William Thompson GRAHAM

[gaffy]

Following on from above...

Daughter #3

Going back to that 1886 Anderson-Graham civil marriage registration in which Mary Ellen's father John was recorded as dead, note the following death of a 52 year old John Graham in Henrietta Street in July 1882, described as a married 'Boot & Shoe Maker' - significantly, the informant Robert Russell was recorded as a son in law:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1882/06395/4836525.pdf   

The identity of the informant reads across to the following marriage of a Robert Russell in Great Victoria Street Presbyterian church, Belfast, in August 1880, his bride Eleanor Graham's father was recorded as 'John Graham Boot maker':
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1880/11039/8037622.pdf

Robert and Eleanor had several children before Eleanor sadly died in 1888:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1888/06162/4761203.pdf

In review, full age at marriage, reported age of 30 at death, I'm guessing Eleanor Graham was born in the latter 1850s if not earlier.

[gaffy]

Following on from above...

Daughter #4

The informant of Eleanor (Graham) Russell's death in 1888 was recorded as 'Margaret J Little   Sister', which reads across to the following 1875 marriage of a Mark Little in Christ Church (Church of Ireland), Belfast, his bride Margaret Jane Graham's father was recorded as 'John Graham Shoemaker', one of the witnesses was... Eleanor Graham:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1875/11209/8108242.pdf 

Mark and Margaret Jane went on to have several children, here they are in 1901 and 1911:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Victoria/Bridge_End_Street/1217131/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Pottinger__part_of_/Major_Street/222227/

Again in review, 21 at marriage, 45 in 1901 and 55 in 1911, indicating that Margaret Jane Graham was born mid 1850s if not earlier.

So to recap, 4 more potential children to John Graham and Mary Ellen Thompson, all daughters:

- Mary Ellen (m. William John Anderson);
- Martha (m. Robert Graham Robinson);
- Eleanor (m. Robert Russell);
- Margaret Jane (m. Mark Little).

[Pennines]

Oh Gaffy -- you have worked SO hard to find all this information. Well done indeed.

I think what you have found is highly likely to be more of John and Mary Ellen's children. I did notice that after the marriage in a Presbyterian chapel - at least some - if not all - those later children were being baptised as Church of Ireland. So your point about the late baptism of Mary Helena into an RC congregation may mean that she was 'walking out' with an RC boyfriend - and she was preparing herself for a future marriage to an RC groom.

That's speculation of course - but I am truly amazed by your findings.

[gaffy]

... So your point about the late baptism of Mary Helena into an RC congregation may mean that she was 'walking out' with an RC boyfriend - and she was preparing herself for a future marriage to an RC groom.

I agree with you, it's very reasonable speculation.

[Rod Blackshaw]

Conversion was certainly a pre-requisite for my father-in-law in the 1950s so I buy that one.

Repeated and continuing thanks to all and Gaffy in particular. It is not just what has been found, but I have learned quite a bit about how to search Irish records and piece stories together.