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James Henry Russell (1859-1944)

My grandfather, James Henry Russell, was born 25 Aug 1859 in Co. Armagh, Ireland, the youngest of 10 children of Robert Russell (b. N. Ireland) and Jane McComb (b. Co. Down) according to the 1900 U.S. Census and her obituary. His father supposedly died when James was about three (about 1862), leaving his widow with five living children. Three older sisters, Sarah (b. 1842), Rachel (b. 1844) and Mary "Alice" (b. 1853) traveled to the U.S. aboard the "Richard Robinson" from Liverpool, England, arriving in New York City 21 Jun 1862. All three immediately settled in Wisconsin, with Sarah marrying there 4 Sep 1862 (just two months later) and Rachel marrying 6 Aug 1863. Ten years later 26 Oct 1872 James arrived in New York City aboard the "Algeria" with an older brother Robert (b. 1848) and their widowed mother, Jane. They immediately settled in Waupaca County, Wisconsin near the girls. All were Protestant. A Family Search tree says Sarah was born in Drumore, Co. Armagh, Ireland with no documentation. Mary Alice's daughter Mary's birth records gives her mother's birthplace as "Dumgore" which does not exist; [Google tried to correct to "Dunmore" in Galway Co. when I searched for it]. Brother Robert's birthplace was given as Portadown (Drumcree), Co. Armagh, N. Ireland, in Ballagh area, in his obituary in Lebanon, Potter Co., SD. Two of James Henry's sons gave his birthplace as Co. Armagh, Ireland. A third reported on his WWI Registration card that his dad, JH, was born "near Belfast." I would appreciate any help in narrowing James' birth to a specific parish. Thanks!

cdgennut46

3 replies

There is a townland named Drumgor, in the parish of Seagoe, in the tithe applotment records for 1834, and there was a James Russell farming there. So that might be the family townland. (It’s close to Portadown).

http://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/armagh/tithe-applotments/seagoe-parish.php

There is also a James listed in Griffiths Valuation for Drumgor 1864 when he was in a farm labourer’s cottage on John Russells farm, plot 1. So not a farmer. Might be a different James from the 1834 one, especially as your family’s was reportedly dead by 1864. 

Looking at the 1901 census of Drumgor there were 22 Russells in the townland. Mostly Church of Ireland, and a few Methodists. 1 Brethren.

Seagoe Church of Ireland has records from 1672 (with some gaps). Ballincor Methodist church has baptism from 1845. (No pre 1845 marriages). Bluestone Methodists have baptisms from 1839 and marriages from 1842. Prior to those years, Methodists would have used the Church of Ireland. The Church of Ireland keeps burial records but Methodists do not.  Worth checking Seagoe COI burials for James’ burial c 1862. Copies of all the records are in PRONI in Belfast. If you are unable to go yourself, you could employ a researcher. Researchers in the PRONI area: http://sgni.net

(Sadly much of Drumgor, including plot 1, is now underneath the modern Craigavon Lakes).

Drumcree Church of Ireland has records from 1788. They are in PRONI too.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks for your speedy research and suggestions. I will try to follow up on them. One correction: the patriarch of the Russell family I am looking for was Robert, not James. James H was his youngest son.

cdgennut46

Apologies for the mix up over the forenames. However hopefully we have identified the right townland and so searching the Seagoe and perhaps the Drumcree COI records would seem the next step. Rootsireland has some coverage of both parishes but doesn't have all years.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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