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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Derry (Londonderry) => Topic started by: BrnCam on Wednesday 17 September 08 13:36 BST (UK)
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I'm looking for information on Wattons living in the Coleraine area around the turn of the century. My great grandfathers name was William Watton and he was married to a Jeanie Ross in the parish of Dunboe. Williams father was listed as a John Watton, but I haven't been able to find any trace in any of the church records for the area. I believe William was born about 1899 so I tried the 1901 census records but again no Wattons listed for the boundaries between Downhill and Coleraine.
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Hi
Emerald Ancestors has Wattons listed. The ones below may be of interest to you.
William Watton married Jeannie Ross, on the 6 Oct 1920, in Dunboe 1st Presbyterian church, Parish of Dunboe, Coleraine, Londonderry.
John Watton married Margaret McKeary, on the 25 Nov 1901, in Killowen Church of Ireland, Parish of Killowen, Coleraine.
John Watton married Sarah Jane Laverty, on the 22 Oct 1885, in Ballyrashane Church of Ireland, Parish of Ballyrashane, Coleraine.
John Watton, born 28 Aug 1867, Coleraine.
Parents, John Watton and Nancy Flemming.
Regards,
Dixie
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Thanks Dixie,
William and Jeannie are my great grandparents and the other info you provided will give me a starting point in trying to trace Williams ancestors.
I must take a look a Emerald Ancestors.
Brian
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Hi Brian,
I'm not sure where your William Watton fits in, but I have umpteen number of William Wattons from Coleraine in my tree going back to the mid 19th C! Have a look at the Watton page of my family history website at http://chrispatonscotland.tripod.com/id43.html and then let me know if you can see the connection. There weren't that many Wattons around, and none in Coleraine on the 1831 census.
I suspect the Coleraine family is connected to the other branch of the Wattons near Portrush in Antrim, but haven't found enough to establish the link yet.
Chris
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Hello Chris,
I've had a look at your site before and haven't been able to make any connection, at least for the moment. My great grandfather William Watton was born around 1899, he was living in Bellaney outside Coleraine in the 1920s when he got married and his father was a John Watton. According to my mother William had half brothers and sisters, but their names are a mystery. My mother also thinks there is a link to the Loughan area which is on the Ballymoney side of Coleraine sitting beside the river Bann.
My grandmother and her silblings were brought up outside the village of Articlave in a place called Ballywildrick (not too far from Balinteer).
Regards,
Brian
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Hi Brian,
There will undoubtedly be a connection, so do stay in touch - the family was too small in the area for there not to be. I'll bear you in mind also if I can find anything else - hopefully the 1901 and 1911 censuses will help in the next few months when released!
Chris
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Cheers Chris.
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Chris/Brian,
Won't be able to help you directly but came across the name Watton many years ago while researching soldiers from Londonderry who served in the First War.
However what is interesting is i have recently been compiling a nominal roll of all the men who served in the 10th Battalion [Derry Volunteers] Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers between 1914-18 for a book out in November.
On the list i have 5 Wattons'.
Two John's, James, Thomas and William.
James was killed, he was the son of the late John and Mary Watton and wife of Eliza, Tullans Coleraine.
One of the John's came from 2 Bates Lane Coleraine [he did not get to France but was discharged early] and the other from Mill Loughan, was discharged later in the war probably due to wounds.
Thomas and William came from Tullans as well and i think they are the brothers of James.
However he was 45 years old and they could even have been his sons.
There is als osome confusion as there are two districts, Tullans and Pullans and these some times get mixed up. I have seen this for James.
In addition there is also another William, supposed to have been killed in 1918 and a Harry from Damhead [?]. On Coleraine war memorial is a WJ Watton, but its not clear which one he is supposed to be.
Brian could these belong to you?
Also Chris, your site says that your William went to Scotland and came back. On the Covenant there is a William from Portrush who signed in Greenock, is he yours?
Have you looked at the Covenant site Brian?
Can give a little bit more info on the 10th Inniskillings if interested and service numbers etc for the Wattons.
Also some Wattons are listed on the Presbyterian memorial rolls for Northern Ireland.
Rob
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I have been having a look at the 1901 census records for Tullans area of Coleraine and have come across two Watton families. The first is that of a Thomas Watton 25 and husband of Mary Ann aged 22. They have 3 sons one of which is called William aged 3. The family are listed as being Church of Ireland.
The second are John Watton aged 49 married to Eliza aged 40. There are 5 children living at home one of which is a William aged 3. Apart from one sister aged 5 the other children are much older ( in their teens), this would make me think that this could be the family I'm looking for as the family story of half brothers and sisters might fit this senario. This family were also Church of Ireland, so I had a look for any births or marriages that might match for the local COI but no answers.
Eliza must have came from another part of Coleraine, any suggestions?
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Hello Rob,
Been looking at the information on your reply to Wattons in Coleraine Area, can you give me more information on the James Watton that you say died in WW1, son of John and Mary Watton and husband to Eliza. Think he may be my great grandfather.
Thanks, Audrey.
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Audrey,
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website lists James Watton, a Private in D Company of the 10th Battallion of the Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers who died on 7 Dec 1917. He was 45 years old and is listed as the son of John and Mary Ann Watton of Coleraine and the husband of Eliza Watton of Tullans, Coleraine.
In Emerald Ancestors I found James Watton born to John Watton and Mary Ann Freeman on 1 Jun 1873 in Coleraine. There were two siblings listed on the IGI, Thomas, born 29 Jan 1876 and Martha, born 10 Jun 1979.
In Emerald Ancestors I also found James Watton married Eliza Wilson in St. Patricks Church of Ireland, Coleraine on 1 Jun 1900.
Hope the above is of some help.
Regards
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Dear Kingskerswell
Many thanks for the information, the James Watton is my great grandfather, and thank you for the other siblings, didn't have Martha but had just found Thomas last week in 1901 census.
Much appreciated.
Audrey.
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James Watton, son of late John and Mary Ann Watton of Coleraine, married and living with wife at Tullans (?- or Pullans) outside Coleraine heading towards Ballymoney. Enlisted in Donegal and killed by sniper fire at Cambrai.
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Thank you for the added information, do you possibly know anything about James and Eliza Watton's children, how many or names?
I know of a James born in 1900 and a Thomas in 1903 but think there may be more.
With thanks
Audrey.
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Sorry, don't have any information on the rest of the family- just James because he was killed in WWI.
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Hello Audrey,
Do you know much about your GGfathers siblings or his parents?
I came across a Mary Watton born in 1884 to a John and Mary Ann in the records for Kildollagh. Could this be a relative?
Regards,
Brncam
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Audrey,
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website lists James Watton, a Private in D Company of the 10th Battallion of the Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers who died on 7 Dec 1917. He was 45 years old and is listed as the son of John and Mary Ann Watton of Coleraine and the husband of Eliza Watton of Tullans, Coleraine.
In Emerald Ancestors I found James Watton born to John Watton and Mary Ann Freeman on 1 Jun 1873 in Coleraine. There were two siblings listed on the IGI, Thomas, born 29 Jan 1876 and Martha, born 10 Jun 1979.
In Emerald Ancestors I also found James Watton married Eliza Wilson in St. Patricks Church of Ireland, Coleraine on 1 Jun 1900.
Hope the above is of some help.
Regards
From Soldiers of the Great War on FindmyPast.com- James' service number 19889. Medal index card adds little else - entitled to Victory medal, British medal and 1915 star. Theatre of war France, qualifying date is 5-10-15, KIA.
Chris
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I have been told during some research into my maternal side that a woman whose surname was McCormack married Watton and was from the Colraine area can anyone shed any light on this.
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I have been told during some research into my maternal side that a woman whose surname was McCormack married Watton and was from the Colraine area can anyone shed any light on this.
If you could give us an idea of names or dates we could try to help but with only the two surnames it's difficult to know where to serch or suggest where you could try to find information.
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James Watton, son of late John and Mary Ann Watton of Coleraine, married and living with wife at Tullans (?- or Pullans) outside Coleraine heading towards Ballymoney. Enlisted in Donegal and killed by sniper fire at Cambrai.
Hello Aghadowey,
Just reading through some of the old replies to the post. Just wondering how you came across the details of James death? Are they in Robert Thompsons book?
Regards,
Brncam
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Yes, information is from Coleraine Heroes by Robert Thompson.
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Hello,
I am also looking for Watton's in the Portrush / Coleraine area of Antrim.
My Great Grandmother Esther Sinclair Connor B 1870 Married in 1905 a William Watton B 1881. They had a son James Watton B 1909.
William Watton was the son of William John Watton and Margaret Ann. If any one has information on them or their families I would love to hear from you.
Janet
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Janet,
As you said Esther married William in 1905. The FamilySearch site has her name as Esther Mary Connor. They married in Ballywillin Church of Ireland and her father' name was Finlay Connor.
Regards
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Janet,
A correction - the father's name was Finlay Sinclair.
Regards
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Wonder if this is a connection?
Finley Sinclair, age 53, born "Belly Willan Co Antrum, County Antrim" [Ballywillan, Co.Antrim] living in Warwickshire. Found on www.familysearch.org 1911 census (we aren't allowed to do lookups for that census but it might be worth checking yourself).
On the other hand there's also a Finlay Sinclair in 1901 census in the area-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Portrush_Rural/Ballymagarry/943736
Can't be the one in 1911 English census as there's a death-
Finlay Sinclair, age 73, Jan./Mar.1908 Ballymoney registration district, volume 1 page 103.
some of the family in 1911-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Portrush_Rural/Ballymagarry/127854
"Probate of the Will of Finlay Sinclair late of Ballymagarry County Antrim Farmer who died 31 January 1908 granted at Belfast to Hugh Hunter Retired Farmer." See www.proni.gov.uk for image from Will Book. Will mentions wife Catherine Jane Sinclair. She died a short time later- "Probate of the Will of Catherine Jane Sinclair late of Ballymagarry County Antrim Widow who died 3 May 1910 granted at Belfast to Arthur Sinclair Farmer."
The following children are listed for Finlay Sinclair & Catherine Jane Martin (www.familysearch.org):
William Sinclair born 16 Oct.1865- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F55H-YVF
Andrew Sinclair born 7 Sept.1868- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FPYT-RB9
Esther Mary Sinclair born 21 June 1870- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F5S8-JWB
Arthur Sinclair born 22 Aug.1874- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FPMG-JQH
Agnes Sinclair born 6 May 1876 "Ballymagany"- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGNX-QJ6
Rebecca Sinclair born 31 Sec.1877- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FG6S-2B5
David Sinclair born 20 July 1880 Ballymagarry- https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGK4-L3V
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Janet,
This looks like Esther's first marriage. 1887 in Dunluce Church of Ireland, William John Connor to Esther Mary Sinclair.
Regards
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kingskerswell
Blimey, you rock! That is My Great Grandmothers family. I can not thank you enough for this information. It has been so hard finding out about our Irish ancestors.
Thank you!
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I have not been on this thread in a good while, but last night I made a DNA connection on my Watton line through MyHeritage, which may be about to break a longstanding brick wall.
I have several previously confirmed DNA connections to my three times great grandfather William Watton, born about 1846 in the barony of Coleraine, and who later married Eliza McLaughlin in Coleraine town in 1876. William was the son of William Watton, weaver, who in turn must have been born in the 1820s, although I suspect from Co. Antrim on the other side of the boundary to Coleraine barony (there are no Wattons in the 1831 census for Co. Londonderry). I had previously considered that this William's father might have been an Alexander Watton, who died in 1859 in Coleraine. If so, Alexander is my 5 times great grandfather, but until now I have been struggling to find proof.
The DNA connection I made last night, and which is also confirmed to my known Watton cousins in Australia and Canada, is for a descendant of an Agnes Watton, born about 1826, who married Henry Boyd in Glasgow in 1854. Her daughter's birth record in 1855 confirms Agnes was from Co. Antrim, and the Glasgow death record for Agnes from 1916 confirms her parents to be Alexander Watton (occupation blank) and Ann Murchy, both deceased. We share just 16.7cM. It seems very likely that Agnes and my four times great grandfather William (the weaver) were siblings, which I am now working to try to substantiate.
I have some additional details on the children of this Alexander:
James Watton b. abt 1819 died 19 JAN 1864 Tradeston, Glasgow - married to Elizabeth Wallace. parents noted as Alexander Wattan (sic), farmer, and Ann Murphy, both deceased.
Ann Watton, d.o. Alexander Watton, labourer, md Daniel Mooney at Ballyrashane 29 NOV 1847.
Jane Watton, d.o. Alexander Watton, labourer, md John McIlwaine at Ballyrashane 10 JUL 1849. She was resident at Carnglass, Ballyrashane.
Robert Watton, s.o. Alexander Watton, weaver, md Elizabeth Blair at Terrace Row (3rd Coleraine) 14 DEC 1855. He was resident at Carnglass.
Griffiths Valuation noted only one Alexander Watton in Ireland, resident at Lisnisk townland in Ballyrashane. It's possible this was Alexander senior (and published after he died), or a son of the same name.
If anyone else has a connection to Alexander I would be interested to hear from you – and if you have DNA tested, I'd be interested to see if we match also (I have results hosted on Ancestry, MyHeritage and GEDMatch).
Thanks
Chris
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Can't see this mentioned yet but have you checked both Dr. Mullin's book Families of Ballyrashane and his notes (Coleraine Library)?
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I haven't, but I am now on it, thanks! :)
Chris
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I now have the Families of Ballyrashane, and it lists one family of Wattons, that of Robert Watton, who married Elizabeth (Betty) Blair in 1855. I've confirmed he is a brother to Agnes Watton. Next stop is to get to Coleraine Library at some point to chase up the notes. The book notes Robert as being of 'Mooryet', although his marriage record shows him as resident at Carnglas.
For anyone else looking into this line, it notes Robert's family as follows (no dates are given):
1. Robert, unm, lived on home farm.
2. Annie, lived with Robert.
3. Joseph, went to Canada.
4. James, went to Canada
5. Alexander, married Sarah Taggart, seven kids (Robert, Alexander, John, Thomas, David, William Rankin, Annie, Norman Blair)
6. Thomas, died in Belfast.
Thanks again to Aghadowey - hasn't quite resolved the query yet, but has greatly expanded the field of play!
Chris
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I suspect Coleraine Library will have Dr. Mullin's notes in storage so perhaps best to ask ahead unless you live locally and can pop in to inquire.
When the notes were originally donated to the Irish Room they were in cabinets near front entrance where one signed in and as a condition of access to the notes there was a separate sign-in book (sign-in on left of entrance then a doorway into offices- notes were in file boxes just to right of this office doorway).
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Thanks again. I live in Scotland now, so it may be a while before I can visit, but it is on my to do list!
Chris
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A quick follow up. On MyHeritage, I have now made another Watton DNA match, this time to a great grandson of Robert Watton of Mooryet, as mentioned in Families of Ballyrashane. My DNA match is in his mid-70s and still farms in the area. Thanks to this and other DNA matches, it's now looking almost certain that my ancestor William Watton, my four times great grandfather, was Robert's brother, and that Robert's father, Alexander Watton of Ballyrashane is my 5 x great grandfather. My William would also appear to be the weaver of that name who died at Ballylough, Bushmills, on 21 AUG 1902.
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Hi Chris,
There appears to be a mistake in the last sentence.
My William would also appear to be the weaver of that name who died at Ballylough, Bushmills, on 21 AUG 1902.
William Watton who lived at Ballylough, Bushmills was 92, a weaver and died in 1905.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1905/05596/4572873.pdf
The man who died on 21st August 1902 was 41, a gardener and lived at Hartwell Street, Belfast.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1902/05689/4603449.pdf
KG
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Sorry yes, 1905, not 1902. The other gent is my three times great grandfather, his son.
Chris
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We have a John Tate buried in Enfield, Connecticut, who , in the early 1800s was married to a Jane Watton. do you see any Tate lines in your working of the Watton family ? thanks.
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we would like to trace to some townland, a certain couple who died in Enfield, Connecticut, back to county Derry.
John Tate born around Coleraine about 1810, was married to a Jane Watton and they immigrated to Philadelphia 1839, then to Connecticut.
i do not know anything about the following Watton men, but see named in the 1822-35 Tithe books: Census Substitutes: Alexander Watton in Lisnick in 1832; and then i see a James Watton in Knocketown in 1832. Anyone recognize them, either?
Trying to learn family of Jane Watton Tate. and anything on the John Tate she married, before 1838.