Albert Robinson

[Ardri]

I am trying to find out some information on Albert Robinson born 23th November 1885 in Belfast and married 1912.  Albert is mentioned on my mum's birth certificate in 1917 as being a soldier in France.  He then seems to be untraceable.  I am his granddaughter and trying to trace a record of his death.  His father was Joseph who also appears to have been in the Royal Irish Rifles in 1911 and his mother was Catherine Reid.  Both parents were born in Londonderry.

[aghadowey]

Welcome to Roostchat. Just a bit of background information in case there are any clues there-

1901 census- father Joseph listed as commission agent:
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Smithfield/Mary_Street/952891

1911 census- same Joseph Robinson in 1911 as traveller?
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/St__Anne_s_Ward/Waring_Street/134012

Added-

My great grandmother Catherine Robinson lived at number 55 with her sons Thomas, Joseph and Albert.  They are listed there in the 1911 census but I am not sure when they moved out.

[aghadowey]

Found Catherine and family in 1911- Balkan St. not Raglan St.:
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Falls__Belfast_/Balkan_Street/180420
Children in household are Joseph Edward, John and Thomas (not Albert), Catherine married 31 years and had 10 children but sadly only 4 living.

[Ardri]

I think the Joseph Robinson listed as a traveller is the same Joseph as he is listed as married as is Catherine in the 1911 census- I looked up the address in Waring St and it seems to be the headquarters for the Royal Irish Rifles so I take it he was joining the army at that point - but he would have been over 60 - would this be usual?

Also I didn't find Albert on the 1911 census but as he was my grandfather I know he existed - I think he might have joined the army but when he married in 1912 he was listed as a labourer.

Thanks for your help - it was Balkan Street not Raglan St.

[aghadowey]

The 1911 address is for the Salvation Army Hotel not RIR- Joseph listed as traveller (as in commercial traveller)- not sure why he wasn't at home with wife and family but perhaps they were separated.
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai001401127/

When Albert married in 1912 the certificate should have listed his father's occupation.

[Ardri]

I thought when I put in the address in Waring Street it was an army building but the Salvation Army is very strange as Catherine was still living at their address in Balkan Street with their sons and a niece and grand niece.  They were in their 50s and 60s so it seems strange they would seperate at that point.  I can't find Albert - he was the one I initially tried to find but accessing army records is very difficult.  Thanks for the help.

[aghadowey]

Remember that the census only shows where a person was on 1 particular night and doesn't mean they lived there. However, it could be that the couple lived apart (divorce was not an option for most couples).

People in institutions (barracks, hospitals, etc.) will be listed in 1911 census under their initials rather than full name.

[Ardri]

I will get the marriage certificate for Albert and Mary and hope it throws a light on Joseph - they married in 1912 so that is after the 1911 census.
I am also looking for a brother of Mary (Tohill) who was called Peter and was born on 18th January 1878.  He is in the 1901 census but not in the 1911 census.  Through family sources I heard that he had been killed in a cart accident and died young so I think he died somewhere between 1901 and 1911.  The only Peter Tohill I can find died in the workhouse in 1903.  The cart involved in the accident was owned by a senior cleric so I am going to try trawling the newspapers of the day.  Tohill is a difficult name to research as it has numerous spellings - Tohall, Touchal,  Tochal, Tohil etc.

[Ardri]

Marriage certificate came in for Mary and Albert - states his address as 55 Balkan Street and hers as 82 Divis Street.  States Albert is a labourer and Joseph is father and also a labourer.  No more information.  I am going to PRONI this week - is there anything you might suggest that I should look for - I am going to get the marriage certificate for Catherine Reid and Joseph Robinson but I don't think I could get death certs as I have no idea when they died or where.