McBeath / McBeth / McBey....

[bantry]

My ggfather William Greer married Eliza Jane McBeath some time in the late 1850's(?). William was from Woodtown, Conwall. I do not know where Eliza was from.
In 1890 William sailed to New Zealand with his son John and his family, but there is no record of Eliza, so I assume that she must have pre-deceased him
Can someone please help me locate her?

Graeme

[aghadowey]

Is there a reason you've posted this in Co. Donegal board? Any idea what religion they were? (civil registration in Ireland of Catholic marriages began 1864- too late in this case- but other marriages registered from 1845- so there might be a chance of finding a marriage certificate).
What was William Greer's occupation? am wondering if he was from Cornwall how he could have met and married Eliza Jane.

[bantry]

Thanks for your prompt reply

Conwal not Cornwall. To my knowledge the Greers (Griers) were presbyterian - Ramelton.
William's occuption as listed in NZ death register was 'farmer'

Graeme

[Christopher]

Hello hemi.semi, 

McBeath's a rare name in Ireland. When the Valuations took place there were three listed in the country. One each in Co. Derry, Dublin city and Co. Waterford.   

Christopher

[bantry]

Christopher

Geographically I would have to look at Derry. However I think they continued to live in Woodtown.  When William's son John married at the Ramelton Second Presbyterian Church in 1888 his given address was still Woodtown.
McBeath was the mother's name given on a daughter's marriage register when I finally found her.
I believe that Eliza Jane McBeath is probably in the Woodtown area, but cannot confirm this as I have no dates to go by.
This research is driven by my desire to find the children of  William and Eliza.
On William's death here in NZ it was recorded that he had 3 surviving children - John (my ggfather), a daughter Annie and another daughter who I believe is also is NZ.
If I can trace Eliza I may find out if there were other children to be located

Graeme

[bantry]

Authors Note

The daughter, Annie, Ithat  have located was the eldest daughter (from the death register entry for William), and she would have been born 1857/8

Graeme

[aghadowey]

Thought that if William and Eliza Jane were Protestant and got married after 1845 their should be a record of their marriage as 1845 was the start of civil registration of non-Catholic marriages.

William Greir, son of John Greir, m.1 Aug.1850 Conwall, Co. Donegal to Eliza Jane McBey, daughter of Andrew McBey.

McBey, McVey, McBeth, McBeath, etc. are all various of the same name.

P.S. sorry about earlier confusion re: Conwall/Cornwall.

It would be worth checking Will Extracts in PRONI site (www.proni.gov.uk)- if it doesn't work just keep trying as the site is often down. Co. Donegal comes under Londonderry Registry.

[bantry]

Aghadowey

Many thanks. I have previously noted the Greer / Mc Bey marriage but did not consider the variants. You have also provided more extensive details.
If married in 1850, and my eldest surviving child Annie (as at 1900 ) being born about 1857/8 then there is a distinct chance that there were other siblings.
At that time would females (Eliza Jane) have had a will?

Graeme

[aghadowey]

Regarding Wills it's always worth checking. My grandfather's grandfather didn't leave one in 1880s but his wife did in early 1900s.

There are probably other variants of McBeath. My children had/have an English teacher named McVey and when they studied MacBeth [forever] for GCSE coursework I started calling her Mrs. MacBeth and then Lady MacBeth as the weeks went on. Children terrified I'd call her that on Parents Night.