handwritten note

[Ruskie]

1801 to 1899 is a long time. 

I think “Belle something” sounds like a ship as Mckha suggested. I am trying to think of a possible time when this person may have written this note and what it might relate to. War time/a conflict came to mind as a reason that a ship may have been lost (but of course that may not be the case).

[Ruskie]

A word I considered previously was ”Penitentiary” bit I didn’t think it quite fits with the letters in the note, nor do I know if it is a word which would have been used. Does it fit with Belle. I don’t know.
Might it fit with your ancestor’s occupation? Not sure. 

[deeerdre]

Yes Ruskie,  I agree.  If it's the right Luke, he was a famine relief officer around the time of and after the famine.  Perhaps he travelled on a ship before that...  Why would he send word to say he lost a ship???

Thanks,

Deirdre

[deeerdre]

I have a subscription with Britishnewspaper archives.  I'll try a few things with "Belle ......".  Thanks a million.

Deirdre

[Ruskie]

I tried a couple of google searches but they turned nothing up. You might have better luck with the newspapers.

I hope you solve it. 

[deeerdre]

Thanks very much, Ruskie.  I'll keep you posted if I find anything.  Have a good day.

Deirdre

[Ruskie]

Yes, please let me know how you get on. 

[deeerdre]

Hi again,
No luck on news archives with a ship "Belle ....".  However, you came up with the word "penitentiary" - I tried it out preceded by "Bill" as in act, law, etc.  and a few "penitentiary" associated with "bill" came up in the 1842-1844 period as regards the Penal Laws Repeal Bill.   Could it be "bill penitentiary"  Strange order of words, though...
Deirdre

[deeerdre]

looking at the note again, it doesn't look like "penitentiary".