My second great grandparents were James Beckham and Martha Forsyth, born in Belfast. I do not know the year of their birth, but know that they emigrated to Canada and died in Lachute, province of Quebec. James died on 2 December 1888 and Martha died on 15 March 1887. I know more about their son Robert. He was born 17 June 1833 in Belfast and died 27 September 1908 in Sutton, Quebec, Canada. He married Mary Ann Stewart Forsyth on 17 June 1859 In St. James Methodist Church, Montreal. Mary Ann was born 13 September 1839 in Methven, Perthshire, Scotland and died 17 January 1924 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Robert and Mary Ann had nine children, many of whom died quite young. Lily Stewart Beckham was the seventh and she was my grandmother. She was born 28 May 1874 in Montreal, Quebec and died 29 December 1945 in Abbotsford, Quebec, Canada. I have good information re. my Canadian family. What I am hoping to do is trace back to the Beckhams and Forsyths of Belfast who did not emigrate to Canada (assuming there were any) to try and establish a living connection to Ireland. Nothing would please me more! I have reached a brick wall with James Beckham and Martha Forsyth, and have been unable to go back any further. Thank you for reading this lengthy message. Any leads or tips will be gratefully received.
Jane Hamilton
Wednesday 24th Apr 2013, 01:46AM
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Hi,
My name is Jeanette, I?m a volunteer for Irelandxo. Took a quick look to see how I might be able to help, with some interesting results.
Many Beckhams and Forsyths traveled back and forth from Scotland to Ireland in earlier times. However by 1901 the Ireland census lists only 8 persons with the Beckham spelling. Trying a wild card reveals only a couple that would count as a variation, but did show many that could have been a shortened form, ie:Beck, Beckett, etc? http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search . The Forsyth spelling reveals many, although there did not seem to be that many elders.
Many directories for Belfast and surrounding areas have been placed online http://www.lennonwylie.co.uk . His search portion will search through all his publications and is a real help. If at all possible try to get at least middle initials for each of your Belfast adults as they might be listed under this other name.
Griffiths valuation 1847-1864 does reveal 53 Forsyth last names, however this is not inclusive for all persons of that last name. Only those in a property. The Beckham last name though does not reveal any. http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch
What may be to your benefit though is the Wesleyan Methodist connection. It will take a bit of digging and research. Good explanation on these records is found at:
http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Irish-ancestry-search.html
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/records/church/methodist http://www.youririsheyes.com/church_records.html
http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/parish-records-marriage-licences
Guidance might also come though The Methodist Church In Ireland http://www.irishmethodist.org/find-a-church/index.php?page=district&did=6
Keep an open mind as Robert was about 9 when the family emigrated in 1842 (according to CA census), so remembering Belfast, may have been meant that Belfast was the port they left from or stopped at.
If you haven?t already done so, tracking down all lines of Robert and Mary Anns descendants in CA and U.S.( if any) may also lead to more answers. Checking Google ebooks on history of the areas the descendants lived might also give leads.
Hope this all helps, Jeanette
Wednesday 1st May 2013, 12:37AM