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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Tyrone => Topic started by: rupiezucki on Wednesday 23 September 15 18:05 BST (UK)
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I had long since given up on this branch of my tree, but find myself visiting relatives in County Derry and I may have enough information to get me started again.
My direct relative is Robert Somerville, birth registered in Clonavaddy, date most likely 22 Jun 1840. He marries Ann Gillies (b 1839) from Dalkeith, Scotland, on 21 Jun 1866 in Dipton (Collierley), County Durham, England.
I have Ann's census records from birth, but Robert only from 1871, in Dipton.
Their children are:
Eleanor 16 Jan 1870
Annie 23 Apr 1872
Alexandrina 20 May 1874
William 29 Sep 1876
George 31 Aug 1878
all born in or near Dipton.
Now George (31 Aug 1878) marries Margaret Ann Somerville, b 10 Jun 1876, in Altmore, Clonavaddy etc.
I believe this to be a first cousin marriage. Their children were:
Robert William Somerville b Jun 1903 d Sep 1903
Annie Mar 1905
Thomas Dec 1906
There may be others. The wedding and the children are in Durham.
Margaret Ann's parents are believed to be:
William Somerville (b 1848) and Mary Moore (b 1849).
They are on the Irish census of 1901 and 1911 living in Altmore with siblings.
Irish census only lists county of birth, which is Tyrone.
Because of many missing Irish records and the seemingly innumerable spellings of Somerville and the place names, I have been quite discouraged.
Now that I am here, though, I see that there may be other sources I can get at in person.
I have seen a reference online to a pub in Carnteel that has the Somerville family tree on a wall. I can't find a pub in Carnteel, so they must have been refering to the surrounding area.
Can anyone advise me on how best to proceed with all of this?
Cheers,
Rupie
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You mention that you think George Somerville and Margaret Ann Somerville were first cousins but do you have the marriage records for their respective parents? Those would be important for trying to establish the relationship.
The PRONI website has several wills and probate records that look to line up with this family.
There's a will for William Sumeral of Altmore who died 21 Mar 1875. That lines up with a record for a William Summerville in the civil death index aged 60.
The will names his wife as Ellen and his children as John, Samuel, William, Sarah, and Ellen. He also names Robert and Samuel Sumeral of Kilnaslee as brothers.
That William is likely the one on Griffiths Primary who was the only Somerville or variant listed in Altmore so he was probably the father of William who married Mary Moore. But get the marriage record to be sure and to get the extra details that might be useful.
He doesn't name a son Robert but it was common not to name all children who'd been provided for so you need Robert's marriage record to get his father's name.
I hope you're having a lovely trip:)
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There is LOTS of information for the Somerviles online but am I correct in thinking that you haven't gotten any certificates yet?
To start with here's an outline of William's family-
William Somerville (c1848-18 June 1912) m. Mary Moore (c1849-aft.1912)
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tyrone/Altmore/Altmore_alias_Barracktown/1734834
1901 directory: http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/PT1901OP.htm
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tyrone/Altmore/Altmore_alias_Barrack_Town/909321 (married 35 years, 9 children/8 living)
Administration of the Estate of William Somerville late of Altmore County Tyrone Farmer who died 18 June 1912 granted at Armagh to Mary Somerville the Widow.
1. William (1874-1934 N.Y.)
birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FPBP-44G
death: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2W51-544
2. Margaret (10 June 1876 Altmore)
birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGNX-5Z2
(note: father’s birthplace not listed on birth certificates. In this case father’s residence is Attmore [Altmore] and the child was most likely born at another location)
3. Ellen (26 Feb.1878-aft.1901) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FG6S-QVQ
4. James (1880) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGV9-RVZ
5. Lizzie/Eliza (12 May 1882 Dungannon dist.-aft.1901)
6. Annie (c1886/c1883-aft.1901)
7. John (8 Feb.1887-aft.1911)
8. Thomas (8 Feb.1887-aft.1911)
9. Mary/Minnie (27 Oct.1889-aft.1911)
You'll need to be extremely careful as I've found at least 3 other Somerville couples with wife's maiden name as Moore.
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Thank you both so much!
You're right that I have no marriage certificates yet. I really thought this line was unsearchable with the information I had. I really had given it up. I just tried some random online searches once I got here, and was amazed to find different results than what I get in Canada.
I shall get Robert and Annie's marriage certificate and go, carefully, from there.
I am having a fabulous trip. I feel like I am home.
Thanks again!
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Just a few more things-
My direct relative is Robert Somerville, birth registered in Clonavaddy, date most likely 22 Jun 1840.
Civil registration of births didn't start until 1864 so where does this date come from? if it is a baptismal record, what church?
Margaret Ann's parents are believed to be: William Somerville (b 1848) and Mary Moore (b 1849).
Believed to be indicates that you are not sure about this?
I have seen a reference online to a pub in Carnteel that has the Somerville family tree on a wall. I can't find a pub in Carnteel, so they must have been refering to the surrounding area.
Not everything online is correct so you need to verify everything you find. The 'family tree' is mentioned on this thread and I suspect the pub was the building where the post box is (heading uphill on right side of Main St. just past the crossroads). There's a fuel business just after that and they might know if this story is true (or tell you someone who might know the area better).
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=425515.0
I can also post the details I found so far on the other Somervilles in the area if you are interested- they might all turn out to be related.
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Thanks Agha,
The thread you refer to is referencing my Robert. Jim is a distant cousin to me. He, and another cousin, have cobbled together various documents and information, and I have tried to track it further. I have been unable to contact Jim for the last couple of years.
I have Margaret Sumerville's marriage cert, and I can't remember what else ??? , don't forget I am from home just now. I haven't touched this line in several years, as I was told the records were destroyed. Now it turns out that this is not necessarily the case, and that some are even on line. Since last I looked at this line, I sustained a brain injury, and I am concerned with not giving incorrect information to you, and sending you haring off. :D I do have my software with me, so everything I am giving you is coming from there. I am missing about 2 file cabinet drawers full of photocopies.
I think the only other Somerville doc I have is Robert's marriage to Ann Gillies in Co. Durham (21 Jun 1866), Collierley (Dipton).
Specific questions you posed:
I learned online that Clonavaddy was a registration area, not necessarily a townland, so when someone gave their birthplace as Clonavaddy, that could cover a wide area. This info came (I believe) from Robert's marriage certificate. I really can't remember where the date came from right now.
Margaret's parents. When I received the Somerville docs, I believe I was told that she was cousin to George (no docs to prove, though). I dimly recall seeing their names on the marriage certificate, but I have that feeling in the back of my head that something at the time didn't make sense. It might be something as simple as seeing Mary Somerville Moore as the mother, and wondering if someone made an error. Obviously, it could be accurate, I just think I noted it for further research. (Sidebar: this wariness comes from a 2nd cousin, whose family was unaware that she was illegitimate, as her death certificate listed a man that I knew to be her grandfather as her father. Even her surname was wrong, as her true father had acknowledged her. When they changed countries, her mother used her own surname. When the daughter married, she gave the name she was using. I have the certificate, and it's wrong. They had constructed a story and stuck to it. Add to that some of the errors on census records ... )
That reference to the Carnteel pub is the second I have seen. I will try and check it out.
With me being so far from my records, I would be MIGHTILY GRATEFUL for anything you would care to post.
I would also like you to tell me what search parameters you used on the LDS site. I have searched there before for my Somervilles and found almost nothing. Did you search from the main search screen?
Thank you very much for all if your help.
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English marriage certificates do not list birthplaces (and should say 'full age' or age in years) for that period so Robert's date of birth and birthplace likely came from another source.
Using the LDS site I did normal searches- by name or just putting in names of parents to find children.
Now, for the notes I took while searching- these are by no means complete and I haven't tried to connect the people listed but they may help you to confirm or eliminate some relatives.
Robert Somerville m. Mary Jane Moore. Ballymacall
1. Sarah (10 Dec.1866)
2. John (16 Mar.1869)
3. Mary (7 Apr.1871)
4. Robert (1873) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F5XM-WKS
5. Julia (1877) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGFF-MVY
6. Elizabeth (1879) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGJC-VTP
Samuel Somerville (born c1822): The Will (with one Codicil) of Samuel Somerill late of Kilnaslee County Tyrone Farmer deceased who died 15 January 1876 at same place was proved at Armagh by the oaths of William Peasley of Kilnaslee and Samuel Somerville of Gortnagoley both in (Dungannon) said County Farmers the Executors. Will mentions wife, son Samuel, daughters Mary Jane & Ellen.
Probate of the Will of Mary Somerville late of Kilnaslee County Tyrone Widow who died 13 July 1896 granted at Armagh to James Robinson and Samuel Burton Farmers. Will, not probated until 1901, mentions grandson John Dunlop & his sister Mary Ellen Dunlop
note: 1901, 1911- no Somervilles or Dunlops in Kilnaslee
Samuel Somerville (born c1856): Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Samuel Somerville late of Kilnaslee County Tyrone Farmer who died 18 February 1888 at same place were granted at Armagh to Isabella Somerville of Kilnaslee the Widow.
Marriage: Samuel Somerville, son of Joseph, 30 Apr.1850, Isabella Williamson https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FG6Z-S28
The Will of William Sumeral late of Altmore County Tyrone Farmer who died 21 March 1875 at same place was proved at Armagh by Robert Sumeral and Samuel Sumeral both of Kilnaslee in said County Farmers the Executors. Note: William Somerville died 1875 but his Will (written same day he died) was not probated until 1887
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Letters of Administration of the personal estate of Robert Somerville late of Gortnagola County Tyrone Gentleman a Bachelor deceased who died 5 February 1870 at same place were granted at Armagh to Margaret Somerville of Gortnagola (Donaghmore) Widow the Mother and one of the next of kin of said deceased.
Samuel Somerville (c1834-10 May 1917), son of Robert & Sarah, m.(31 Jan.1860) Elizabeth Jane “Lizzie” Moore (c1841-1918) www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tyrone/Altmore/Gortvagola/1735037
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tyrone/Altmore/Gortnagola/864122
Probate of the Will of Samuel Somerville late of Gortnagola County Tyrone Farmer who died 10 May 1917 granted at Armagh to David Brown and John Somerville Farmers. Will mentions daughter Sarah, wife Liza Jane, sons John & Thomas
1. Robert (c1862)
2. James (1863-1865)
3. Margaret (26 Jan.1866)
4. Samuel (29 Mar.1868-1946 North Dakota, USA)
5. Sarah (1870) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FPJP-H9P
6. John (1873-1947) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FG51-W9N
Somerville John of Gortnagola Galbally Pomeroy county Tyrone farmer died 21 May 1947 Administration Belfast 12 November to Thomas Somerville farmer. Effects £619 14s. 8d.
7. Thomas (1875) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGZ8-ZL4
Thomas Somerville (born c1876): Somerville Thomas of Gortnagoley Galbally Pomeroy county Tyrone farmer died 22 June 1956 Administration W/A Londonderry 21 September to Samuel Somerville farmer. Effects £4794 16s. 8d.
8. Joseph (1880-USA) birth: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGJ3-ML9
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Agha,
This is wonderful of you to provide me with all of this information. The sources you are providing are enabling me to run further down even more rabbit holes. I don't know if I previously mentioned my brain injury (short term memory loss :D), but my neurologist suggested that I always have a research project on the go. Little did he know!
We are off to the Famine village today. I expect it will hit me hard. This visit has been bittersweet. Wonderful people, fabulous food, the sessions - great craic! I wondered how my people could leave. It is one thing to understand 'potato famine', 'plantation', 'disposession', or 'The Troubles' with your head, but now I see it up close, and it is heartbreaking in so many cases. None of this 'off to make my fortune in the New World', more like 'HAVE to find a place where I can stay alive'.
I think that this last week's study has made me a better person. Thanks for your part in it.
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Hope the weather is better there for your sightseeing today- fog over most of Northern Ireland slowly clearing :-\
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Hello Rupie,
I've just come back to this forum after a years long abscence and see your search related to the Somervilles from Altmore.
I have some info on Samuel Somerville b. approx. 1868. He married Eliza Jane Hazelton b. 30 May 1874 [birth registered at Dungannon, but likely at Altmore]. She was a cousin to my grandfather, Charlie McIver from Gortnagola, Galbally, Donaghmore.
Ultimately, Samuel immigrated to Hartly, Iowa, USA and Eliza with parents and siblings immigrated to the same place. Their first child James was born in Harltey, and then the family moved to North Dakota. I have info on Eliza and her parents, and her children with Samuel. I don't relly have much past the 1940 US Census.
Please let me know if you are interested as it's too much to paste into here. We'll have to email, etc.
Cheers,
Sheila
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I have some info on Samuel Somerville b. approx. 1868. He married Eliza Jane Hazelton b. 30 May 1874 [birth registered at Dungannon, but likely at Altmore]. She was a cousin to my grandfather, Charlie McIver from Gortnagola, Galbally, Donaghmore.
She was actually born at Derryalskey (sic) townland in Donaghmore civil parish.
Her parents James Hazelton (a farmer) and Margaret Jane Hamilton.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1874/03153/2156477.pdf
https://www.townlands.ie/tyrone/dungannon-middle/donaghmore/castlecaulfield/derryalskea/
KG
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Hi KG,
Ah, thanks! I'll have to add that part to my records. It's a while since I've worked on that side of the family.
Sheila