James Ahara - Greenock/Ireland

[sjm21560]

Dear all, I'm trying to trace the origins of my Great Grandfather, James Ahara.

Census records tell me that he was born in Ireland about 1857, possibly the Ballymena area, Antrim. His death certificate, 1915 Greenock Infirmary, states that his parents were Samuel Ahara, farm labourer, and Margaret Greenwood.

He was married three times: 1) Sarah Jane Winton 1878 in Greenock, 2) Agnes Stevenson Torbet or Anderson or McQuiston 1890 in Greenock, 3) Flora Brown 1902 in Glasgow.

Family lore suggests that he changed his name from O'Hara to Ahara, and documents would tend to support that this happened around 1889.

Census residences in Greenock:
1891 - 7 Prospecthill Street
1901 - 20 West Stewart Street
I can't find him in the 1881 census although he married his first wife in Greenock in 1878.

He worked in a sugar refinery and was a church officer at least between 1899 and 1912.

Any help or information on James & family would be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards
Stewart

[Gadget]

Hi Stewart

I presume that you've seen the  IGI patron submissions and ? extracted births to Samuel O'Hara and Margaret Greenwood:

About 1850, Kirkinriola, Ballymena, Antrim - John
About 1852, Kirkinriola, Ballymena, Antrim - Margaret
13 April 1865, Ballycregg, Ballyclug, Antrim - Agnes
1 Dec 1867, Antrim - Samuel (? this is a C batch no.)
29 Aug 1870,Antrim - Elizabeth (? this is a C batch no.)



also a patron submitted marriage for Samuel and Margaret:

23 March 1849, Ballymena, Kirkinriola, Antrim


Do you have his occupation at his first marriage - or was it  labourer, sugar refinery    It may help in locating him on the 1881.


Gadget

[TF13]

this is Stewart's post on the antrim board if it helps;

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,406159.0.html

tony

[sjm21560]

Hi again, Gadget! 

Yes, I've seen the IGI entries and they may well provide a tenuous link (I've also posted on the Antrim board).

James's occupation is given as "Sugarhouse labourer" in both the 1891 and 1901 censuses. I don't have his first marriage certificate.

Kind Regards
Stewart

P.S. James's third wife, Flora Brown, was Archie McLean and Annie Brown's grandaughter.

[Gadget]

Hi Stewart

SP are showing a death for Sara Jane O'Hara, aged 32, other name Winton,  in 1889 - Greenock Old, Renfrew.


Gadget

[elaine447]

Hi Stewart and Gadget
if you scroll down to page 5 on inverclyde site
Sarah Jane's death is on there
and if you check out the names beginning with A
there are references to James Ahara on there
Elaine

http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/GetAsset.aspx?id=fAA1ADYANQA4AHwAfABGAGEAbABzAGUAfAB8ADAAfAA1

[Gadget]

Hi Elaine 


Thanks for that - I got the pdf up but them it all went blank and now I just get blank pages 

added - now it's come back 

[sjm21560]

Hi Elaine and Gadget. Many thanks for your information. I've seen the Watt Library BMD Index which was very helpful. Sadly a number of his children are listed under Ahara, but the "missing link" back to Ireland and his parents remains elusive! 

Thank you both for taking the time and trouble to follow up my post. Much appreciated! 
Stewart

[jonn]

Hello Stewart,

This looks like your family 1881 census.

10 Nile Street. West Greenock.

James Ohare, Head, Sugar House Labourer, M. age 25 years, M. born Ireland,
Sarah Ohare, Wife, M. age 25 years, F. born Ireland,
Margaret Ohare, Daur, age 2 years, F. born Greenock, Renfrewshire,
Hugh Ohare, brother, Sugar House Labourer, U. age 22 years, M. born Ireland,
Joseph Ohare, brother, Sugar House Labourer, U. age 20 years, M. born Ireland.


Regards,
Jonn.