Re: Arthur Family, Aghadowey, County Derry

[RDAllan]

Hi All,
Thank you for this great service called “RootsChat” I look forwards to learning much here.

I would like to ask for some help to trace my Great-Great Grand-Mothers Family please..
My Great-Great Grand-Mothers name-:  Sarah Jane Arthur B: 1858 – D: 1881, Cathcart, Scotland

Her parents were James Arthur B: Circa 1832 and
Margaret Anne Savage B: Circa 1832 (noted as a weaver)
They were married in Coleraine, 23rd August 1852, they both seem to come from Aghadowey
in County Derry, they had a son named
Robert, Born circa 1853, although I cannot find any birth information for him.
Then the family immigrated to Cathcart, Scotland around 1855.

James Arthur’s parents were John Arthur (bleachfield worker) and Sarah Reid
and Margaret Anne Savage’s parents were Robert Savage and Elizabeth Murphy,
although I can’t seem to find anything about this generation, I wonder if they had other children and where they might have lived in Aghadowey?

Any help, or information on how to look would be greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks

Kind Regards
Rod, Melbourne, Australia

[eileenwilson]

Civil registration for births and deaths did not begin in Ireland until 1864.  Non Catholic marriages were registered as of 1845 so you won't find a birth record for the child born in 1853.

Marriage in 1852:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1852/09427/5415027.pdf

Indicates James was from Ballinrees, Aghadowey, and Margaret Ann was from Knockaduff, Aghadowey. (neighbouring townlands)

https://www.townlands.ie/londonderry/coleraine/aghadowey/aghadowney/ballinrees/

Marriage of a Hugh Savage, a possible brother to Margaret Anne:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1846/09306/5369333.pdf

[Elwyn Soutter]

This is the only Arthur household in the parish of Aghadowey in the 1831 census. John Arthur with a household consisting of 4 males and 2 females. All Presbyterian. Living in Crevolea which is a quarter of a mile west of Ballinrees.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1831/Londonderry/Coleraine/Aghadowey/Crevolea/18/

You’ll find 6 Savage households including 2 in Knockaduff, headed by Hugh & Samuel. No Robert. All but one of the 6 families was Presbyterian. One RC.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1831/Londonderry/Coleraine/Aghadowey/Knockaduff/13/

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1831/Londonderry/Coleraine/Aghadowey/Knockaduff/16/

Knowing the family denomination is relevant if you want to try and find their baptisms. The relevant records are probably not on-line and would involve someone looking them up in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast.

Death registration started in Ireland in 1864. A John Arthur died 18.10.1867 aged 94 and another John Arthur on 22.9.1868 aged 70. Both events registered in the Aghadowey sub district. You might want to look at those. They are not on-line free yet. You can view the original certificates on-line on the GRONI website, using the “search registrations” option. You will need to open an account and buy some credits. It costs £2.50 (sterling) to a view a certificate:

https://geni.nidirect.gov.uk

[aghadowey]

Margaret Ann Savage's parents were Robert Savage (born c1805) & Elizabeth "Betsy" Murphy (born c1811).
Their son-
James Savage (c1830 Ire.-25 May 1907 Dunbarton, Glasgow) m.(27 May 1854 Ballymoney Registry Office) Elizabeth Burns (c1838-1864); m.(9 Oct.1866 Connor COI, Co.Antrim) Matilda Savage (c1840-1886 Maryhill, Glasgow), daughter of George Savage & Mary O’Hara.
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1854/09463/5429054.pdf
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1866/11548/8247722.pdf
1. James Savage (6 Dec.1864 Cathcart-10 Dec.1864).
2. William Savage (6 Dec.1864 Cathcart-8 Nov.1931) m. Margaret Getty.

I have a copy of Mary Ann Arthur's death certificate which I can transcribe if you don't already have it.

[aghadowey]

James Arthur's father was John Arthur, a bleacher. He had a sister-
Martha Arthur m.(18 Aug.1865 Aghadowey Presbyterian Church) William Falconer/ Faulkner, Cullycapple.
Aghadowey Presbyterian Church, 18 Aug.1865, William Falconder, labourer, Cullycapple, son of James Falconder, bleacher, to Martha Arthur, Cullycapple, dau. of John Arthur, bleacher. Witnesses: William Heaney, Hunter Stuart. Note: the witnesses were the church sexton & teacher of the school next to the church (I call them perpetual witnesses as they were at many of the wedding in this period)
1. John Falconer (9 Apr.1866 Cullycapple).
Bapt. 3 June 1866 Aghadowey Presbyterian Church.
2. ? Elizabeth Falconer (25 July 1868 Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland).
3. ? James Falconer (26 June 1871 Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland).
4. ? Annie Falconer (2 Dec.1874 Falkirk, Stirling, Scotland).

[aghadowey]

Death registration started in Ireland in 1864. A John Arthur died 18.10.1867 aged 94 and another John Arthur on 22.9.1868 aged 70. Both events registered in the Aghadowey sub district. You might want to look at those. They are not on-line free yet. You can view the original certificates on-line on the GRONI website, using the “search registrations” option. You will need to open an account and buy some credits. It costs £2.50 (sterling) to a view a certificate:

The John Arthur who died 18 Oct.1867 was at Mullamore.

[jrn12_scotland]

Hi L, just to let you know, the daughter of wee 'Sammy' Arthur (born in Coleraine to James Arthur and Sarah Elizabeth Ramsey) and Annie Grouquet Withnall i.e. Jean Stoddart McKenzie nee Arthur (born 1927 in Hamilton, Scotland) sadly passed away on the 17 March 2021 in Glasgow. Her husband Kenneth McKenzie (born 1925 in Auchinleck, Ayrshire) also passed away on the 6 April 2021.

I have discovered more information on 'wee Sammy' in relation to the WWI and some photographs as well if you want to contact me,

John

[aghadowey]

Hi L, just to let you know, the daughter of wee 'Sammy' Arthur (born in Coleraine to James Arthur and Sarah Elizabeth Ramsey) and Annie Grouquet Withnall i.e. Jean Stoddart McKenzie nee Arthur (born 1927 in Hamilton, Scotland) sadly passed away on the 17 March 2021 in Glasgow. Her husband Kenneth McKenzie (born 1925 in Auchinleck, Ayrshire) also passed away on the 6 April 2021.
I have discovered more information on 'wee Sammy' in relation to the WWI and some photographs as well if you want to contact me,
John

Had heard that Annie and her husband died a few years ago but would certainly be interesting in any information of the Arthur family. Will send PM with my email address.