Find Ancestors

What lovely memories you have- it's these that make a family tree more than just a list of names. It might be helpful to record these memories for future generations.

It's so nice that you have photos to see- make sure you label them, don't rely on your memory! I hope your Dad is enjoying going through the boxes.

I do try to research the addresses of where my ancestors lived- always interesting to see how many were crammed in to so few rooms. Some years ago I worked at a special school in Birmingham. It was an old Victorian house with narrow back stairs and tiny bedrooms for the servants, and large cellar, and a more formal staircase to the front of the house. I found it on the 1901 census (the 1911 census was then not released) and researched the well to do family that lived there. I found it fascinating to imagine the school as a family home- unfortunately I think I bored my colleagues to death! Some people just don't get the bug! A friend recently told me that the house has now been knocked down to make way for new housing, sad but probably needed.

As more records become available on-line, you might just find a few gaps to fill in Mary's story. There are plenty just waiting to get their hands on the 1921 census- a few years away, but it will answer questions for many.

I will reply to that shortly, just got to go out for a while. I will tell you how all this started, similar story to yours.

That was a very interesting story, and I can understand what you say, especially the bit about boring people to death, I bore people to death as well. Ive got the bug, my Mum calls it obsession. Both parents are fasinated with all the info you are giving me though, there was so much that they didnt know, and now you are filling in the pieces.

For me it started in August 2017, we were meant to be going to Wales for a meeting, and I said to my Husband, my Mum, her Mum and her parents, (3 generations) either were born or lived at 5 Arch Street, Pontlottyn, Wales. I thought it would be nice to take a photo of the old house and show it to Mum. Googled the postcode, nothing. Couldnt find the street, or any mention of it. Then I saw a closed Facebook page 'Pontolttyn memories' thought to myself, if anyone knows they will. Joined it, Arch street was condemned and pulled down in the 1960's. Lots of people on the site lived in Arch street, told me lots of stories, some of them knew my family. One ladies Mum went to school with my Nan. We met up with a man, who spent 2 days with us, showing us all around, he lived there all his life. What an experience!! Found a cousin there, my age, had never heard of her, made me realise I had so much family in Wales and didnt even know, and without boring you further, as I could go on and on, thats how it started.

The bit that still sends shivers down my spine is that I actually walked on the ground where the house was, and walked through the park where my Mum used to play with her brother, about 200 yards from the house, as fortunatly the park is still there, and pretty much unchanged.

Funny thing, I was born and bred in central London, never been to Wales in my life before that, I was talking to a security guard in Tesco's on the first day there, because hubby had wandered off, and he asked me what part of Wales I came from, I said I have never been to Wales, this is my first day, he said I detect a Rhymney accent, Pontlottyn is in the Rhymney valley, a very much untouched tiny village,most of the people there have lived there all their life, we were in Cardiff at the time, and I told him the story, I thought it was amazing he picked that up, as there are many accents in Wales, Pontlottyn is very broad. I never knew I had any accent. Obviously picked up the odd word from my grandparents, as my Mum almost speaks with a plum in her mouth.

Sorry for the delay- have been attempting to make a vegetarian lentil pate for lunch- I was supposed to use smoked paprika but I only had hot smoked paprika- the stuff has nearly blown my head off it's that hot!

What a great start to your research- and such a treat to be shown around by the local people and find an unknown relative. I am a little jealous. Hopefully there will be a meeting in Ireland and you can see where Mary lived.

That would be really good, Chris has never been to Ireland, we were talking about going there last year, maybe we will, as he does take an interest in all this. As long as that one hasnt been knocked down as well. It would be nice to walk along the streets of Larne.

Vegetarian lentil pate sounds lovely, but sorry you got burnt.

I have to admit it made me laugh, I have a bit of a naughty sense of humour, I cant help laughing at things like that, I try to control it but I cant. My brothers dog bit him on the nose a few years ago and I still laugh now whenever he mentions it. Needless to say, my brother was not amused, neither was he amused with me laughing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Guinness,_1st_Baron_Moyne

Have a read of this - it may give you some ideas plus a photo may show some resemblance to your family.

Thank you for that link, I will have a proper read of it over the weekend, we know that my Great Grandmother was a good friend of Lady Guinness, but we are trying to establish which one. We think, but have yet to confirm that she was in service to the Guinness family, and then they remained good friends for many years, but proving it all is hard, even tracing her whereabouts has been hard, I have been given a lot of great pointers from this site as to the other members of her/my family, but again we have yet to prove 'the link'

I havnt had time to completely digest the article, but had a quick look, and I think it did turn up something interesting. My Mum told me that when my Grandparents, JCL Lynn and May Lynn got married they lived at a Place called Peabody buildings.

The address for my Grandfather on their marriage certificate is 287 Lillie Road, Fulham.

I didnt see the connection in as much as they are possibly one and the same.

When I read the article you referred me to, the Guinness family set up a vast number of housing trusts in and around just about everywhere.

One of them was Peabody Buildings, Lille Road, Fulham.

This could be the connection with my Great Grandmother Mary Lynn, who we know was friends with Lady Guinness, albiet I dont know which Lady Guinness.

I am now wondering if she lived with them, when they were first married. Maybe because of her link with the Guinness family, she was able to get the property in the first place, or at the very least, maybe she was already living with my Grandfather at 287 Lillie Road. Then May Lynn moved in.

Like everything with Mary Lynn, proving it is difficult.

I know this is a long and old thread, but I am still working my way through it.

I am looking for some help please with one particular census which you helped me with before.

Its the 1901 census for 30 Sandhey Street, Kirkdale, Lancs. mentioned in this thread on 9th Feb 2018 at 19.57.

Its Matilda White neice F 17 Ireland. I am looking at.

Matilda is my Great Grandmothers sister, their Father was James White 1847, married to Mary Young. (no DOB but died 1889).

AustinQ has advised me that John White 1854 (on the census) is the brother of James White 1847.

I am looking for a census, or anything that proves that John and James were brothers and to also prove that their Father was Hercules White would be a bonus, I just can't find anything to show the link.

If you could help me I would be really grateful.

John White married Sarah Hanley in 14th November 1876 Belfast
John's father listed as Hercules White, labourer

James White married Mary Young 1871 Ballymena.
James' father listed as Hercules White, labourer.

You can see the original entries by searching here:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/civil-search.jsp

Hi Austin, yes thank you I have all that, you found it for me before. The reason why I am digging so much with this one is that I cant find a census showing the family of Hercules, John and James.

I have been contacted by someone who is related to John White, and I know how I am related to James.

Deborah, John and James were born in Ireland, you won't find them together as a family on the census.

Both the marriages of James and John list father as Hercules. I thought this was the link you were looking for.

The fact that James White's daughter, Matilda, is listed as the niece of John White in 1901 surely further confirms that James and John were brothers.

Yes it is, I just thought it would be good to have a census, is the reason I wont find them on a census because its Irish, I know Irish records are patchy sometimes.

I have found a few Hercules in my searching. Its difficult when they are common names, to be certain you have the right person.

I have a DNA match with the person who contacted me, so I am trying to be absolutely certain of where we are related, thats all it is.

Only the 1901 and 1911 Irish census are available. Census returns 1861- 1891 were destroyed.

The only full surviving Irish censuses are 1901 and 1911, plus some bits from 1821, 1831, 1841, and 1851:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/

General info here:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/help/pre1901.html

This was the possible for your James with his father, Hercules, that was posted earlier. Unfortunately, John was born after 1851:

Ireland Census 1851 Transcription

Residence Antrim
Townland Ballyrobin
Parish Killead
Barony Lower Massereene
County Antrim

Hercules White 1818 33 Male Head
Elenor White 1817 34 Female Wife
William White 1841 10 Male Son
George White 1843 8 Male Son
James White 1847 4 Male Son
Mary White - - Female Daughter
Rose Hughes 1801 50 Female Mother

Ok thank you both, that explains a lot.

I'm very grateful.

The Guinness people did set up a housing trust in London,,but it was GeorgePeabody an American banker who set up the Peabody Trust in London,,,,,,I have the history about him,plus details of the block housing on Lillie Road,,,it was opened in 1910.& still there under the letting of The Peabody Trust based in Westminster.

The bulidldings are in blocks and the frontage is quite formidable to look at but has had a modern overhaul .