Mawhinney relationships

[J.A.M.]

Hello all,

Researching genealogy for over 20 years I thought I had the process down pat. Obviously not.

At Islandmagee, Antrim I have Agnes Mawhinney, born 31 October 1907 - died 18 September 1914, daughter of William Mawhinney, s/o William, & Sarah Orr, d/o William Orr & Mary Flack. The registry of death indicates that Maggie Forbes, Aunt, was present at death.

I have checked available online resources for a birth or marriage connection to Mawhinney, Orr & Flack without finding any reference to Forbes.

My question is; 100 years ago did the term 'Aunt' include great-aunt & beyond; or is 'Aunt' used for a close family friend? Does anyone have a suggestion on how to find Maggie Forbes?

Thank you for any assistance.

J.A.M.

[Elwyn Soutter]

This is presumably Maggie Forbes in the 1911 census (her townland is given as Ballymuldrough on the death certificate):

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Island_Magee/Ballymuldrogh/188233/

Maggie’s maiden name was Hawthorne. Marriage to Arthur here in 1901:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1901/10325/5758776.pdf

Here’s her birth (mother’s maiden name Orr so that probably gives you the connection):

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1881/02820/2034551.pdf

[J.A.M.]

Elwyn,

Thank you for that information.

J.A.M.

[J.A.M.]

So, Maggie would actually have been a first cousin but considering she was 20 years older than Agnes was called 'Aunt'.

[Elwyn Soutter]

So, Maggie would actually have been a first cousin but considering she was 20 years older than Agnes was called 'Aunt'.

Yes the terms were used fairly loosely in many families.