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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Derry (Londonderry) => Topic started by: shikenu on Saturday 13 October 07 15:35 BST (UK)
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I have posted this message on a couple of other boards without success so now trying here.
I am trying to trace the ancestry of Sir James McElmunn / McIlmunn Wilton as I understand he was a second cousin of my grandmother. I have some to a dead-end with my great-great-grandfather Alexander Wilton, and I am hoping that I can go further back with the family tree by taking this ‘detour’.
Alexander Wilton married Barbara Walls in 1862 and lived in Coleraine apart from a short period when they lived in Ballymena. I managed to find their marriage certificate but unfortunately it does not contain the name of his father. Alexander Wilton was born around 1840 and died in the late 1880’s, possibly 1887.
Their children were Mary Jane Wilton (married John Hamill), Lavinia Wilton (married Henry McNabb), Martha Wilton (married John Gough), Alexander Wilton (died young), Ellen Wilton (died young), Barbara Wilton (died young), Marcus? Wilton, Lily Wilton (married David Thompson) and John Wilton ( no information on John but as far as I know he married and had a family).
If my grandmother was correct then the grandfather of James ‘Jemmy’ Wilton was the brother of Alexander. My grandmother also said that the founder of Wilton the undertakers was a second cousin, his name was William Wilton and I have recently discovered that James and William were brothers. Sir James Wilton played football for Ireland winning 7 full caps from 1888 – 1893 and from 1914-1945 he was the IFA president. He fought in World War I as a captain in the Royal Irish Regiment's 36th division and was badly wounded at the Somme and was awarded the Military Cross for bravery. After the War he went into politics and served two terms as Lord Mayor of Derry from 1935-1939, he was knighted in 1937 and died in 1946.
The only birth certificate I have been able to find for a James Wilton born at the right time and right place show his parents to be James Wilton and Sarah McIlwain but I am NOT sure I am on the right track here. This James Wilton was a coach trimmer and his father, Daniel was also a coach trimmer. My Alexander Wilton was a whitesmith at one stage and a coach builder.
I would be very grateful if anyone has any helpful information
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May be connected?: Coleraine Chronicle lists son of David Wilton born 27 Oct.1864 at Alma Row, Coleraine. Same paper- Margaret, age 58, wife of Thomas Wilton, died suddenly 25 May 1869 at Coleraine. Also- Isabella, 2 yrs 10 mo., dau. of William Wilton, died 7 Oct.1866 from scarletina.
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Wow that was quick!
Thanks very much, I will see where the dates fit in the family.
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Londonderry Sentinel- son of James Wilson, Leckey Rd. Derry born 21 Nov.1868.
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found this birth. JAMES WILTON 21-11-1868 CITY OF DERRY, DERRY, IRE.
parents. JAMES WILTON & SARAH MCILMUNN. (his middle name)
regards mary.
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Mary
Thank you very much, that is very helpful. It clears up a doubt I had about birth details I had got from Emerald Ancestors. The details were for James Wilton born 21 Nov 1868 to James Wilton and Sarah McIlwain. I wondered if McIlwain had been incorrectly transcribed, with W and M being confused. I will now look for their marriage details and hope to find the name of the father of James Wilton (Senior). The address is given as 14 Leckey Road, Derry which ties in with the previous post with details from the Londonderry Sentinel
Thanks again to you and to "aghadowey"
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i found some more info that might be of some interest to you.
marriage. DANIEL WILTON TO MARY THOMSON 4-10-1834@ NEW ROW PRES. CHURCH. COLERAINE, CO. DERRY.
birth. ROBERT MCELMUNN WILTON 9-10-1874 DERRY.
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i found some more info that might be of some interest to you.
marriage. DANIEL WILTON TO MARY THOMSON 4-10-1834@ NEW ROW PRES. CHURCH. COLERAINE, CO. DERRY.
birth. ROBERT MCELMUNN WILTON 9-10-1874 DERRY.
birth. WILLIAM MCELMUNN WILTON20-1-1872 DERRY.
parents. JAMES WILTON & SARAH MCELMUNN.
i think the marriage you found is theirs.
regards mary.
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Mary
I can't believe how much information you have been able to find in such a short time. Thanks so very much. Robert Wilton is a new addition. I now have the marriage of James Wilton to Sarah McIlmunn on 3rd Feb 1868. They were married in Ballyarnett Presbyterian Church.
From the marriage details his father was Daniel Wilton. Both James and Daniel were coach trimmers, my Alexander Wilton was a whitesmith and later a coach builder. I originally thought that Alexander and the father of James Wilton Sr were brothers but going by the dates of their respective marriages, Alexander in 1862 and James in 1868, they may have been brothers. Alexander and Barbara had quite a large family and a Sarah Wilton was present at the birth of their son Alexander when they were living for a brief time in Ballymena.
Going back to Mary Thomson. This is interesting as my grandmother's bridesmaid was Maggie Thompson and my grandmother always said they were cousins. My dad thought this was perhaps a relationship by marriage as Alexander's youngest daughter married a Thompson in 1901 but my grandmother and Maggie were close friends from they were toddlers together. The other thing is that the first born child of Alexander Wilton and Barbara Walls was named Mary Jane. From Barbara Walls pension records I found that her mother was Jane Hale, so it makes sense that their daughter was named for both grandmothers, with possibly the other one being Mary Thomson. Now I just have to prove it!!
Alexander and Barbara were married in a Roman Catholic church in Coleraine (I don't know which one), their first few children were baptised in the Catholic church and the rest in the C of Ireland. It was a mixed marriage but I have no idea why half were Catholic and half were C of I. Alexander must have died in late 1880's and Barbara died on 18th April 1933 - we have her obituary from the Coleraine Chronicle.
One the marriage certificate for Alexander and Barbara, the surname of the witness for Barbara is listed a McGowan. At the bottom there is this comment: Rev S Walsh MGR 2nd Witness recorded as "a Magowan's girl". Would you have any idea what that would mean?
Thanks again so much for your input.
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i think somewhere i read that in some mixed marriages that the girls were brought up catholics and the boys non catholic, this is to do when non catholic's had a better chance of getting a job, so it was more important that the boys got work. i'am sure if i'am wrong someone will correct me.
i do'nt know why that was wrote on the cert.
my grgr grandparents were also marrried in ballyarnett church.
regards mary.
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This is an old post ... and you probably know this already ... but just in case !! ;)
In 1893 - Ireland's inside left footballer James McIlmunn Wilton fought in World War I as captain of the Royal Irish Regiment's 36th division and was seriously wounded. He later was knighted, and was IFA president from 1914 to 1945.
http://www.iffhs.de/?3f4b05ffcd85bcca952b9b95205fdcdc3bfcdc0aec70aeeda315
EDIT ... sorry .. I should have read more carefully ! :-\
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Hello Shikenu
I am a relative of Sir James Wilton and have a lot of information which might help you. Is there anything in particular you need help with
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Hi there
This seems an old post so not sure if I will get a reply but here goes anyway!
My great great grandmother was Catherine Young (nee Wilton) tracing back my family tree I can see the Wilton family were rather well know in the Londonderry/Derry area and her nephew was Sir James Mcllmunn Wilton a footballer who was IFA president from 1915-1945 as well as Mayor for 2 spells and was also knighted
My 2nd cousin 2 times removed according to the kinship calculatoris Claude Wilton who after researching him is a rather well known solicitor and part of the civil rights movement during the troubles
Just thought I would put a post on here to see if anyone has more information or I could help with the information I have
Kind regards
Neil
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My wife’s great great grandfather was Thomas, Catherine’s brother. Do you have any photos ?
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Hi
Thanks for your reply, sadly I have not got a picture of Catherine though I do have a picture of her daughter Mary with my great grandfather Frederick Hawkins
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I have a picture of them cutting their golden wedding anniversary cake. My wife remembers meeting Lily and Joe Smallwood
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My dad has met Joe and Lily in the 60s they came up to Liverpool from Reading he was not sure if they were living there at the time or just visiting as a lot of Mary and Fred’s kids moved to England. My dad thinks Joe was a chauffeur as he drove a big car but he is not 100% sure
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My wife thinks Joe possibly worked for a funeral director hence the big car. Do you have a family tree online, it would be helpful to see if I have people in the right places.
We are in Belfast, are you in NI
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That makes sense about Joe as my dad seems to remember him driving a very big car an Austin Princess he thinks so your wife is probably right. I do have a family tree online though it’s a private one I started researching over 2 years ago but have made a lot of progress on the Irish side over the last few months after hitting a brick wall
I am not from NI, I am from Liverpool but I have visited NI many times as my sister in law is from there
Kind regards
Neil
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Neil
Does the name Margaret Nelson in Wallasey mean anything to you?.
My wife says she is a Wilton bit doesn’t know anymore.
If you are on Ancestry look for my tree, Morrow family tree, it might have bits and pieces to help you. I am also on My Heritage, the same name.
If I can be of help just let me know.
Stephen Morrow.
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Hi Stephen
No I can’t say Margaret Nelson rings any bells with me and have not come across her in my research
My tree is actually on find my past. I have a decent knowledge of the Hawkins family from my dad so if there is any information you need I may be able to help
Many thanks for your information
Kind Regards
Neil Hawkins
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Hiya!
I was reading through your notes and I am the great great grandchild of Lillie (Wilton) and David Thompson.
I would love to chat more.
Sara.
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My great great grandfather was William Wilton of Coleraine, a watch maker
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Hi
Just seen a couple of new messages posted on here.
Having checked my family tree Lilly Wilton was my 1st cousin 3 times removed I believe her father was Alexander Wilton who was the brother of my great great grandmother Catherine Young (Wilton)
The only William Wilton I can find on my family tree is William MxElmunn Wilton I have his birthplace as Londonderry/Derry but I know some of the Wilton’s were born in Coleraine I have his birth year as 1872 and he was the brother of Sir James Wilton if so he is also a 1st cousin 3 times removed according to the kinship calculator on my family tree
I hope this information is useful
Regards
Neil
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The only William Wilton I can find on my family tree is William MxElmunn Wilton I have his birthplace as Londonderry/Derry but I know some of the Wilton’s were born in Coleraine I have his birth year as 1872 and he was the brother of Sir James Wilton if so he is also a 1st cousin 3 times removed according to the kinship calculator on my family tree
There is a William Wilton born 1872 Coleraine (no middle name) whose father William Wilton was a smith.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1872/03227/2182813.pdf
This William Wilton, watchmaker, son of David-
Wilton William Thompson of 4 Macdonald Terrace Coleraine county Londonderry watchmaker died 24 June 1942 Probate Londonderry 29 September to Jane Wilton the widow. Effects £423 7s.
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Londonderry/Coleraine/Rosemary_Lane/1518956/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Londonderry/Coleraine/Mount_Street/589768/