven't found a birth record to fit Mary Owens who married the other James Owens, whom I know to have been the son of Alexander Owens, but I have enough from what you gave me plus the record from Emerald Ancestors to make some amendments to my family tree on Ancestry.

I think I'll go and have a look at the PRONI site now!

Thanks very much for your help.

Gillian

[Jennie-k]

Hi Gilli-Anne, I am new on here and noticed your post on the Owens family of Ballysnod. I know of someone who has done extensive work on this family and may be able to help you. Let me know if you want to get in touch with them.
Jennie-k

[imeldageordie]

Jennie

I wonder if your friend (or indeed anyone else!)  may be able to help me. I have Owens ancestors in County Antrim, who then went on to Airdrie in Scotland during the famine and eventually ended up in Tyneside. I'm finding it very difficult to find out exactly where they lived in Antrim and the only info I have is that it was a Francis Owens born c.1816 in Antrim, (who was married to a Sarah Barbour born c.1811 in Antrim) who came across to Glasgow. They had at least 4 children, all born Ireland as follows:

-Margaret born c.1836 Ireland
-Martha born c.1840 Ireland
-Francis born c.1843 Co Antrim
-William born c.1845 Ireland

Francis c.1816 was (according to his death cert) the son of a James Owens (farmer) and Margaret McNeilly.

Can anyone help with any further info? I'm a complete novice with the Irish stuff (but unfortunately have uncovered loads of my tree ends up there...!)

Thanks

Julie

[Jennie-k]

Hi, my friend is on holiday at present, so when she gets back I will see if she has anything that would help with your search.
Jennie

[imeldageordie]

Thank you so much Jennie x

[Gilli-Anne]

Thanks Jennie, that could be useful. I am in contact with a descendant of the Owens family who lives in America and who has also done extensive work on the family. It would be helpful to see if your contact has any more information to add.

Gillian