Author Topic: Robbs in & around Lisburn  (Read 820 times)

Offline aghadowey

  • RootsChat Honorary
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 52,562
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #9 on: Monday 21 April 25 16:05 BST (UK) »
Found quite a bit of information but not sure how some of it fits so a few questions-

1) did your Thomas Robb die in Melbourne, Australia in 1886?
2) Did Thomas' widow Mary (McNeight) Robb stay in Australia?
3) Did daughter Jane Anna marry? (if so, who was her husband?)
4) Did Thomas and Mary have a daughter Elizabeth?

In case you think this later information isn't important just trust me and I will explain everything which ties it all together.
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!

Offline tejjy

  • RootsChat Extra
  • **
  • Posts: 68
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #10 on: Monday 21 April 25 22:40 BST (UK) »
sharp questions!

A Thomas Robb died in Melbourne ('sanguineous apoplexy') in 1886; i think he is my man, but the inquest evidence is circumstantial. There was an Elizabeth Robb born in Smythesdale, parents Thomas & Mary. Thomas, Mary and John and Jane Anna came to Australia in 1861 and went home with Elizabeth in 1874. I have always assumed that Thomas came back to Australia post-1874 (but i can't find the ship). So far as i know Jane Anna married a Thomas Moore, but i only know that from the archives. The 'personal' knowledge the family has includes an 'Aunt Jane' but not her husband. John Robb talked about being in Australia, but no-one remembers him talking about his parents.

(There was at least one other Thomas Robb in Ballarat at the same time, but he tended to use his middle initial 'L')

i have DNA connecting my father (John Robb's grandson) to descendants of McNeights and Elizabeth Robb. In case you like pictures, attached is (we think) Thomas & Mary in Ballarat.

Offline aghadowey

  • RootsChat Honorary
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 52,562
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #11 on: Tuesday 22 April 25 09:45 BST (UK) »
I can fill in a few gaps for you. The Thomas Robb died 1886 is your ancestor so I'll start with him.

Thomas Robb (c1825-19 Jan.1886 Melbourne, Vic.), painter, m.(1853 Saintfield COI) Anna Cunningham; m.(1858 Magheragall) Mary Ferguson McNeight/McNight (c1837-11 Feb.1911 Belfast)
? 1852 Belfast Directory- Lisburn: Robb, Mr., painter, Railway Street
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1853/09452/5424923.pdf (father Andrew, soldier)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1858/09553/5463392.pdf (Castle St. Lisburn, father Andrew, soldier)
1861 Belfast Directory- Lisburn: Robb, Thomas, painter, Castle Street. (same address as 1858 marriage)
The Age [Melbourne], 19 June 1886: Casualties And Offences. The following persons were taken yesterday to the Melbourne Hospital:- Thomas Robb, aged 60, painter, residing Westwood-place, off Bourke-street east; he was found insensible at corner of Russell and Bourke streets shortly after eleven o’clock Sunday night, and died in hospital at five a.m. yesterday...
Witness [Belfast], 2 Apr.1886: ROBB- January 19, at Melbourne, Australia, of apoplexy, Mr. Thomas Robb, formerly of Lisburn. (this is a standard format for the period but obviously by that date his family in Ireland must have gotten news of his death)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1911/05406/4510275.pdf (widow of Thomas Robb a painter, informant son-in-law Thomas Moore)
Belfast Newsletter, 13 Feb.1911: ROBB- February 11, at 27, Hughenden Avenue, Belfast, Mary F. Robb, widow of the late Thomas Robb, formerly of Lisburn. Funeral private.
Children:
1. Jane Anna Robb (c1859 Co.Antrim) m. Thomas Moore.
2. John Robb (1861 Ireland).
3. Elizabeth Robb (1864 Australia).

Jane Anna Robb (c1859 Co.Antrim-aft.1941) m.(1882 Dublin) Thomas Moore (d.25 Dec. 1940), commercial traveller
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1882/10976/8012320.pdf (witness- Lizzie Robb)
Belfast Newsletter, 5 Sept.1882: MOORE-ROBB-September _, at Adelaide Road Presbyterian Church, Dublin, by the Rev. Robert M'_ Edgar, M.A., Thomas Moore, youngest son of Andrew Moore, Belfast, to Jane Anna (Jennie), eldest daughter of Thomas Robb, late of Lisburn.
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Bangor/Princetown_Road/1253176/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Clifton__Belfast_Urban_No__2/Hughenden_Avenue/134432/  (5 ch./2 liv.)
Moore Thomas of 159 Stranmillis Road Belfast retired commercial traveller died 25 December 1940 Probate Belfast 21 March [1941] to Jane Anna Moore the widow. Effects £63 15s. 11d.
I've found 4 of the 5 children-
1. John Robb Moore (1885 Belfast-aft.1901)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1885/02650/1977111.pdf
2. Thomas Andrew Moore (1887 Belfast)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1887/02574/1951603.pdf
3. Reginald Heber McNeight Moore (1890 Belfast)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/cert_amends/cert_1890/1899000a.pdf
4. Cecil Graham Moore (1889 Belfast-aft.1911)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1889/02477/1919547.pdf

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Robb (c1864 Vic., Australia) m.(1884) William Roberts
Birth: Robb Elizabeth, mother Mary Ferguson McKnight, father Thomas, 1864 Smyt. dist. Victoria.
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1884/10918/5988627.pdf
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!

Offline aghadowey

  • RootsChat Honorary
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 52,562
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #12 on: Tuesday 22 April 25 09:52 BST (UK) »
Andrew Robb
Soldier, painter, carver & gilder (not farmer as on Thomas' death registration)
1. Thomas Robb (see above)
2. William Robb m.(1848 Saintfield COI) Mary Cunningham (c1828)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1848/09351/5386329.pdf (William Robb, Saintfield, painter; father Andrew Robb, carver & gilder)
3. Robert Robb (c1833 Co.Down-1912) m. Rose Smith (see below)
4. Mary Ann Robb (c1840 Co.Down-1923) m. Robert Longwill (see below)
     note: Mary F. Ferguson informant for birth of Mary Ann's daughter in 1877.
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!


Offline aghadowey

  • RootsChat Honorary
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 52,562
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #13 on: Tuesday 22 April 25 10:08 BST (UK) »
Robert Robb (c1833 Co.Down-1912), painter, m.(1858 Kilbroney COI, Kilkeel) Rose Smith (c1835 Dublin-1908 Lisburn)
1858- painter, Rosstrevor
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1858/09551/5462902.pdf (father Andrew Robb, soldier)
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Lisburn/Bachelors_Walk/1000413/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Lisburn/Bachelors_Walk/200821/
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1908/05499/4540473.pdf
Belfast Newsletter, 6 Apr.1908:  ... at her residence, 51, Bachelor’s Walk, Lisburn, Rose, wife of Robert ... Interment in the Cemetery, Lisburn, this afternoon, at three o’clock. Friends please accept this intimation.  ...
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1912/05368/4497079.pdf (Robert Robb, housepainter- informant son James Robb)
Belfast Newsletter, 1 Apr.1912:  MR. ROBERT ROBB, LISBURN. Much regret is felt in Lisburn at the death this old and respected townsman, which took place his residence, Bachelors’ Walk, on the ult. The deceased had been a master painter in the town for forty years, and was assisted by ...
Belfast Newsletter, 1 Apr.1912: ... The remains of our beloved father will be removed for interment at Lisburn Cemetery ... Friends will please accept thus intimation- Dublin and Limerick papers please copy. James and M.A. Robb.
Probate of the Will of Robert Robb late of Bachelor's Walk Lisburn County Antrim House Painter who died 30 March 1912 granted at Belfast to Thomas Oliver Merchant and James Sloan Clerk. Effects £132 0s. 1d.
1. James Robb (c1861-aft.1911), painter, m.(1882) Elizabeth Ann Dickey; m.(1894) Margaret Ann “Maggie” Belshaw (c1866-aft.1911)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1882/10982/8014710.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1894/10578/5853478.pdf (father Robert Robb, painter)
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Lisburn/Westbourne_Terrace/1001913/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Lisburn/Bachelors_Walk/200828/ (6 ch./3 liv.)
a. Jane “Jennie” Robb (1883 Lisburn-aft.1911) m.(1908 Derriaghy COI) Andrew Scott
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1883/02728/2003408.pdf 
1901- in household of grandfather Robert Robb
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1908/10071/5663078.pdf
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Lisburn/Westbourne_Terrace/202435/
     1. Robert Allen Scott (1909 Lisburn-aft.1911)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1909/01606/1644875.pdf
b. Robert Robb (1885 Lisburn-1886 Lisburn)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1885/02662/1981328.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1886/06244/4787704.pdf
c. Edward Robb (1887 Lisburn-1887 Lisburn)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1887/02553/1944588.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1887/06208/4776009.pdf
d. (Margaret) Gertrude Robb (1895 Lisburn-1909 Lisburn)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1895/02198/1830906.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1909/05464/4529252.pdf
e. Maud Victoria/Victoria Maud Robb (1897 Lisburn-aft.1911)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1897/02121/1806568.pdf (Victoria Maud)
f. Robert James Robb (1899 Lisburn-aft.1911)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1899/02055/1786279.pdf
g. (Anna Letitia) Adelaide Robb (1900 Lisburn-1902 Lisburn)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1900/01989/1765674.pdf (Anna Letitia Adelaide)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1902/05706/4609568.pdf
h. William Richard Belshaw Robb (1903 Lisburn-aft.1911)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1903/01853/1722372.pdf
i. Child (d.bef.1911)
2. Mary Ann Robb (c1861 Co.Down-aft.1912).
3. Jane Robb (1868 Lisburn-1883 Lisburn)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1868/03433/2260200.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1883/06379/4830995.pdf
4. Elizabeth “Lizzie” Robb (1872 Lisburn-1892 Lisburn)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1872/03252/2192012.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1892/06050/4724053.pdf
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!

Offline aghadowey

  • RootsChat Honorary
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 52,562
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #14 on: Tuesday 22 April 25 10:14 BST (UK) »
Mary Ann Robb (c1840 Co.Down-1923 Belfast) m.(1859 Alfred St. Presbyterian Church, Belfast) Robert Longwill (c1831-1878)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1859/09564/5467841.pdf (father Andrew, painter or printer?)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1878/020504/7195435.pdf
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Falls_Ward/Cupar_Street/979797/
Northern Whig [Belfast], 27 Aug.1923: LONGWILL0 August 25, at her residence, 43, Brussels Street, Mary Ann, widow of the late Robert Longwill, formerly cashier of Glenmore Bleach Works, Lambeg. Her remains will be removed from the above address for interment ...
1. Daughter (1864)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1864/03599/2327298.pdf
2. Flora Kelly Longwill (1866) m.(1889 Lisburn) Joseph McClean
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1866/03512/2291638.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1889/10722/5909228.pdf
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Derryaghey/Magheralane/997143/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Derryaghy/Magheralave/197421/  (2 ch./1 liv.)
a. Joseph Moore McClean (c1896-aft.1901)
3. Robert Longwill (1868-1898) m. Sara(h) Jane Gillespie
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1868/03433/2260206.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1898/05833/4651954.pdf
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Shankhill/Matchet_Street/949139/
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Shankill/Matchett_Street/152136/
a. Agnes Lillian Longwill (c1892 Lisburn-aft.1911)
b. Robert Rollo Gillespie Longwill (c1893 Belfast-aft.1911)
4. Mary Hamilton Longwill (1870) m.(1904 St. Anne’s COI, Belfast) William Edward Mitchell (c1874)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1870/03327/2219628.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1904/10211/5717078.pdf
5. Thomas Henry Longwill (1873-1921)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1873/03201/2173975.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1921/05098/4400634.pdf
6. Jane Anna Elizabeth Robb (1875 Lambeg-aft.1901) m.(1894) Thomas Campbell (c1874-bef.1901), plumber; m.(1906 Trinity COI, Belfast) Robert Fleming
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1875/03094/2134553.pdf
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1894/10560/5846882.pdf (witnesses Joseph & Flora McClean)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1906/10123/5683039.pdf
a. William John Campbell (c1896 Belfast-aft.1921)
b. Thomas Henry Campbell (c1898 Belfast-aft.1901)
c. Jane Anna Fleming (c1908)
d. Maud Fleming (c1910)
e. Marianne Longwill Fleming (c1912)
7. Frances Charlotte Longwell (1877) m.(1907 Trinity COI, Belfast) Robert Barnett
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1877/02991/2096191.pdf (informant is a Mary F. Robb of Chapel Hill, Lisburn)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1907/10087/5669240.pdf (sister Jane and Jane’s husband Robert Fleming witnesses)
https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Woodvale/Sugarfield_Street/179923/
a. Florence Madeline “Florrie” Steel (1898-aft.1911)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1898/02076/1792485.pdf (Florence Madeline, daughter of James Steel & Florence Charlotte Longwell)
1901- in household of grandmother Mary Longwill
1911- stepdaughter in household of Robert Barnett
b. Isabella “Bella” Barnett (c1908-aft.1911)
c. Robert Andrew Barnett (c1911)
d. Jane Anna Elizabeth Barnett (1916 Belfast)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/birth_returns/births_1916/01354/1558774.pdf
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!

Offline shanreagh

  • RootsChat Aristocrat
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,799
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #15 on: Tuesday 22 April 25 10:24 BST (UK) »
Goodness Aghadowey you've excelled yourself and that is saying something as I've seen some amazing finds and evidence from you. 

And thank you as while you've found them for Tejjy there may be others with Robb & families forebears who might find this research in the future. 

Shanreagh  ;D

Offline aghadowey

  • RootsChat Honorary
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 52,562
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #16 on: Tuesday 22 April 25 10:50 BST (UK) »
According to the Valuation Revision Books (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/searching-valuation-revision-books) Thomas Robb is listed at property number 58 Chapel Hill in Lisburn from 1874-1879. The street number was 17 and it consisted of a house, yard & small garden. It looks like the property is no longer there but I think it was around the entrance to the Ford dealership.

One unresolved bit is this-
Mary Ann Robb (c1840 Co.Down-1923 Belfast) m.(1859 Alfred St. Presbyterian Church, Belfast) Robert Longwill (c1831-1878)
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1859/09564/5467841.pdf (father Andrew, painter or printer?)
I still think it could read painter if you look at other 'a's on the page but if is printer then I think it could have been a clerical error when copying into that register.

I have to confess that I did not try to look for Thomas Robb's son John but since he turns out to be your ancestor then you likely have far more information than I would have found on him.
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!

Offline tejjy

  • RootsChat Extra
  • **
  • Posts: 68
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: Robbs in & around Lisburn
« Reply #17 on: Tuesday 22 April 25 21:48 BST (UK) »
That is *absolutely* *amazing*. Thank you very much indeed. That is a tour de force.

The Smythesdale historical society has the police desk book for the 1860's and Thomas makes several appearances in it for d&d, on one occasion accompanied by Mary.

i'm interested in his father's career. i will have to look at the army records. Thanks again