Belfast Addresses 1938

[TMcCrea]

This morning I was searching info on my father's half sister, Phoebe McCrea  (b 1906 in Ballyclare) and found that she made a trip back to Ireland in 1938. The incoming passenger list shows that she was to visit 27 Lawrence St., Belfast. Is there a resource that might help identify the resident at that time?

Phoebe was born out of wedlock to Mary (Minnie) Beggs and took my grandfather's name when he and Minnie were married three months after her birth. My thought is that she was visiting either McCrea or Beggs family members. I have no info on my G Grand parents after the census of 1911 when they were still in Ballyclare so I am not sure who she would have visited.

Any help would be appreciated.

[valeriekerr11]

http://www.belfastforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,281.0.html

[TMcCrea]

valeriekerr11 ,

Thanks for the link

[aghadowey]

In 1911 a Smyth family was at that address-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Cromac/Lawrence_Street/165320

1938 passenger list says nearest friend/relative was Mrs. Phoebe Jefferson of 27 Lawrence St. Belfast which ties in with this-
"Jefferson William John of 27 Lawrence Street Belfast retired mercantile clerk died 30 July 1943 Probate Belfast 20 September to Joseph Millar Allen solicitor. Effects £1148 10s. 3d."

Here's the family in 1911- William John & Phoebe married 6 years (note visitor Richard Belshaw):
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Island_Folly/Aghnalough/199179

Marriage of William John Jefferson & Phoebe Belshaw- Oct./Dec.1904 Belfast registration district volume 1 page 527 (from another source her father was James)

Belshaw family in 1901-
www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Court_Ward/Lonsdale_Street/965345

[TMcCrea]

Thanks for this info, it adds some interesting twists to what I have.

The birth of my Aunt Phoebe to Minnie Beggs was attended by a Phoebe Gibson, the person for whom she is assumed to be named. Minnie would have been 23 years old in 1906 and Phoebe Gibson, 35. This seems to fit with Phoebe Belshaw, just do not know how to rectify the surnames unless there was an error on Aunt Phoebe's birth record.

It is interesting that a Smyth family lived at 27 Lawrence St. in 1911 as I have been trying to connect the family of William McCrea & Jane Mackey to mine. William and Jane had a daughter, Agnes, who married a James Smyth. In 1901, Agnes' sister, Sarah is in their home. In 1911, Sarah is listed as head of household which includes James Smyth and two sons, four Spence children listed as nieces and nephews ( Sarah's sister Mary Jane married a William Spence), and Archie McCrea listed as nephew. I have not explored the Smyth family so I do not know if James had a brother named Albert who may have lived at 27 Lawrence St. According to his marriage record, James' father was Robert and his bride's witness was an Elizabeth Smyth.

What makes this more interesting is that Sarah McCrea, Agnes McCrea and Mary Ann McCrea are all daughters of William McCrea & Jane Mackey also the parents of Robert McCrea whom I have traced to Wichita, Kansas and believe to have traveled with my Great Uncle, William McCrea in 1902. I am certain that the people are related, just have not found the connection yet.

Thanks for these new pieces to the puzzle.

[aghadowey]

I don't think that Smyth family are connected to your James Smyth but just in case-

Albert Alexander Smyth of 27 Lawrence St. died 1 May 1911 (luckily he hung around until the census) and was buried City Cemetery (A2 357). Wife (?) Margaret Jane Smyth died 22 July 1904 buried in same plot but address was 4 Ventry St. so the family hadn't been living at 27 Lawrence St. much before 1911.

PRONI Will Extracts- "Administration of the Estate of Albert Alexander Smyth late of 27 Lawrence Street Belfast Foreman who died 1 May 1911 granted at Belfast to Margaret Shirra Smyth Spinster. Effects £513"

[shirleyc153]

The Smith family living in Lawrence St in 1911 emigrated to USA after the death of their father Albert Alexander Smith.