THOMPSON - George and Rosey (McClements) of Dungiven

[jewell]

Hello Hallmark:
First let me say thank you for taking the time to looking up information on the Thompson family.  I realize there are discrepancies with the ages for George between the 1901 and 1911 census but so often this field cannot be relied upon as being the gospel truth.  Taking into consideration all the other details that are listed on both census ie other family names, approx. ages and given names I am fairly confident that I have the correct George Thompson.  I do already have a copy of the parish record for the marriage of George and Rosey but do appreciate the added information you posted on acquiring a formal certificate.  The information you listed for Rose Thompson re her death, I have already checked into and, unfortunately, it is not her.  I will continue to push onward in the hopes that all the pieces will eventually come together and again, thank you for all the effort you put into my request posting.  It is people such as yourself that prove that family tree researchers are a special group of folk.  Have a great day...Julia

[hallmark]

So you know who their father was, possibly townland, so  did any siblings apply for Pension?

[jewell]

Hello again.  In reply to your question, I honestly do not know.  I have not come across any information that confirms or denies that pensions were applied for by the siblings.  Sorry I can't give you more information than that.  I do know that William, the one son, did leave Ireland about 1916 and settled in Scotland and eventually emigrated to Canada.  Beyond that I have no idea what the siblings did or what they may have applied for. 
Julia

[hallmark]

If they did you'd get 1851 Census extract for them.....

[jewell]

Thanks Hallmark...appreciate the information....

[bettina53]

Have sent you a PM

[Frank Thompson]

Hello Julia ,
                 You are a relative of mine  . My name is Frank Thompson( Francis Gerald Thompson) to be
precise . I am the grandson of John Thompson (the youngest son of George Thompson & Rosanne McLemont . John Thompson left the family home in 162 , Main Street , Dungiven at the same time as his elder brother William . They apparently thought they were going to Canada or the USA but ended -up in the Port of Stranrear, Scotland .
                   The story is they cycled to the Industrial town of Coatbridge , Lanarkshire(near Glasgow) .

Coatbridge , at that time , was a hive of industry ( Coal / Iron / Steel ) so they probably headed there looking for employment . John (my grandfather) initially found employment in the Iron Foundries , then as a Police Officer in Coatbridge Burgh Police . William found work as a farm labourer on a farm in Calderbank , Coatbridge . Where the farmer and his family were so impressed by his work that the farmer offered him promotion . William rejected the offer and the next we hear  of him is working on a farm in Balbie , Fife . He later also worked on a farm in St. Andrews, Fife before heading to Govan , Glasgow . From Glasgow , he and his son headed for Canada .
               So William , for some reason was constantly on the move and the story that he was wanted by the authorities in Northern Ireland ,was probably true . I , like yourself , have researched our family history so we could probably help each other . If you are able , please contact me through this post and we will exchange what we both know .
It's great to have found you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Lots of love (Your cousin) ,
Frank T.

[BeckyY]

Hello,

I have been doing some family research and happened to come across this post. I am almost positive that the William you are referring to was my great grandfather. To confirm, he was married to Annie and they had 8 kids? They ended up in Brantford, Ontario (that's where I grew up). I would love to connect if anyone has any information they would like to share. I haven't gotten very far with this side of the family, but am eager to learn more. This website seems like a great resource. I was led here after finding my great grandfather's obituary which listed Dungiven as his birth place. Thank you!

[Elwyn Soutter]

Likely death of Rose Thompson in 1890:

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1890/06092/4738423.pdf

There’s a possible death for George Thompson in Limavady registration district (but Dungiven sub district) on 4th Nov 1922 aged 79. That death is pay to view on the GRONI website.

https://geni.nidirect.gov.uk/

Births I can see for George and Rose’s children (all near Dungiven):

Ellen 18.12.1873
James 16.5.1876
George 1.11.1878
William 1.11.1878
John 22.4.1883


Ellen here:

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1873/03177/2165442.pdf

John here:

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1883/02740/2007413.pdf

The discrepancy in George’s age between the 1901 and 1911 census is fairly easy to explain. The likely reason was that the old age pension was introduced in 1909 for people aged 70 and over. Documentary proof of age was required.  Applicants knew that the authorities sometimes relied on the censuses as a means of verifying ages. Consequently, after 1909, a lot of people suddenly reached 70 or over.

George Thompson’s father was John and was dead by 1873:

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1873/11260/8129993.pdf

Both George and Rose lived in Gortaclare townland when they married. Neither surname is listed there in Griffiths Valuation (1858) so the families probably moved around a bit as was common with labourers then.