Susan Oliver 1916

[Catherine A]

Hi, can anyone suggest a useful route to locate Susan Oliver? She was born in Belfast in c1899 and married John Aitken, from Scotland. They lived at 14 Jaffa St, or at least that's where their son was born in 1916. I have tried censuses and all sorts to no avail, but there may be a local website/resource I am unaware of & haven't tried. Any pointers much appreciated.
Catherine

[aghadowey]

Are you sure Susan was born in Belfast c1899? I can't see a birth registration for a Susan Oliver born 1880-1899 in index to civil registration.
http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1408347

The 1911 census for Antrim and Down (which would cover Belfast) are online (also free) but I can't see her there either.

1912 Ulster Covenant lists A.W. Morrow at 14 Jaffa St. (www.proni.gov.uk)

Where and when did the marriage take place? (had a quick look but can't see a marriage in Antrim or Down for a Susan Oliver)

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   Using Emerald ancestors I come up with an unusual input. In the index it gives a marriage of a John Aitken to a Susanna McDonald (Oliver5 sic) in 1911. Looking up the detail-

20 Dec 1911 John Aitken married Susanna McDonald in Christchurch Curch of Ireland, Shankill, Belfast.

This is a bit early for your 1899 birth and the Oliver5 is puzzling. If the 5 is excluded it would imply that the lady had been married previously.

Regards

[aghadowey]

Brilliant find- and from that I think I found 'Susan Oliver' in 1911-
Turin St. (St. Anne's ward), Antrim
James Oliver 63 Co. Armagh
wife Elizabeth Oliver 62 Co. Cavan
son William Oliver 21 Monaghan
dau. Susan McDonald 27 wid. Co. Cavan
grandson James B. McDonald 4 Belfast

P.S. family were Church of Ireland which fits with marriage in Christchurch.

[aghadowey]

Forgot to add parents married 23 years, 11 children/7 children living which makes me wonder if James Oliver was married previously (Susan's age listed as 27).

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
    A bit more

25 Dec 1905 John Boyd McDonald married Susanna Oliver in Westbourne Presbyterian Church, Knockbreda, Belfast.

Regards

[Catherine A]

Thanks for the replies all. My only evidence, apart from her photo, is the birth certificate for my father, her son. It's for 1916, lists father as John Aitken, her as Susan Aitken, formerly Oliver, with the address of 14 Jaffa St. Now as to where I got that birth date from (after all it makes her 16-17 when baby born) I can't recall, but I must have got it from somewhere as I don't put dates down willy nilly! I suppose then I can assume it may not be certain. The idea that she'd been married before, funnily enough, was also mentioned by my stepmother who may have got it from dad. It sounds like, between you, you've found her for me! Which is pretty amazing as I just hoped someone might refer me to an Irish site I might not be aware of! Now I find myself wondering if she's the mother of the boy, James.
Anyway, thanks so much guys, you've been brilliant!
Catherine

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   Using the Aghadowey's link to the Pilot Search it only gives one Susan Oliver in 1880-1899 in Co. Cavan (Jan-Mar 1881).  Then using the LDS site for Susan Oliver , it gives her birth as 26 Jan 1881 in Killimore Co. Cavan. Her parents were James Oliver and Elizabeth Wood.

I wonder if they made a mistake on the length of their marriage or if , as Aghadowey suggested, James had been married before.

Regards

[aghadowey]

LDS site also lists several other children of James Oliver and Elizabeth Wood(s).
Checking index to civil registration there's only 1 Susan Oliver born Co. Cavan even close to age of Susan McDonald in 1911 census- the 1881 birth.
As the 1911 census says 'mother' Elizabeth Oliver was also born in Co. Cavan perhaps she was actually married longer than 23 years.
James Oliver- Elizabeth Woods
marriage 1869 Coortehill registration district volume 18 page 149