Hi Everyone! Looking for any possible assistance trying to figure out the relationship between my great grandfather, Thomas WILSON, born June 24, 1861 in Ballynary, Tartaraghan, Armagh, Ireland and another gentleman (James, more below) who may be either his son or nephew. Thomas’ parents were George Wilson (1829-Jan 10, 1889) and Francis Greenaway (Dec 17, 1827- Nov 2, 1884). I can only find the following siblings for Thomas: Anne, Jane, Mary, Elizabeth and James. Thomas moved to Manchester, CT to work at the Cheney Silk Mills in the late 1880s. He married Isabella Gilpin on October 6, 1891 in Astoria, Queens, NY. They had 3 daughters: Ethel (my grandmother), Amanda and Maude. However, at some point in the 1890s, a James Wilson (born June 28, 1884 in Portadown) comes to live with Thomas and Isabella. James also worked at the silk mills, he notes on his employment card that his father is Thomas and his sister is Ethel. Thomas’ employment card lists James as a relative but doesn’t define to what degree. When Thomas died in 1952, his obituary lists James as his son. Isabella’s obit in 1915 doesn’t even mention James. James’ grandson told me that he said that he was orphaned in Ireland and came to live with Thomas but he never discussed the nature of the relationship. I had hoped that finding Thomas’ parents and siblings in Armagh would have cleared this up but it’s another roadblock. I can only find one brother for Thomas, James, born Jan 17, 1854 but I have no further information on him, whether he married, had children, died and left a child orphaned. And I cannot find a birth through the civil registry for James that gives me anything definitive. There is a James born June 25th 1884 to an Arthur Wilson and Elizabeth Reid, but I can’t tie them to Thomas. If anyone has any information, I’d love to finally figure out the relationship. Was Thomas James’ father or uncle perhaps? Thanks so much. Laura.
