Margaret Seymour

[JulieTawse]

Hi

I am looking for birth details of Margaret Seymour, needlewoman, who married James Walker, farm labourer of Co.Tyrone, in 1845 (Registration District Clogher) and emigrated around 1848, settling in Jamberoo NSW. This month, I found their monuments in the Cof E section of the local cemetery.

On her NSW Death Certificate her parents are reported as being Harper and Jane Seymour, farmers.

From dates on her marriage and death certificates, she was born in Omagh in early 1800s. I wish to find dates and, hopefully, discover her mother's maiden name.

I would also like to find reference to Harper Seymour. I have checked some indexes for the Monaghan region online but have drawn a blank.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Julie

[aghadowey]

The marriage certificate for Margaret Seymour should list her residence at time of marriage, father's name and occupation and names of two witnesses (who might be relatives) as well as where the marriage took place (since marriages usually took place in bride's church this might help locate the church her family attended).
If you don't have the marriage certificate that should probably be your next step.

I checked civil registration index (registration of deaths started in 1864) for 'harper seymour' but there's no death listed- wither he died before 1864 or is listed under another name (the person registering the death may have been mistaken).
http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails&c=fs%3A1408347

I also searched Griffith's Valuation for 'seymour' in 'tyrone' and only 1 listed- a Thomas Seymour in Ardstraw parish.
www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml

Have a look at Introduction to Irish Records and My Ancestor came from Ireland - where do I start?.

[hallmark]

Yes she was born 10th May 1818 daughter of Harper and Jane Seymour, but not in Omagh! (She had 2 children... 1846 Anne Jane and  1848  John in Ireland.) Don't have a marriage for her, Jane was buried 20th April 1847 in St Salvator's Church, don't know when Harper died.

They lived on main road midway between Emyvale in Co. Monaghan and Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone at a place called Knockronaghan. That's really all I know but you can PM me if you have queries.

[JulieTawse]

   Thank you both so much. I was very excited to get answers.

'Hallmark', thanks to you, now I have a birth date for Margaret, a specific dwelling place, as well as birth years for her two children born in Ireland and her mother's burial in a Presbyterian church.

Margaret had five sons in Jamberoo, NSW. The eldest was also called John, which I find a bit weird. The family became very successful dairy farmers; and sons and grandsons also successful in professions such as teaching (Senior Inspector of Schools), law & medicine.

I found a Civil Marriage Certificate extract for Margaret SEYMOUR and James WALKER,  in Parish/District of Dungannon, Co Tyrone.  The address for both is given as Aughnacloy. [James was born in Aughnacloy to John WALKER and Isabelle (Bell) IRVINE according to his Death Certificate.] Both fathers  are recorded as being farmers. At the bottom of the certificate is typed: "Aughnacloy or Carnteel Parish C.O.I." I'm not sure why this is different from the top where it states "Dungannon". I also don't know what C.O.I. means.

The ship's records state for both of them that parents were "both dead". This explains not finding Harper in later indexes; however there may be relatives such as surviving uncles and brothers. There are some more SEYMOUR  listings under Co Monaghan.  'Hallmark' has indicated a link between the two counties for this family.

Also, the ship's records stated Margaret's Native Place and County as "Omagh - Co.Monaghan", which is why I thought she was born in Omagh. Her death certificate only mentions county. I suppose she may have been born in one place and moved somewhere else she identified as 'native place'. It just goes to show you can't always trust the records and must cross reference and think laterally.

There is a John and a James WALKER in Co Tyrone on the Flax Growers Index in late 1700s. I suspect, but will not assume, they are related to Margaret's James.

I was interested in Jane's burial in a Presbyterian church. I have been assuming C. of Ireland/England. Oh yes, assumptions again. lol.

Once again thank you both for your help  It is a fascinating meander back in time.

Cheers,
Julie

[JulieTawse]

I just checked back over James WALKER's NSW Death Certificate (informant was second youngest son, Robert) for father's occupation. It states "Weaver", whereas the Irish Civil Marriage Certificate states "Farmer".

Could this mean John both farmed flax and wove linen? Or could it mean Robert got his wires crossed in recall of family history, possibly John's father rather than John? Does anyone have a sound understanding of social history in regard to the linen industry of 1700-1800s?

Julie

[hallmark]

He grew Flax and also weaved it as many others did, it was a huge industry. What was he to do once the crop was harvested? Linen was made by hand and it was like a production line and labour intensive.

I suppose she may have been born in one place and moved somewhere else she identified as 'native place'. You suppose correct especially for a woman who got married, (but not always). Native Place and County as "Omagh - Co.Monaghan" is contradictory as Omagh is not in Monaghan anyway and never was.

C of I = Church of Ireland

I think my ggg gran could have been her aunt.

This might be your Walkers....

[JulieTawse]

Thanks 'Hallmark', your comments about flax farmers/linen weavers clarifies that side of things as does C.O.I.

The ship records are written in that lovely old script that can be difficult to read. On close inspection of what I thought at first to be 'Omagh' (creating some considerable confusion), I now think it may be 'Dunagh' since this appears in other family records... now spelled 'Donagh'?   

I wonder if William is James' brother. The name has been carried through in that case. However, I am baffled by the death date, 1868, since ship record states James' parents as 'both dead'. I know records can be incorrect for any number of reasons but was not expecting it. I suppose they relied on passenger declarations. This then raises questions about why such declarations may have been incorrect. Or may it have been a slack way of completing records if information was not gathered at the time? Or is this monument simply for a different John Walker?

Thank you for more leads to follow, and a monument photo if this is the same John Walker
We may have connections here, at the gggg grandparent level for both of us if your ggg gran was Margaret's aunt.

Cheers,
Julie

[hallmark]

I hoped the townland on g/stone might have been a clue for you... if it doesn't mean anything to you then just ignore it.

With Harper as a Christian name it does suggest a possibility of a previous Seymour/Harper marriage... just a thought!

[JulieTawse]

Hi Hallmark,

It took me awhile to get the name, Clontyfallow, because of missing letter _  and Google didn't recognise it! The name didn't spring to mind, but that's not surprising because I know so little about John. Clontyfallow is in the general vicinity of where his son was born and his age at death seems to fit other dates. However, the date of death is after "Sea" passenger listing recorded him as dead. Nevertheless I should keep an open mind in case that record was incorrect.


Thank you again.

Regards,
Julie