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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Antrim => Topic started by: Bodach on Friday 01 March 24 13:54 GMT (UK)
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Hi all.
I'm looking for help in finding James Becket b 1863 Ireland, and his wife Rachael Simpson, b 1869 Ireland. Two children born in Ireland and two born in Govan, Glasgow. They moved to Govan, Glasgow around 1894/1897. Family story says they came from Ballymoney, Antrim.
I don't have any other info on James or Rachael.
Thank you
David
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Was her surname definitely Simpson? I might be barking here, but at first glance I can see a Stewart Beckett and a James Beckett born to parents James Beckett and Rachel Downey in the first half of the 1890s (births registered in Ballymoney district):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1891/02371/1885126.pdf
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1894/02275/1854382.pdf
The only marriage I can find thus far was at Ballymoney Registrar's Office between a James Becket and Rachel Hamilton in 1890 (James' father was recorded as Stewart):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1890/10712/5905408.pdf
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Check the birth certificates of their Scottish born children, as the place and date of marriage should be recorded on same. Also, check James and Rachel's death certificates, if they died in Scotland, as Rachel's maiden name and the names of their respective parents should be recorded (albeit only as reliable as the knowledge of the informant).
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Incidentally, what looks like the same James Beckett born in 1893 above (reply #1) was baptised in October 1894 in Ballymoney & Derrykeighan RC parish, a transcript of that baptismal record says that he went on to marry a protestant named Agnes Nelson on 3 March 1920 in St. Saviour's, Govan, Scotland. Does that ring any bells?
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BECKETT
RACHEL
81
F
1949
644 / 16 / 57
TRADESTON
HAMILTON
RACHEL
81
F
1949
644 / 16 / 57
TRADESTON
Apart from age, above could possibly tie with the Beckett/Hamilton marriage you have posted, gaffy.
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A Joseph Beckett was born to parents James Beckett and Rachel Simpson on 2 July 1896 at Govan, the parent's marriage recorded as 29 October 1890 at 'Ballymoney, Antrim (Ireland)'.
Which of course is a match for the 1890 marriage I posted above, except for her surname. Rachel Hamilton, Downey and Simpson... all very odd.
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Mary Jane Beckett born 17th July 1900, 7 Albert Street, Govan. Father James Beckett occupation Quay Labourer, mother Rachel Beckett nee' Simpson. Parents "allegedly" married Ballymoney, Antrim, 29th October 1890.
1901 Scotland census
James Beckit 40 Head
Rachel Beckit 34 Wife
Edith Beckit 12 Daur (Daughter) ??????
Stewart Beckit 9 Son
James Beckit 9 Son
Joseph Beckit 7 Son
Mary J Beckit 4 Daur (Daughter)
Another daughter born 1906, this birth registration gives exactly the same marriage details as the birth of Mary Jane Becketts.
BECKETT
RACHEL
mother'smaiden name SIMPSON
F
1906
646 / 2 / 112
GOVAN
Possible death of Rachel Beckett snr and jnr
BECKETT
RACHEL
aged 72
SIMPSON
F
1978
615 / 413
GLASGOW, MARTHA ST
BECKETT
RACHEL
aged 81
F
1949
644 / 16 / 57
TRADESTON
SS
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There was a Rachel Hamilton born in Ballymoney district in 1872, no father named. Not a fit though for the 26yr old Rachel who married in 1890, unless she gave wrong age.
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There was a Rachel Hamilton born in Ballymoney district in 1872, no father named. Not a fit though for the 26yr old Rachel who married in 1890, unless she gave wrong age.
Mother recorded as Charlotte Hamilton.
Possibly the death of Charlotte. Rachel the daughter born c 1872 would have been 9/10 and "adopted as such" by a Simpson family?
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1882/06387/4833657.pdf
SS
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Name STUART BECKETT
Date of Death 1883
SR District/Reg Area Ballymoney
Deceased Age at Death 60
James' father 'Stewart' perhaps?
. District Intelligence.
DEATH—Tuesday one of the milesmen employed on the Northern Counties Railway, named Stewart Beckett, suddenly expired while at work on the line near Ballymoney station. It appears that during the last fortnight he was unwell, but feeling somewhat better...
14 April 1883
Northern Constitution
Coleraine, Londonderry
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Interesting birth record of a Charles Hamilton, father James Hamilton, mother Sarah Hamilton nee' SIMPSON. Wonder if James Hamilton and Charlotte were brother and sister and took in Rachel after her mothers death
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1881/02819/2034126.pdf
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added, marriage of James Hamilton and Sarah Simpson
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1868/11464/8213331.pdf
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Incidentally, what looks like the same James Beckett born in 1893 above (reply #1) was baptised in October 1894 in Ballymoney & Derrykeighan RC parish, a transcript of that baptismal record says that he went on to marry a protestant named Agnes Nelson on 3 March 1920 in St. Saviour's, Govan, Scotland. Does that ring any bells?
A 25 year old James Beckett married Agnes 'Neilson' on 18 July 1919 at a Registry Office in Glasgow, his parents were recorded as James Beckett, a labourer and Rachel m.s. Simpson.
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Thank you for all the replies. Its a lot to take in. I'll have to sift through them later.
One or two jump out straight away, this being one for sure. The Agnes Neilson was my Great Aunt so we're on the right track.
She married the son of the James and Rachael Simpson I'm looking for.
Thank you all.
Thank you
That's a bit more information than I had this morning.
Incidentally, what looks like the same James Beckett born in 1893 above (reply #1) was baptised in October 1894 in Ballymoney & Derrykeighan RC parish, a transcript of that baptismal record says that he went on to marry a protestant named Agnes Nelson on 3 March 1920 in St. Saviour's, Govan, Scotland. Does that ring any bells?
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Thanks Gaffy
"25 year old James Beckett married Agnes 'Neilson' on 18 July 1919 at a Registry Office in Glasgow, his parents were recorded as James Beckett, a labourer and Rachel m.s. Simpson.:
I have a copy of this certificate which is where I got the Simpson name from.
Fantastic so many people are keen to help out with great results when all I could find were blanks.
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HAMILTON
RACHEL
81
F
1949
644 / 16 / 57
TRADESTON
Apart from age, above could possibly tie with the Beckett/Hamilton marriage you have posted, gaffy.
She was recorded as the widow of James Beckett, a dock labourer, her son James Beckett of 30 Carmichael Street, Glasgow, was the informant and he gave her parents as John Hamilton, labourer and Elizabeth Hamilton, m.s. Simpson, both deceased.
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Name STUART BECKETT
Date of Death 1883
SR District/Reg Area Ballymoney
Deceased Age at Death 60
James' father 'Stewart' perhaps?
. District Intelligence.
DEATH—Tuesday one of the milesmen employed on the Northern Counties Railway, named Stewart Beckett, suddenly expired while at work on the line near Ballymoney station. It appears that during the last fortnight he was unwell, but feeling somewhat better...
14 April 1883
Northern Constitution
Coleraine, Londonderry
The coroner's verdict, a day after Stuart Beckett's death, was 'natural causes, 3 years'. Stuart died on the railway line at Ballybrake(s) and was living at Carnaney [sic].
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1883/06366/4826716.pdf
https://www.townlands.ie/antrim/dunluce-upper/ballymoney/ballymoney/ballybrakes/
https://www.townlands.ie/antrim/dunluce-upper/ballymoney/enagh/carnany-lower/
Both townlands lie on the current railway line.
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Just to recap, in case my thinking has gone out of whack... records indicate that this is one and the same woman who:
- married as Rachel Hamilton, son of John, in Ballymoney in 1890;
- had the first two Beckett children in Ireland as Rachel Downey in 1891 and 1893;
- was Rachel Simpson for the Scottish Beckett births;
- was Rachel Beckett m.s. Simpson according to her son James Beckett at his 1919 marriage;
- was Rachel Hamilton, daughter of John Hamilton and Elizabeth Simpson, according to the same son James in 1949.
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Believe when James Beckett/Rachel came to Scotland c 1894/5, James Hamilton and Sarah Hamilton nee Simpson had also arrived previously. 1891 census
James Hamilton 48
Sarah Hamilton 48
William Hamilton 20
Sarah Hamilton 17
Annie Hamilton 14
James Hamilton 11
Charles Hamilton 9
Thomas Hamilton 7
Joseph Hamilton 3
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1888/02530/1937154.pdf
SS
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They never fail to throw in a wobbly one.
Rachael of many names.
1890 Beckett nee Hamilton
1891 and 1893 Beckett nee Downey
1897 and 1906 Becket nee Simpson
1919 Becket nee Simpson
1949 Beckett nee Hamilton again
Is there any other information to pointing to Stuart Beckett as the father of James. Can I find out who he was married to?
Or is he just a possibility?
Thank you again
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This has to be a possibility for James' baptism in the Ballymoney RC parish registers, April 10 (1864), James Beckett of Stewart [Beckett] and Bridgt McMullin, Sponsors Patrick McMullin and Margt McGuckian:
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000633108#page/40/mode/1up (left page)
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This has to be a possibility for James' baptism in the Ballymoney RC parish registers, April 10 (1864), James Beckett of Stewart [Beckett] and Bridgt McMullin, Sponsors Patrick McMullin and Margt McGuckian:
https://registers.nli.ie/registers/vtls000633108#page/40/mode/1up (left page)
Lots of other children were baptised for a couple of parents with these names: Mary Ann in 1851 (Loughguile parish); Rose in 1853 (Loughguile parish); Margaret in 1857 (Ballymoney and Derrykeighan parish); Jane in 1859 (Ballymoney and Derrykeighan parish); Daniel in 1862 (Ballymoney and Derrykeighan parish); Charles in 1866 (Ballymoney and Derrykeighan parish); Stewart John in 1867 (Ballymoney and Derrykeighan parish).
Here are civil registrations for the last two (unnamed, I imagine the parents were waiting for the baptisms):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1866/03532/2299922.pdf
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1867/03477/2277522.pdf
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There is a transcript of a marriage from the Ballymena RC parish registers showing a Stewart Becket marrying a Bridget McMullan on 11 November 1845 at Loughguile RC Church, the two witnesses were Laughlin McKee and John Hanna.
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Lots of other children were baptised for parents with these names ... Stewart John in 1867 (Ballymoney and Derrykeighan parish).
Stewart John Beckett went on to marry Sarah Ann Carrigan in St. Mary's, Belfast, in 1896:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1896/10487/5819270.pdf
(I know this because a transcript of the church record of marriage states both parents for the groom: father Stewart John Beckett (deceased); mother Bridget McMullan - both parents from Ballymoney)
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This looks like Bridget (McMullan) Beckett's death, daughter Margaret was the informant:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/deaths_returns/deaths_1890/06119/4746862.pdf
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Marriage of Edith Beckett in 1916 names her mother as Rachel DOWNEY Beckett nee' Simpson
Edith appears in 1911 census with parents, brothers James and Joseph and sister Rachel
SS
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in 1921 James is aged 60 born Ballymoney, Rachel aged 62 6 months born Autical,? Ireland
SS
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in 1921 James is aged 60 born Ballymoney, Rachel aged 62 6 months born Autical,? Ireland
Looks more like Anticur (SE of Ballymoney).
Take a peek at Frazerburgh (two lines above) and its letter 'r'.
https://www.townlands.ie/antrim/kilconway/rasharkin/glenbuck/anticur/
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Unbelievable stuff here folks. Thank you so much. I was still staring at 0 finds in my searches this morning.
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Believe when James Beckett/Rachel came to Scotland c 1894/5, James Hamilton and Sarah Hamilton nee Simpson had also arrived previously. 1891 census
James Hamilton 48
Sarah Hamilton 48
William Hamilton20
Sarah Hamilton 17
Annie Hamilton 14
James Hamilton 11
Charles Hamilton 9
Thomas Hamilton 7
Joseph Hamilton 3
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1888/02530/1937154.pdf
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The sons joined the military and fought in the Boer and WWI. It is believed the parents returned to Ireland at some time after. One son married in Scotland, one son in Northumberland and the rest in Ireland. Another son is thought to have absconded from the military and disappeared. One daughter married in Ireland and the other is thought maybe Ireland/Scotland and emigrated.
I am the grandson of James aged 11
Interesting birth record of a Charles Hamilton, father James Hamilton, mother Sarah Hamilton nee' SIMPSON. Wonder if James Hamilton and Charlotte were brother and sister and took in Rachel after her mothers death
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1881/02819/2034126.pdf
SS
added, marriage of James Hamilton and Sarah Simpson
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1868/11464/8213331.pdf
I am not aware of a Charlotte in this family.
They never fail to throw in a wobbly one.
Rachael of many names.
1890 Beckett nee Hamilton
1891 and 1893 Beckett nee Downey
1897 and 1906 Becket nee Simpson
1919 Becket nee Simpson
1949 Beckett nee Hamilton again
Is there any other information to pointing to Stuart Beckett as the father of James. Can I find out who he was married to?
Or is he just a possibility?
Thank you again
Yes, it's certainly a conundrum. Perhaps Rachel's fathers name could be John Downey
Good luck
Jim
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Thank you for adding that information for me. It's amazing how you guys and girls can find all this stuff when all I get is a.. Nothing found.
How you all manage it I'll never know.
Thank you all again for the kindness you've all shown.
David