Hillicks help needed

[Steven1314]

Hi tracing another branch of my tree and have got stuck.

Trying to trace some more information on William Hillicks. I have him on the 1871 census in Govan in Partick in Glasgow. On 10/10/1871 he marries a Bessy Kerr but she must die early because in 1876 he marries a Jane Stevenson. I have him on the 1881 census and 1891 census and 1901 census and his death is recorded as 2/11/1920 aged 79. I therefore place his birth at circa 1840. His parents are listed as James Hillicks and Ann Matthews.

However the trail dies as I cannot find him on the 1861 census, 1851 census or 1841 census or a record of his birth. His second wife Jane Stevenson's birth is listed as Ireland in the various censuses and William's birth place is given as Greenock Renfrewshire.

Can anyone help me. It is an unusual name mostly listed as Hillicks apart from 1891 when listed as Hillocks. The only thing I can think of is that perhaps the family came from Ireland. I cannot find his parents on the earlier censuses.

Thanks Steven

[CaroleW]

Hi

I therefore place his birth at circa 1840

The 1871 shows his birthyear as 1851

1881 - 1850 Greenock

1891 = 1848 Johnstone

1901 - 1848  Greenock

Have a look at the 1851 entry for William HILICK b Johnstone 1847 parents James and Rosannah (could be known as Ann)

[Steven1314]

Thanks Carol will check it out via Scotlands People.

His age on his death certificate is given as 79 in 1920 so thats where my estimate of his dob was 1840.  But your are right looking at the various censuses they say 53 in 1901 and 43 in 1891 etc.  I cannot find him at all in 1861 or 1851 or even his father James in any of the earlier censuses.  I am beginning to think perhaps they came from Ireland as James second wife Jane is noted in the census as birthplace Ireland.

Steven

[ev]

hi all  

going with carole's thinking there is on the catholic parish register on scotlandspeople -
hellick , william
father james
mother rose motheus
16th july 1846(birth or baptism)
greenock , st marys

ev

[MonicaL]

Hi Steve

This is the 1851 census entry that Carole is suggesting may be your William with family - all the children showing as born in Johnstone:

James Hilick 28, general lab., b. Armagh, Ireland
Rosannah Hilick 25 b. Antrim, Ireland
Cather Hilick 8
Jas Hilick 6
William Hilick 4
John Hilick 1
Susan Hilick 1

Address: High Street, Johnstone, Paisley Abbey

What was the occupation showing on William's marriage entries for his father James? Have you tried looking for death entries for parents (wives are always easier as you can search with both married and maiden names).

Monica

[MonicaL]

Could this be William with his mother's family for 1861:

Janet Mathew 46, Washerwoman b. Ireland
William Mathew 78, father, lab., b. Ireland
William Hillock 14, boarder, Cotton Mill Hand b. Johnstone
Patrick Denny 46 boarder
Wm John Shaw 30 boarder

Address: 10 Rankine St, Johnstone, Renfrewshire

Monica

[MonicaL]

I wonder if William's father James died and mother Roseann married. There is this IGI marriage showing:

ROSANNAH MATHIES and JOHN QUAIL    
Marriage: 03 NOV 1858  Abbey (Paisley), Renfrew

And a likely entry for 1861:

John Quail 40
Rosan Quail 35
Jane Hillicks 16...I think this might be James on the original, showing as step son, Cotton Factry Hand
Catherine Hillicks 18, Cotton Factry Hand
Mary Hillicks 9
Stwart Hillicks 9
John Simet 34, lodger
Jane C Harra 40 lodger

Address: Houstown Sqr, Johnstone

Everyone down as born in Johnstone and the Hillick children showing as step children to John Quail.

Monica

[Steven1314]

Thanks guys for all your help looks like I am getting somewhere now with your help.

Monica will get some credits from Scotlands People later and get that 1851 census downloaded.  You sometimes forget there are some many spelling variations, I have been focusing on Hillicks and Hillocks but didn't try Hilick.

With regard to occupation of William's father James it seems to be general labourer.

What also makes me think this is looking good is the fact that Monica mentioned that had William's father died and on both William's marriage certificates both parents are listed as deceased.

The Irish connection seems to have confirmed everything.  No one in my family thought we had roots there.  Most seemed to be in Scotland with my grandfather on my fathers side coming from London.  The Hillicks line has been my final side to trace via my paternal grandmother and the first link I found to Ireland was William Hillicks 2nd wife Jane Stevenson whose place of birth was given as Ireland.

Will check out all the information and let you know but thanks

Steven

[MonicaL]

If it does turn out to be right entries, it was lucky that the 1851 mentioned specifically where James and Roseann were from in Ireland. Most of the time, all you get is Ireland all the way through the records - which is no use at all as Ireland is hard enough to research in this period anyway!

Given that Ev has found a potential reference to a Roman Catholic baptism, you will be unlikely to find any Old Parish Register entries on IGI or SP for them pre 1855 as these relate to the established Church of Scotland, ie presbyterian.

You might want to check on SP for further entries on the family on the recently released Roman Catholic baptism database (RC marriages are also due to be released soon by SP).

Monica