Robert Boyce of Ringsend, Coleraine & Philadelphia

[amcg]

Hello! 

I am trying to locate information on Robert Boyce of the Ringsend Area of Coleraine in Northern Ireland. I know he arrived in the USA during the 1880s (the year varies according to which census you read). He married Catherine Mullen circa 1890/91. They had 3 children - Anna, Catherine and Helen before 1900. From the Census I know they lived in ward 17 of Philadelphia City for most of the time between 1900 and 1930.

From Ancestry.co.uk I know Catherine died on 1st April 1932. Her husband, Robert, died on 6th March 1934. Both are buried at Holy Cross Cem.  I have checked with find-a-grave and there is no photo of this grave, and would like to know if there are any other ways of accessing a photo - or if indeed a headstone exists.

Any information on Robert, Catherine and their family would be gratefully received.

Regards

AMCG

[Erato]

You could try contacting the cemetery here:

http://www.archphila-cemeteries.org/cemeteries/holycross.htm

[amcg]

Erato

Thank you Very Much.

I will try this immediately.

Once again - many thanks

AMCG

[Erato]

You might find some help at Philadelphia Genweb:  http://www.phillygenweb.org/


Or at 'Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness':  http://raogk.wikia.com/wiki/Find-A-Volunteer

[amcg]

Erato

Thank you again - I have emailed the cemetery already and hopefully they will get back to me. If not, I will try your other suggestions.

Regards,

AMCG

[aghadowey]

If the informant on Robert Boyce's death certificate was correct then he was born 10 Apr.1864 to John Boyce & Mary Friel.

Marriage for John Boyce & Mary Friel (1856)*- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGC2-7M3
Children-
William (1870) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5NH-MB5
Thomas (1873 Garvagh district) https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5FP-CPL

* St. Guiare's Parish Church (Church of Ireland) Aghadowey, 1 May 1856 John Boyce, full age, bachelor, labourer, Maevemanougher, son of Robert Boyce (farmer), to Mary Ann Thiel, full age, spinster, Meavemanougher, daughter of Edward Thiel (no occupation listed).

Maevemanougher may have only been where the bride and groom were living in 1856 but this marriage might be for the same Boyces as John-
Coleraine Registry Office, 8 Jan.1851, Mathew Boyce, weaver, Meavemanougher, son of Robert Boyce (farmer), to Eliza Young, Meavemanougher, daughter of Alexander Young (farmer).

[amcg]

Thank You Aghadowey.  This information regarding John and Matthew is a connection I had not noticed. You are correct, it does seem plausible.

Can I ask if you have access to St Guaire's Baptisms?

The two children you pointed out (William & Thomas) are born in Mayboy (Ref: Rootireland.ie). While researching St Mary's Church Records, I also discovered the baptism of a Robert Boyce (son of John Boyce & Mary Friel) but the baptism was in May 1860 - not 1864 as the Informant on the Death Certificate suggests.

He is most definitely a brother as William can be found living with Robert & his wife Catherine on the USA Census between 1900 and 1930. Notably William is also 4 years younger on his Death Certificate than our information suggests, although I have yet to locate his baptism. (I am told that some people used their baptism date as their birth-date).  Although I doubt this is the case with Robert - unless the child baptised Robert in 1860, passed away and the next male child given his name.

Many Thanks for your help.

[aghadowey]

I've only the baptisms from St. Guaire's that I've extracted. I had a look in the Valuation Revision Books (www.proni.gov.uk) but couldn't see any Boyces there in the 1860s but you might want to take a closer look to see if you can find the family there.

[amcg]

Thank you. I will look into it