TWISTED LIMBS & CROOKED BRANCHES

Theresa Scott

Posted on April 7, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

A Sad Life…

Theresa is my 2^nd great aunt; she is one of eleven children born to Richard Scott and Ann Jane Tinsley. The Scott families were well respected farmers in Stoneyford, Co. Antrim, where I’ve traced them back to the late 1700’s. If you have researched Ireland then you are aware that it becomes very difficult to trace lineage prior to that; other than “hanging out in cemeteries” and delving into Church records; it is almost impossible.

Although I have many conflicting records for Theresa’s birth it would seem she was born early in the year 1838. Records from the Derriaghy Church of Ireland show that she was baptized March 25, 1838.

Derriaghy Church of Ireland

On 15 Feb 1859 Theresa was married to John Simpson by S. Anderson, Curate of St. Aiden’s Parish Church. Their wedding was witnessed by Richard Scott, her brother and my 2^nd great grandfather; and Alexander Thompson, who I believe was one of her cousins. More research is required to confirm this supposition.

Theresa Scott & John Simpson
Marriage Record

Theresa and John had one son, John Edward; who was baptized at St. Anne’s Cathedral in the Shankill, Belfast, on 23 Nov 1859. Family lore would suggest that Theresa and John never “took up house together”; which might intimate a “shot gun wedding”! Very shortly after John Edward’s birth his father went to America – never to return, leaving Theresa to raise her son alone.

Seemingly, Theresa moved on with her life and remarried on 24 Mar 1869. She married William Waddell, son of Robert; in St. Anne’s Church of Ireland by Rev. R. Kerr. Philip and Mary Magee, her sister and brother in law; witnessed their wedding.

It would seem that lengthy marriages for Theresa where not to be; William passed away on 1 Oct 1881. Once again, Theresa was alone. Her son, John Edward had emigrated to Chicago, Illinois, USA in 1880 with two of his cousins, Richard Dawson and Richard MaGee. They had lived on neighbouring farms “back home”.

On 8 Dec 1891 Theresa wrote the following to her son:

“Dear son; Just a few lines in answer to your kind letter which I received to day glad to find by it that you are coming home but will be a long while yet before I see you. I would like you more home now but we will have to trust to God for he knows what is best. I have been very bad this last week it is only the longer the worse but I will have to live to my times comes. The doctors wife was down seeing me the other night I asked her if the doctor could give me anything to leave the pain, she told me just to do anything I thought of myself for the doctors could do nothing for me. I thought this letter very long of coming, I thought every car that stopped on the street was you coming, but I hope you will come home at once. There is great sickness in this town the(y) can’t get the coffins made in time their is extra men at them every night. I think I have little more to say at present hoping to see you soon. Mary is still with me yet. I remains as every your aff. Mother. Theresa Waddell, 26 Hopeton Street, Belfast. I don’t know what I would have done only for Mary.”

Theresa’s Letter to her son John Edward

The disease that Theresa spoke of was the “fever” in this case small pox, infesting Belfast in the 1870’s & 1880’s and returning in February of 1891.

On 21 Feb 1892 Theresa passed away in her home in the presence of her son, John Edward. Her death record shows cause of death as “Cancer of the Uterus; 8 months certified”. The record also shows that she was the widow of William Waddell, Printer and she was 44 at the time of her death.

Death Record – Theresa Waddell (nee Scott)

She is interred in the Belfast City Cemetery with her husband, William; her sister Ann Reid (nee Scott); and an infant by the name of William John McKnight, another family member.

Record details Name of deceased Mrs Theresa Waddell Last place of residence 26 Hopeton Street Age 42 Yrs Date of death 21 February 1892 Date of burial 23 February 1892 City Cemetery Grave section and number O 436 Burial Type Earth Burial

Each time I read Theresa’s letter to John Edward I am overcome with sadness and a hope that she is now at peace.

Posted in Belfast, Burial Records, Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged Belfast, Belfast City Cemetery, Co. Antrim, Derriaghy Church of Ireland, Family History, Geneaology, Glenavy, Scott Family, Simpson; Waddell, St. Aiden’s Parish Church, St. Anne's Cathedral - Shankill, Stoneyford | 6 Comments

Remembered With Honour

Posted on April 6, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

MORRISON, Flying Offr. (Pilot) Samuel Cecil – 115396. R.A.F. (V.R.).104 Sqdn. Prot. Sec. (Men’s). Plot F. Coll.

MORRISON, Flying Offr. (Pilot) Samuel Cecil –
115396. R.A.F. (V.R.).104 Sqdn. Prot. Sec. (Men’s). Plot F. Coll.

Samuel Cecil Morrison (Cecil) was the son of Samuel Morrison and Charlotte Rebecca Wilson (Cissy) and the eldest of six children. He was born on 22 Jun 1920 in the Creggan Road in Londonderry, Co. Londonderry, Ireland and baptized in the Great James Street Presbyterian Church.

Cecil with his parents and sister Beryl

The Morrison family where very involved with their Church; including Cecil’s father, Samuel, who was a Scout Leader at the Church.

Great James Street Scouts: Scout leader at the top left – Samuel Morrison; who married my great aunt Charlotte Rebecca Wilson. First row right – his wife Charlotte Rebecca Wilson; to her left their daughter Charlotte (Beryl) Morrison and just behind Beryl is her brother Cecil.

During the Second World War, Cecil joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1940 or 1941; I’m unsure of the dates as I have yet to discover much about his very short life. About 1940 Cecil arrived in California, USA to start training for the Royal Air Force.

Arriving in California
Cecil is in the front row, first on the left

On May 27, 1942 in Runcorn, Cheshire, England he married Margaret Elizabeth Barclay. Known as Betty, it would seem that she too was in the military.

Cecil & Betty
Photographed on their Wedding Day

Less than six months after their wedding, on 7 November 1942; Cecil was killed in action in Malta. This is an excerpt from the Morrison/Wilson Family Bible penned by his mother, Cissy.

Excerpt from Morrison-Wilson Family Bible “F/O. S.C. Morrison died on Active Service 1942. Laid to rest in Malta 11th 1942. God makes no mistakes he knew the way others would have to tread; and took him in his manhood to be with him forever. Safe from this worlds mire.”

He is interred at the Capuccini Naval Cemetery in Malta; and Remembered with Honour; Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Flying Officer Pilot, 115396, 104 Sqdn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Remembered with Honour, Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery.

Posted in Family History | 2 Comments

A Strange Coincidence, or Was It?

Posted on March 28, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

I’ve been working on my family tree “Twisted Limbs & Crooked Branches” for about 3 years now. Like many, I started collecting information and photos several years prior. I had spent time in the Knock Road Cemetery in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim in 1997; taking photos of headstones and being amazed at the number of my ancestors who are interred there. The reality is, if there is a Murdoch who is buried in the Knock Road Cemetery that I don’t know; it just means I haven’t found the connection yet!

Knock Road Cemetery
Murdoch/Murdock Graves

In July of 2012, shortly before my visit “back home;” I decided to rename my tree on Ancestry. It had the generic name of the Murdoch/ Wilson/ Berry/ Love Family Tree. Original, I know! As I follow all of my family lines, not just my direct ancestors; I’ve discovered first cousins who married first cousins and their children married their first cousins. This seemed to be a common practice in the very early 1800’s. I’ve often joked that the gene pool had gotten rather shallow; and maybe I should be grateful that no “webbed feet” had turned up yet! So, I thought “Twisted Limbs & Crooked Branches” was a fitting name.

Fast forward two weeks later; we were heading to Londonderry to visit with “living family” and of course, to visit the Derry City Cemetery.

Londonderry
The Walled City

The Derry City Cemetery is old, however not as old as some you will find in Ireland; where graves date back to the 1400’s. The first reported burial in the cemetery was of a 10 month old child by the name of Robert McClelland. Robert resided on Orchard Street and died on December 10, 1853. A Visitor’s Guide of the Cemetery, including a brief history; can be downloaded here: http://tinyurl.com/mpwh8mu .

The Derry City Cemetery
159 Lone Moor Road, Londonderry

With map in hand; my “baby aunt” and I were on our way to the cemetery to photograph family headstones. Upon our arrival I was immediately in awe of the number, size and diversity of headstones. I was also really “drawn” to the trees scattered throughout the cemetery, to one tree in particular; my “baby aunt” thought I was just a little crazy! To her, they just looked “dead”!

The Derry City Cemetery
159 Lone Moor Road, Londonderry

After a few hours and great success one grave remained elusive; Grave No. FC25. We continually returned to the same area, where the grave obviously should have been; but there was no headstone or marker at the site. We checked with the Cemetery staff who indicated we were in the right location. We left and returned with our husbands; handed them the map with a “please go find this particular grave”. They ended up exactly where we had…

The tree with “Twisted Limbs & Crooked Branches”!
Grave No. FC25

There is no headstone on the grave, it must have eroded or was vandalized. However, the grave does have a VERY significant marker… the plot is to the left of the tree that I had been drawn to when initially entering the cemetery. The tree with “Twisted Limbs & Crooked Branches”!

A strange coincidence; or was it?

Posted in Co. Antrim, Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged Ballymoney, Chambers Family, Family History, Genealogy; Ireland; Records, Knock Road Cemetery, Londonderry, Love Family, Murdoch Family, Wilson Family | 10 Comments

The Scotts of Ballymacward, Co. Antrim!

Posted on March 24, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

Larceny of Ducks…

Beauchamp Scott, lovingly referred to as “Oul Beatty”, was a son, brother, husband and father – he was also my great grand uncle. Although many historical records indicate he was born on 26 Dec 1878 the Scott Family Bible reveals Beauchamp’s true birth date was 12 Dec 1878.

He was one of ten siblings born to Richard James Scott and Mary Agnes Hendren, my 2^nd great grandparents, one of eleven when including the “foster band child” who was raised with him and his siblings! “Oul Beatty” was baptized in the Stoneyford Parish Church on 26 Jan 1879.

The 1901 Census of Ireland revealed that this particular line of my Scott family was living at 34 Ballymacward Lower, Island Kelly, Co. Antrim. They were all farmers and as history and family stories suggest they were the “wealthy Scott’s” – one of many of my Scott and connected families living in the area.

On 10 Dec 1909 at the Lisburn Civil Registrars Office “Oul Beatty” and Martha McKnight, daughter of David, were United in Marriage in the presence of John and Elizabeth McKnight – the bride’s siblings.

The 1911 Census divulged that Beauchamp was working on his father’s farm at 3 Ballymacward Lower. While his wife and young daughter Fanny were at home, “just up the road” at 12 Ballymacward, where the family lived with Martha’s parents.

Little more was to be discovered about “Oul Beatty” and his family between the 1911 Census being taken and the birth of their second daughter Lily – although I did determine that Beauchamp had found the time to go to the Stoneyford Orange Hall to sign the Ulster Covenant on 28 Sep 1912.

My next discovery was an article from the Lisburn Standard dated 23 Mar 1917 entitled “Larceny of Ducks”! The article stated:

“Mary Jane McKnight, Ballymacward Lower, summoned a neighbour woman named Sarah Henry for, as alleged, stealing six ducks from her property. From the complainant’s deposition taken at a special court, it appeared that she missed the ducks and suspected that defendant had taken them. She met defendant leaving home with a cart, and challenged her. Defendant said she never saw the ducks, and refused to let her look into the cart. When her daughter, Mrs. Scott, went to look in the cart defendant struck her with a stick. Her son-in-law Beauchamp Scott, came and took up a bag from the cart, and shook two ducks out. He got two more ducks in another bag. Her son-in-law took charge of the horse and cart until witness went for the police. When the police arrived they got the other two ducks in the cart. She had no doubt whatever that the ducks were her property. They were value for about 24s. The Chairman – Was there anybody else with this woman and her cart on the road? Witness – No Mr. Maginess, who appeared for Mrs. McKnight, said that was not the first time she had had trouble with defendant, and she felt compelled to bring her to Court. Defendant, on being asked had she any questions to ask, said – Her ducks are running wild, and I am tired feeding them. (laughter) Mr. Maginess – I think she has gone far enough. The Chairman (addressing defendant) – The value of these ducks is over five shillings, and you will be charged before a judge and jury at Quarter Sessions unless you plead guilty. If you plead guilty the magistrates have the jurisdiction to deal with you. Defendant – I plead guilty to taking them, but I did not know who owned them. The Chairman (to complainant) – Are these ducks in the habit of wandering? Mrs. McKnight – They never left the house before, or I should not have got alarmed so early. After some consultation with the District-Inspector and his brother magistrates the Chairman (addressing defendant) said – you are convicted of this charge. It is a very mean sort of offence you committed, and you are liable to six months imprisonment. The magistrates are going to sentence you to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour.”

Although I have photographed and documented many of the Burial Grounds in Stoneyford and surrounding area I have not yet come across the burial place for “Oul Beatty” and his family. It is highly possible, and most likely probable, that they are buried in the Friends Burial Ground Maghaberry where his parents and several of his siblings are interred.

Another trip to the Quaker Archives on my next trip “back home” is required to follow up on this particular Twisted Limb of my family tree!

Safe in the hallowed quiets of the past! Lowell

Posted in Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Island Kelly, Scott Family, Stoneyford | 2 Comments

“Reasonably exhaustive” research as a process of elimination

Posted on March 24, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

This is a must read for any genealogists … check, check and check again!

Planting the Seeds

One of the most difficult concepts to grasp, when we strive to meet the Genealogical Proof Standard, is the “reasonably exhaustive search.” This requirement demands that we conduct thorough research, scouring every possible source of relevant information touching upon our research question.

The following steps present one way to think about this requirement, as a process of reduction, beginning with a large pool of possible sources and systematically eliminating those that cannot hold relevant information.

(1) Imagine every possible source for information (meaning every written record or artifact that holds information from any location or time period throughout history). This initial pool contains billions (or more) possible records.

(2) Eliminate records that could not possibly hold information about the subject–for example, a record from ancient Egypt or medieval France could not possibly hold information relevant to the life of an African American born in the late nineteenth century in Charleston…

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Faces Without A Name

Posted on March 23, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

A multitude of photos with no names attached!

I have an abundance of old family photos, which I assembled while on my last trip to Ireland in the summer of 2012. With over 3,000 images: family photos, documents and the necessary grave stone photos from a variety of family cemeteries; I certainly had/have my work cut out for me! It was a very successful genealogical trip; one on which I visited with my “living family” as well. I am very grateful to my extended family; as I would never have had the information I do, if they weren’t scouring their attics for boxes of photos and memorabilia.

Attic Finds…
Family Documents

Once I returned home, and the reality of real life and returning to work set in; I managed to squeeze in as much time as possible to sort through the “piles”. Diligently and with great excitement I’ve been working through the images and adding them to my family tree as I discover who they are. Being able to put a “face to a name” of an ancestor whose life I had been piecing together and seeing a story of… well, it was beyond exciting; it brought them to life for me; if only for a moment.

John Love – My 2nd Great Grandfather (originally an unknown photo)
Matthew Love (inset) – My 2nd Great Uncle (whose picture John’s was matched with)

Many “Faces Without A Name” remain. My sentiments for my nameless ancestors change on a daily basis; the emotions often changing from one hour to the next. It’s a wide range of feelings; sadness in not knowing who they are and therefore the life they lived; frustration that no one thought to write a name on the back; and excitement! Most certainly, excitement; which energizes me, knowing that someday, somehow… I WILL put a name to the faces!

They still remain: “Faces Without A Name”

Posted in Belfast, Co. Antrim, Co. Down, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged Chambers Family, Co. Antrim, Co. Down, Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland, Love Family, Scott Family, Wilson Family | 2 Comments

The Beattie/Rankin Connection

Posted on March 21, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

A Follow up to – “It’s A Small World”!

Less than two weeks ago I posted a blog entitled “It’s A Small World” discussing my Beattie/Rankin connection. Since then I’ve been able to meet with Mr. Rankin’s son, who is my 3^rd cousin 1x removed. He has entrusted me with an old family photo album. Another of those little “gifts from the universe” that I seem to come across regularly since researching my family tree!

Beattie/Rankin Coat of Arms… the little plaque that “started it all”!

As I had mentioned previously, on a trip “back home”; my mother visited Charlotte Rankin who indicated she was named after her aunt Charlotte Elizabeth Beattie (my great grandmother). Charlotte Elizabeth Beattie is in fact, a 1^st cousin once removed of Charlotte Rankin; but like many of us (me included) we tend to refer to cousins of the same generation as our parents “aunt” or “uncle”. Now I know what Charlotte Rankin looked like!

Charlotte Rankin and her husband Matt Mulhern

Charlotte & Mr. Rankin seniors’ mother was Jane Beattie; who was the daughter of Samuel Beattie. Samuel and my 2^nd great grandfather were brothers. It would seem the Beattie’s hailed from Donegal, at some point moving to Londonderry. William Rankin’s father was David; they were Londonderry people.

Jane Beattie – My 1st cousin 3x removed and Mr. Rankin’s mother.

William Rankin – Mr. Rankin’s father

Mr. Rankin immigrated to Canada at the age of 19; he was traveling alone onboard the S.S. Letitia as per family history. Unfortunately, I have yet the find the ships manifest of his travels. So, another story to be continued…

Mr. Rankin about the time he came to Canada

Mr. Rankin – circa 1927

Posted in Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged Beattie Family - Maternal Line, Co. Londonderry, common ancestors, Family History, Mulhern Family, Rankin Family | 19 Comments

The Belfast Blitz – A Personal Connection

Posted on March 18, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

I grew up knowing that my father was born in Belfast and grew up in Ballymoney. Ballymoney is a small town in Co. Antrim which is a short distance away from the Causeway Coast and the Glens of Antrim. It’s a place where I had the pleasure of living for a few years and a place, as a young girl; I didn’t want to leave… but that’s a story for another time!

The Dark Hedges
Ballymoney, Co. Antrim

What I hadn’t known, until I was older, was the reason that my father and my grandparents had moved to Ballymoney. My grandmother, who was most certainly a “city girl”; was born and raised in Cherryville Street, Belfast and worked at McGowan & Ingram Ltd, Wholesale Stationers & Printers until she married in 1933.

Granny Murdoch (2nd from left) and her friends from McGowan Ingram.
Photo not to be used without prior consent from the author

My grandfather, on the other hand, was a small town guy; who had grown up in Ballymoney where many generations of my “Murdoch’s” before him had grown up as well. I had made the assumption that the plan was to move back to my grandfathers’ home town; a town which might be more conducive to raising a young son! Well, it would seem I was wrong!

My Grandfather (right)
Photo not to be used without prior consent of the author.

It was Easter 1941, my father and grandparents were in Ballymoney, escaping the city after the first of three air raids had hit Belfast on 7 April 1941. My great grandfather convinced my grandparents to go to Belfast, pick up some things; and return to the safety of small town Ballymoney. He suggested that my father, who was six at the time; remain with them; which he did.

My father and grandparents (left) at Van Dyke Gardens Photo not to be used without prior consent from the author.

My father and grandparents (left) at 23 Vandyck Gardens, Greencastle, BelfastPhoto not to be used without prior consent from the author.

PRONIs “Historical Topics Series: 2” states: “Belfast had been relatively unaffected by WWII initially but, with the fall of France in 1940, Belfast’s situation changed dramatically. The city now lay within range of German bombers flying from western France. Even so, by April 1941 much remained to be done to enable the city to cope with major bombing attacks and when large-scale air raids began on the night of 7-8 April 1941, they found the city practically unprepared. A raid over the dockside not only caused considerable damage to the Harland and Wolff premises but left 13 people dead. A second air raid on the night of 15-16 April caused considerably more damage. 180 German bombers took part in the attack that lasted from just before midnight until 4 a.m. on Easter Tuesday.” More here: http://www.proni.gov.uk/historical_topics_series_-_02_-_the_belfast_blitz.pdf

On Easter Tuesday, 15 April 1941, 180 German bombers again attacked Belfast. One of the homes that was hit was 23 Vandyck Gardens; my grandparents home!

“76 landmines drift down attached to parachutes intending to tear apart the concrete and steel factories. Over half fall in residential areas: Vandyk Gardens and Veryan Gardens are decimated – over 130 homes are destroyed. “Source unknown”

An example of the devastation left after the Blitz

My grandparents survived; physically unscathed. They had sought refuge at Cave Hill, where my grandmother remembered feeling the ground vibrate under her; and pieces of mortar hitting her face. Eventually they were reunited with some of their family; and discovered that my great uncle had spent the night looking for their bodies. They returned to Ballymoney with nothing more than the clothes they wore and a pillow case of personal possessions.

They were two of the lucky ones…

Posted in Belfast, Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged Ballymoney, Beautiful Places in Ireland, Belfast Blitz, Berry Family, Co. Antrim, Family History, Murdoch Family | 4 Comments

St. Columb’s Court Swifts Football Team

Posted on March 16, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

Family photos can be found from the strangest resources.

Several months ago, on the 400^th Anniversary of Derry’s FB page (which unfortunately has been taken down by the owner); a photo appeared of the St. Columb’s Court Swifts Football Team. The photograph was dated 1892-1893. Of course I was interested as many generations of my family have been and still are affiliated with St. Columb’s Cathedral. Many of my family also had lived on St. Columb’s Court, which is a beautiful little street leading to the steps of the Cathedral.

St. Columb’s Court

Although none of the gentlemen in the photo where named, I became very excited… one gentleman (2^nd from the left in the back row) looked VERY familiar. I had seen him before; not only had a seen him before, I believed I had photographs of him in my pile of “unknown” photos that I had brought back from my 2012 trip “back home”!

St, Columb’s Court Swifts football Team 1892-1893.

One of my aunts, let’s call her my “baby aunt” as she is only a few years older than me; had amassed a large number of family photos and documents. Many of those photos and documents had belonged to my maternal grandmother and belonged to her mother before her. For all genealogists out there, you know the feeling… Christmas had arrived early for me that year!

Who Are They?
Photo not to be used without prior consent from the author.

I have been told by a Londonderry Historian that the names are on the back of the photo; and the photo is in the records at St. Columb’s Cathedral. So it would seem that not only will I “hang out in cemeteries” in Ireland this summer; I will also (with the help of my “baby aunt”) be scouring the records and photos at the Cathedral.

Who Is He?
Photo not to be used without prior consent from the author.

I don’t know who they are; however, they ARE family. Are they my maternal Love Line; my paternal Wilson Line; or even my Elvin Family Line. I’m leaning towards them being a Love! As always, the search continues…

Posted in Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged Co. Londonderry, Elvin Family, Family History, Geneaology, Love Family, Wilson Family | Leave a comment

It’s A Small World!

Posted on March 8, 2014 by CJ Murdoch

Many people use the term “It’s A Small World”; have you ever stopped to think about HOW small our world really is? You may run into someone at a ball game that you hadn’t expected to see and say, “Oh, it’s a small world”! That, I would think, is overusing the phrase a little. What about being on the Great Wall in China and one of your travel companions ends up meeting someone they went to school with; someone whom they hadn’t seen in 20 years. Yes, that’s a much better example.

http://dictionary.reference.com defines it this way: “…One encounters the same people, events or situations in unexpected places.” www.urbandictionary.com defines it as follows: “said when a coincidence happens resulting from people knowing each other or meeting each other in unexpected circumstances.” The dictionary.cambridge.org definition states: “said to show your surprise that people or events in different places are connected”.

I, for this story anyway, lean towards the Cambridge Dictionary’s definition: “… people or events in different places are connected”.

My family emigrated from Northern Ireland to “Small Town” Ontario, Canada in 1971. “Small Town” had, and still does have, a population of about 5000 people. When my parents researched it before moving it was said to be a farming community; unfortunately, they didn’t mention it was a predominantly retired farming community!

My father, who was a former police officer in Northern Ireland, joined “Small Towns” police force. In the ensuing weeks one of the many people he met was an older gentleman; who he instantly developed a rapport with. After all, they had something in common; Mr. Rankin was from Northern Ireland as well! Specifically he was from Londonderry; my mother’s hometown. Over the next months the rest of our family was introduced to Mr. Rankin, his wife and family. They, along with my parents, inevitably spent many hours discussing “back home” or when their next trip “across the pond” (the Atlantic) was going to be.

UK_Northern_Ireland_Mourne_from_Tollymore_6c1835354930431c94de940ff99b83ed

“40 Shades of Green”

During one of these many discussions, while in the Rankin family home, my mother noticed a Beattie/Rankin coat of arms; which is when the discussion became really interesting. You see my maternal great grandmother was Charlotte Elizabeth Beattie who married Thomas Wilson. One of their sons was Robert Wilson, my maternal grandfather. Naturally, they wondered if there was a family connection.

Charlotte Elizabeth Beattie
My Great Grandmother & Charlotte Rankin’s Aunt

Fast forward several years later, on one of my parent’s trips “across the pond”; Mr. Rankin asked my mother if she would mind taking a gift to his sister Charlotte! Does that name sound familiar? My mother happily obliged and enjoyed her time with Charlotte; especially when the discussion came to the “Beattie Connection”. It would seem that Charlotte was named after her aunt; and yes, you guessed it… her aunt was Charlotte Elizabeth Beattie; my mother’s paternal grandmother!

Rankin Family
32 Fountain Place, 1911 Census of Ireland

Victoria Street, Londonderry
Where 3 generations of my Beattie/Wilson/Love Family Lived
and where I played as a little girl!

My mother often said, and still does, that Mr. Rankin’s eyes reminded her of her father’s; and one of his grandson’s looks like one of her brothers. So, it would seem, she was right! The “Small World” became even smaller when it was discovered that my mother’s family and Mr. Rankin’s family lived on two streets whose backyards were connected by a stone wall! Yes, indeed; “It’s A Small World”!

Posted in Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged Beattie Family - Maternal Line, Co. Londonderry, Ireland, Rankin Family | 4 Comments

TWISTED LIMBS & CROOKED BRANCHES

Theresa Scott

Remembered With Honour

A Strange Coincidence, or Was It?

The Scotts of Ballymacward, Co. Antrim!

“Reasonably exhaustive” research as a process of elimination

Faces Without A Name

The Beattie/Rankin Connection

The Belfast Blitz – A Personal Connection

St. Columb’s Court Swifts Football Team

It’s A Small World!

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