Forbes Family

[aghadowey]

1911 census says 9 children but only 6 living so there's one whose birth I haven't found and Wesley and Florence died young.

Wesley died 1908-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1908/05507/4543206.pdf
Florence died 1910-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1910/05431/4518538.pdf

[CaroleW]

So at the time of the 1897 marriage - Margaret’s father David was about 44 and his son in law Alexander was about 52

There must be some connection between the families given that Margaret’s parents were both born in Ireland and the surname on both sides is Forbes

[Chalm]

Thank you so much for everyone’s help. We don’t have a marriage certificate for Alexander born  1843 which means we don’t have his fathers occupation. Is there a way I can get a copy of the marriage certificate? Sorry I’m not very experienced in this trying to help my dad make the breakthrough he is looking for to the previous generation.

[Chalm]

I did wonder too about the families being connected and the age of my great grandfather when he married. I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few days trying to sort through info. Husband complaining as housework being neglected😂😂

[Chalm]

Aghadowey thank you so much for all the links to births and the marriage. I’ve just been looking up all the documents. Can’t wait to print them out and visit my dad this afternoon to show him. He knew he was named after his great uncle John but now we can see his great granda was called John too.

[aghadowey]

John Forbes died 1910- brother Alexander was informant-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1910/05422/4515517.pdf

Death notice gives us first clue to where Forbes family lived in County Londonderry 
Belfast Telegraph, 20 Aug.1910: FORBES— August 20, at the residence of his brother, Walmer Street. Ballynafeigh, John Forbes, aged 70, late of Gracefield, Magherafelt.

[aghadowey]

John Forbes, Ballymaguigan, age 90, died 1891- informant son Alexander-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1891/06084/4735808.pdf

The Will of John Forbes late of Ballymaguigan County Londonderry Farmer who died 8 February 1891 at same place was proved at Londonderry by John Rodgers of Ballyrounan [Ballyronan] said County Farmer one of the Executors. Effects £127. Not probated until 2 Nov.1894. Will dated 7 Aug.1890 mentions wife Eliza, "my two sons John & Alexander," £1 to son George.
https://apps.proni.gov.uk/WillsCalendar_IE/WillsSearch.aspx

Eliza Forbes died 1893 (which probably explains why John's estate wasn't probated until 1894)- son Alexander again was the informant-https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1893/06005/4709019.pdf

In 1831 Census there's a John Forbes in Ballymaguigan townland- 2 males & 2 females in household- religion is under column 'other Protestant Dissenters' (not Church of Ireland or Presbyterian)-
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1831/Londonderry/Loughinshollin/Artrea/Ballymeguigan/101/

[aghadowey]

According to this online tree- needs to be checked for accuracy but information from church records-
https://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jerrydoyle&id=I21590

John Forbes married Eliza Miller
Son John born 21 Aug.1839 Gracefield and baptised at Moravian Church there 22 Sept.1839
Son Alexander born 12 May 1842 Gracefield and baptised at Moravian Church there 12 May 1842
More details in tree

[aghadowey]

History of Gracefield-
http://www.woodschapel.armagh.anglican.org/en/History-Of-Woodschapel-St-John-s-/History-of-Gracefield
Map showing location of church-
http://www.woodschapel.armagh.anglican.org/en/Gracefield

Recent photo- LINK

The burying ground would have been known as God's Acre, men buried on one side and woman on other side. Due to the belief that everyone is equal the old headstone lie flat on the ground. Unusually for Northern Ireland there would have been only one burial per grave.