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Searching for Masterson Ancestors from Cavan!

Cavan

Folks,

I am trying to locate a few specific records for my my Masterson Ancestors who I understand were from Cavan. They all moved to greater Belfast to work in the Linen Mill at Ligoniel.   I am looking for advice/assistance to locate the following:-

  1. Birth record for my Great Great Grandfather Thomas Masterson born circa 1830s?
  2. Marriage record for Thomas - his wife was Ann (but I don''t have her maiden name), married circa 1850s?  If I can find the marriage record then I can find out Anne's Maiden name too. Thomas died 09.02.1881, his wife Ann died 15.10.1902
  3. Birth records for Thomas & Anne Masterson children, my research has the following names (there could be more ??)
  • Bridget C1855 - she died in Belfast 11.02.1912
  • James C1856 or 1863  (my Great Grandfather) - he died in Belfast 21.01.1907
  • Rose C1857 - can't locate a death record
  • Susan C1862 - she died in Belfast 01.11.1921

I have a lot of research from the ireland census, death and other records from Irish Genealogy and other sites, but missing a few key pieces of information as stated in 1 to 3 above. I will happily sign up to a subscription site if required.

Many Thanks in advance for any help.

Valerie Masterson Milling

 

ValerieM

3 replies

Valerie,

The 1901 census tells us that Ann, Bridget, Rose & Susan were all born in Co. Monaghan (not Cavan).

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Shankhill/Westley_Place/978921/

I have searched the on-line baptism and marriage records but do not see any baptisms for the children nor a marriage for the parents. This suggests that the events occurred in a parish which does not have any records for the years you need. Several parishes in Monaghan lack records for those years eg Killeevan which start in 1871, Clontibret 1861 and Tullycorbet 1862. There are probably others.

I searched for any children born 1864 onwards (when statutory birth registration started) but did not find any. If there’s no record of the baptisms or marriage it will be hard to find Ann’s maiden name. Likewise there’s probably no baptisms to be found for Thomas or Ann either.

The Northern Whig of 12th December 1881 has a report on the inquest into Thomas’s death but does not really provide any additional information other than that you will have seen on his death certificate.

Possible death for Rose Masterson regd in Belfast 9.12.1924 aged 71. (You’ll need to pay to view that on the GRONI site).

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Elwyn

Thanks very much for the update and taking the time to look into this for me.  I have been given conflicting information (not by you !!) which is why I was checking out Cavan!  I was originally looking in Monaghan but was told they were more than likely from Cavan! 

My Great Grandfather James even stated on the census he was from Ballybay which is definetly Monaghan, but alas I can't find a birth record for him.  I will check GRONI for Rose's death.

As you have stated the records are very scarce so not sure if I can find anything else, I will keep trying.

All the best, take care

Valerie

ValerieM

Valerie,

The 1911 census repeats that Susan, Rose & Bridget were all born in Co. Monaghan. Their brother in law Charles Graham completed the form and is consistent in both censuses, so it seems fairly reliable. 

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Shankill/Ligoniel_Road__part_of_/171663/

James Masterson completed and signed the 1901 census form himself, so you would think he’s likely to know where he was born.  An earlier generation might have moved from Cavan to Monaghan but there are several different census returns saying Thomas & Ann’s children were all born in Monaghan, as was Ann herself.

In case you don’t have it, here’s Patrick Joseph Masterson’s birth in 1876. He was Rose’s son:

https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1876/03072/2126213.pdf

Ballybay is in Tullycorbet RC parish, and as I mentioned, their records don’t start till 1862 so that’ll be why you can’t find the family baptisms. The records don't exist.

Griffiths Valuation lists just 1 Thomas Masterson in Ballybay in 1861. He was in the townland of Corkeeran, he had plot 19a which was a house and garden. So that might be your family. Plot 19a was a labourer’s cottage just on the outskirts of Ballybay (on the modern R 162 road).  So that all fits with the information that the family came from Ballybay.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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