James Magee b1881 Co Antrim died 1926 Newry Workhouse.

[liscoole]

Hi
I am trying to find a marriage of James Magee who was born John Thomas Magee January 1881 to Benjamin Magee and Eliza Jane McConnell Co Antrim.
They were church of Ireland, however, many many years ago a now deceased relative told me that family lore was he had married outside his religion and been thereafter treated like an outsider by his family.
I did manage to find his death certificate. He died 29th March 1926 in Newry Workhouse, of bronchitis.
His marital status was “Married” and address as Downshire Court, Water St Newry. This is how I discovered he was known as James rather than John Thomas. I found a newspaper clipping inserted by his sister in his memory on the anniversary of his death where he is named as James.  I have also found an entry from a historical edition of Newry Journal giving his address as 9 Downshire Court Newry in 1917.
I would just love to know who he married and if the Family Lore was true.

[aghadowey]

Where was he in 1901 and 1911? listed as married or single?
You should be able to view the marriage up until 1921 if it took place in Northern Ireland-
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/civil-search.jsp
If it was in N.I. 1922-1926 then you'll need to either view on GRONI (register then purchase a few credits) or view it in Belfast at GRONI or PRONI.
Luckily father's first name (Benjamin) isn't too common but you'll need to check Magee, McGee, etc.

[aghadowey]

Are these the parents Benjamin and Elizabeth Jane?
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Whitehouse/Maple_Street/191534/
Says 5 children/4 living and there are 2 children in household- Margaret and Samuel.
1901 only 3 children in household-
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Whitehouse/Cogrey_Village/988610/
Think deceased child was Benjamin?

[liscoole]

Hi
Thanks for your replies.
I haven’t managed to find James in any Uk census sadly.
Yes, Benjamin died aged 15 from TB.
I also can’t find any marriage in Ireland.

[scotmum]

Greetings, Lis.

There was a Mrs Maggie Magee who lived opposite number 2 Downshire Court in 1921, according to a court report in the Frontier Sentinel of 9th July that year. The James Magee, also mentioned, apparently had a wooden leg. They had apparently lived there for 12 years. She was a Catholic, he a Protestant.

Other reports of a Margaret Magee, Downshire Court, involving drink and a donkey.

[shanreagh]

Not sure if this will be anything related

Antrim 1901 census for a James Magee in Windsor in Antrim. 

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Windsor/Charleyville_Avenue/965782/


It's not. This James was married to an Elizabeth with children Nora and Arthur and the family was CofI

Not sure when the change from John Thomas to James occurred.
A John Thomas had a meaning back then but not before 1860 of penis. So much so that my grandfather changed his forenames, by usage from John Thomas to Thomas McLean, well I guess not so much my grandfather but certainly my grandmother and mother had polite shivers when saying these names.......

Do you know what occupation James had?

[liscoole]

Greetings, Lis.

There was a Mrs Maggie Magee who lived opposite number 2 Downshire Court in 1921, according to a court report in the Frontier Sentinel of 9th July that year. The James Magee, also mentioned, apparently had a wooden leg. They had apparently lived there for 12 years. She was a Catholic, he a Protestant.

Other reports of a Margaret Magee, Downshire Court, involving drink and a donkey.

Greetings to you Scotmum. Nice to hear from you again. I hope all is well with you.
This sounds like a fascinating story! A wooden leg? A donkey?!!  Please do give more details!
You say that they say they’ve been there for 12 years. I cannot see any Magee’s in Downshire Court in 1911 census. There is however a James and Margaret McCann. 
Would love to know more details from the Frontier Sentinel reports.
Many thanks

[liscoole]

Not sure if this will be anything related

Antrim 1901 census for a James Magee in Windsor in Antrim. 

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Windsor/Charleyville_Avenue/965782/


It's not. This James was married to an Elizabeth with children Nora and Arthur and the family was CofI

Not sure when the change from John Thomas to James occurred.
A John Thomas had a meaning back then but not before 1860 of penis. So much so that my grandfather changed his forenames, by usage from John Thomas to Thomas McLean, well I guess not so much my grandfather but certainly my grandmother and mother had polite shivers when saying these names.......

Do you know what occupation James had?

Thanks for your reply.
Indeed, I did not know that John Thomas had that connotation way back then! That explains the name change I suppose. 
His death certificate says he was a labourer. He died of bronchitis in Newry workhouse in 1926.

[scotmum]

As you say James died 26th March 1926, the following is unlikely to be him, given it was reported about a month later, but adding here anyhow, just in case, as you mentioned Downshire Court was on Water Street, and given my previous post re a Maggie/Margaret.

In the Frontier Sentinel 24 April 1926, there is mention that the remains of a James Magee of Lower Water Street, Newry, were removed for internment in the Old Chapel cemetery. Chief mourners being a Margt Magee (widow) and an Elizabeth C Magee (daughter). No dates given for death or removal.

The Sentinel was published weekly, on a Saturday.

Might be worth a quick check for other records of Magee on Lower Water Street, to see if this can definitely be ruled out.

Would have a look, but need to be somewhere shortly. I have sent a PM re the reports in Sentinel.