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Hi, I am trying to find out more information on my GG Grandfather ROBERT THOMPSON. I have no DOB but his DOD was 23/11/1878. I believe he was a sailor and originally came from the shore side of the Belfast Road near Carrickfergus.He married my GGGrandmother MARY ANN JOHNSTON from Silverstream on 13/12/1863 but it appears he was a widower at this point.There were six children that I know of and I assume by the dates I have four were from his first marriage.They were-SAMUEL THOMPSON-nil known about him. JAMES THOMPSON nil known other than he died at sea. MARY JANE THOMPSON who firstly married JOHN MCQUOID 17/8/1876 then HUGH CLOSE 21/3/1883 and AGNES THOMPSON who married DAVID HILL 6/10/1882. Then I assume the two children from the second marriage were- My G Grandfather ROBERT THOMPSON DOB c 1863/64 who married my G Granny Maggie Barton and his sister ELLEN THOMPSON c 1866 who married ROBERT MCSEVENEY 2/2/1888.I know that my GG Grandparents ended their days in St John's Place in Larne.
I am hoping that by mentioning the above names someone out there may have a connection with the THOMPSON side of my family on there family tree and that I may find out things like my GGGrandfather's first wife's name who his parents were and maybe even the DOB of there other children.I would be delighted to hear from anyone with even the smallest piece of information. Thanks Faith Butler/Thompson

Hi, Thanks for getting back so quickly. So am I correct by saying if he was born in 1863 the Baptism certificate is all the info I can get.I was really hoping that it would give me a break through in locating his parents.Thanks anyway.Faith

Hi Derek, Thanks for letting me access your site and the 1911 census. I will go over it with a fine tooth comb to see if I can find any of my relatives. What an amount of work you have done. Thanks again Faith

Hi Alistair
Thanks for getting back to me. I am really interested in finding out more about the McGiffen's but unfortunately so far I have very little to go on. I do not have a copy of my Grandparents wedding certificate but do know that their marriage took place in Carrickfergus Methodist Church 27/10/1905 they were Robert Thompson and Wilhelmina McGiffen.
My husband and I have recently returned from a three week ancestry trail of Ireland and spent our first week in Co Antrim as my father came from Larne. I have found researching this side of my family quite difficult.
I know that on the LDS site my Granny's birth name is recorded as Wilhelmina Ross however on my Dad's wedding certificate she is down as Wilhelmina Thompson/ McGiffen.
It was information gathered from a late Aunt ( my Dad's sister ) that told me about how Elizabeth Ross ( my G Granny from Island Magee ) and William Francis McGiffen were to be married but there had been a dissagreement with his sisters? and it did not go ahead but it was agreed that the baby they were expecting ( my Granny ) would take his name. I also know that she is on the 1911 Larne Town Census as Wilhelmina Thompson? McGiffen.
I have it from two sources that he was a schoolmaster. I wonder if he did not come from Island Magee but just taught there and met my G Granny there. There again he may have come from there but after this happened felt the need to move away. I am in the process of trying to see if the church records would give the parents names. I would be delighted to get any information on the McGiffen's that may be relevant. Between the Ross's and the McGiffen's I am still a long way from cracking this side of my family. Thanks again Alistair for getting back and I look forward to hearing from you. Faith Butler/Thompson