Brown problem

[Gortinanima]

I am having trouble locating a James Brown in Belfast (the surname is just so common).

On 22 Dec 1902 (St Patrick's RC) James Browne aged 28 of Unity Street, Belfast, labourer (son of John Browne labourer) married Mary Eliza Connor aged 21 of 29 Sussex Street, Belfast mill worker (dau of John Connor, a fireman) witnesses - John McAreavy & Ann Moore

I cannot locate said James Brown in the 1901 or 1911 census returns nor can I find any issue from this marriage.

James Brown died 26 Nov 1924 (aged 51) in Whiteabbey Sanitorium (for the treatment of TB) and his address was given as 30 Hardinge Street, Belfast and his widow Mary Brown was in attendance. He was buried in Milltown cemetery.

Any help would be great, thanks.

[eileenwilson]

It is entirely possible that any children were born in Scotland so you might want to check there.

[Gortinanima]

It is entirely possible that any children were born in Scotland so you might want to check there.

Thanks for that - I checked on Scotland's People there was a James Brown and mother Annie Connor in the same period but they were married in Scotland 1899.

[aghadowey]

1918 and 1924 Belfast directories both give the household as a Robert Boyle, helper, at 30 Hardinge St.
https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/hcomplete1918.htm
https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/hcomplete1924.htm
A 1920 newspaper article mentions a Patrick Morgan at that address so perhaps it was a lodging or rooming house?

[eileenwilson]

There are only four James Brown(e)s in the 1901 census of the right age who are Roman Catholic. The only one who cannot read or write (your James made his mark on the marriage record) is a James Browne, aged 27, born Co. Down, living on Sidney Street, general labourer, living with his parents William and Mary, but also has a wife Bella, aged 28.

The other option is a James Browne, aged 25, born in Barrow in Furness, general labourer, living on Bow Street, but he also has a wife, Mary, with two small children.

The other two James Browns of the right age are a boot finisher and a provision grocer.  So either your James is older than you think or he wasn't living in Co. Antrim in 1901.

In Co. Down, but still in Belfast, there is a James Browne, aged 27, a quay labourer, can read and write, living on Dalton Street, but he is also married with a young child. Born in Belfast.

One other option is a James Brown, aged 30, born Co. Donegal, living with his mother Sarah, aged 60 in Pennyburn, Londonderry, an engine cleaner, cannot read.  Indicates he is not married. 

All of the other candidates seem to be from southern counties which should not be discounted, but are less likely to be your guy.

[Gortinanima]

There are only four James Brown(e)s in the 1901 census of the right age who are Roman Catholic. The only one who cannot read or write (your James made his mark on the marriage record) is a James Browne, aged 27, born Co. Down, living on Sidney Street, general labourer, living with his parents William and Mary, but also has a wife Bella, aged 28.

The other option is a James Browne, aged 25, born in Barrow in Furness, general labourer, living on Bow Street, but he also has a wife, Mary, with two small children.

The other two James Browns of the right age are a boot finisher and a provision grocer.  So either your James is older than you think or he wasn't living in Co. Antrim in 1901.

In Co. Down, but still in Belfast, there is a James Browne, aged 27, a quay labourer, can read and write, living on Dalton Street, but he is also married with a young child. Born in Belfast.

One other option is a James Brown, aged 30, born Co. Donegal, living with his mother Sarah, aged 60 in Pennyburn, Londonderry, an engine cleaner, cannot read.  Indicates he is not married. 

All of the other candidates seem to be from southern counties which should not be discounted, but are less likely to be your guy.

Thanks for having a look - it is one of those mysteries that will be hard to crack

[aghadowey]

On 22 Dec 1902 (St Patrick's RC) James Browne aged 28 of Unity Street, Belfast, labourer (son of John Browne labourer) married Mary Eliza Connor aged 21 of 29 Sussex Street, Belfast mill worker (dau of John Connor, a fireman) witnesses - John McAreavy & Ann Moore

Have you considered the possibility that James Browne wasn't originally Catholic and perhaps converted in order to marry Mary Eliza?

[eileenwilson]

By 1911, he should show up as a Catholic?  Perhaps looking at the original church entry may provide more info. 

[Gortinanima]

On 22 Dec 1902 (St Patrick's RC) James Browne aged 28 of Unity Street, Belfast, labourer (son of John Browne labourer) married Mary Eliza Connor aged 21 of 29 Sussex Street, Belfast mill worker (dau of John Connor, a fireman) witnesses - John McAreavy & Ann Moore

Have you considered the possibility that James Browne wasn't originally Catholic and perhaps converted in order to marry Mary Eliza?

His family was Catholic

He is buried in a plot in Milltown owned by a John Brown (and his wife Mary Martin).

They can be found in the 1901 census in Little Donegal Street, Belfast - it is possible John Brown and Mary Martin are his parents but again I cannot locate birth/baptism.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000277729/


1901 census
No 22. Little Donegal Street (St. Anne's, Antrim)
All born Belfast
John Brown head RC aged 43 labourer quay
Mary Brown wife 46
Mary Ellen Brown 25
Catherine Brown 20
Hanna Brown 15
John Brown 12
Charles Brown 10
Charles Martin 44 boarder (widowed)
Note - it seems likely that Charles Martin was brother of Mary Martin Brown

I have detailed tree of this family - but when I got the details from the plot there was this James Brown who remains a mystery.




http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000277729/