Matthew smith born around 1889 clontonakelly

[bisjam]

Hi am looking a bit a help for a friend who has hit a dead end with this relative. Matthew Smith working as a farm servant in 1911

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Drumbo/Clontonakelly/248151/
 And here he is either in a childrens boarding school or orphanage in 1901

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Ballygowan/Ballygowan/1257326/

I have tried groni for birth records . I can't find Amy more about him. All help welcome thanks

[aghadowey]

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Drumbo/Clontonakelly/248151/
 And here he is either in a childrens boarding school or orphanage in 1901

It's Olivet Home Orphanage- household number 14:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000769305/

"The Olivet Home. Dominating the village since 1886 this imposing and austere building is the main village feature. Originally erected as an orphanage by Alexander Orr Reid as a memorial to his only son who was killed in a shooting accident, it was purchased by Ballygowan Presbyterian Church in 1918. It was used as church halls and as the village primary school until 1980's when the new Alexander Dickson School was built. Since then it is used exclusively as church halls."
http://ballygowan.org.uk/old/history.htm

[glensman]

The apparent absence of Matthew Smith from GRONI records might possibly be explained by a "Forename not captured" entry of which there are a few for Smiths/Smyths around that time. 

[gaffy]

Using a combination of the GRONI online search index and the Ulster Historical Foundation (UHF) website search index, there is a Matthew Smyth (as per GRONI, "Smith" on the UHF site) born on 25 September 1891 to parents George Smith and Sarah Mulligan, the birth registered at Newry. Worth simply noting 'til you can rule him out.

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
    Expanding slightly on Gaffy's info. George Smith married Sarah Mulligan on 1 Aug 1877 in Rathfriland Second Presbyterian Church, Newry.

Regards

[bisjam]

Could be a long trawl this one. Will have to assume the young man has been orphaned and maybe try to cross match smith deaths and births. Couldnt have a worse surname to do it with.
Does anyone know if there are any record held for the Olivet house. I did a cursory search online at PRONI but nothing came up

[aghadowey]

There's also a John Smith, age 8, born Co.Down in the Home with Matthew in 1901- no way to tell from census if they are related.

Births father- Smith, mother- Mulligan in GRONI index (all Newry district)
Sarah (1 Feb.1878)
Isabella (27 Aug.1879)
Matthew (26 Feb.1881)
Eliza (22 Dec.1882)
Martha (3 Dec.1886)
Deborah (26 Dec.1889)
Matthew (25 Sept.1891)
William (20 Mar.1894)
Margaret (21 Aug.1896)
Agnes (12 Oct.1898)

Here's the family in 1901 so looks like Matthew Smith born 1891 can be crossed out 
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Rathfriland/Cavan_Lower/1249687

[brian.g]

Bisjam,

I also have an ancestor (my Grandfather) who was a resident of Olivet Home, George Gilbert.

I have some additional records from the home that show Matthew's Birth as 09/89.

Have you discovered any further information since the original Post?

I have been trying to find a source for Olivet records but no success at the moment.  I would like to get the records for Georges original admission as I suspect the birth county listed in the Census may be inaccurate.

[bisjam]

Hi there . I've nothing as yet. I was helping a family friend with this one and we had pretty much given up. Could you let me know please where the birth record for Matthew has come form . That would be a big help thanks