William McDowell c. 1826-1887 shoemaker in Belfast

[aghadowey]

Most people weren't sure of their ages or date of birth so it's not uncommon to see applicants rejected for being too young for pension at that time. When viewing the original forms and it lists children in a family if the applicant has older siblings they are usually listed but if applicant is eldest child younger ones usually not listed.

Not all the pension applications are online. Some are here-
http://censussearchforms.nationalarchives.ie/search/cs/index.jsp

Here's a family I researched- notice it gives parents married 1823 and lists 7 older siblings of the applicant-
http://censussearchforms.nationalarchives.ie/reels/c19/007246693/007246693_01245.pdf