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I am searching for the origins of my Great Grandfather Jim McGookin.  He fathered a daughter, Emily, with Sarah Fraser who lived in Renfrew Street in Belfast.  The daughter, my grandmother, was born in 1879. Emily McGookin never met her father, Jim McGookin. He was a soldier with the British Army and died of "the fever" in India when Emily was "about two years old."  He was supposed to be in an elite unit and wore a " special" hat. I hired a military researcher who narrowed down the elite units in India during that time period and did find a James McGuckin who was with the Rifle Brigade. He was posted to return to England in 1883 but disappears off the records and never returns, nor does he appear on the ships' transport records. The assumption is he died on the march to the port in India. My military researcher told me that enlistment records were destroyed for those who died while in service.  They were only saved for those men who would receive a pension. Therefore, I don't know where he enlisted, where or when he was born. Sarah Frazer and her daughter, Emily McGookin, were Church of Ireland but I don't know if Jim McGookin was also a member. Not much to go on. Any suggestions as to how I can find out about Jim McGookin's origins?

Thank you!

 

Rorer46

Thursday 13th Oct 2016, 04:18PM

Message Board Replies

  • Here are the James McGookin birth/baptism records from www.rootsireland.ie/:

    Church BaptismMcGookinJames1837Co. Antrim

    Church BaptismMcGookinJames1857Co. Antrim
    Civil BirthMcGookinJames1871Co. Antrim
    Civil BirthMcGookinJames1887Co. Antrim
    Civil BirthMcGookinJames McCready1898Co. Antrim
    Civil BirthMcGookinJames1919Co. Antrim

    The most likely would be the second one though the first is possible; did the researcher not give you a birth date or year?

    Here are the baptism records for them: (second one is 'illegitimate'

     Name:James McGookinDate of Birth:22-Mar-1857
    Date of Baptism:21-Jun-1857Address:Ballyboley [ballycor]Parish/District:BallynureGender:
    CountyCo. Antrim
    Denomination:Church Of Ireland
    Father:Thomas McGookinMother:Agnes /Occupation:Smith

    Name:James McGookinDate of Birth:
    Date of Baptism:3-Sep-1837Address:Ballyeaston [ballycor]Parish/District:BallynureGender:
    CountyCo. Antrim
    Denomination:Church Of Ireland
    Father:John McGookinMother:Eliza McClellandOccupation:/
    Sponsor 1 /
    Informant 1:
    Sponsor 2 /
    Informant 2:
    Notes:

    illegitimate

    I assume you have this record:

    Name:Emily McGookinDate of Birth:13-Sep-1879
    Registration Date:04-Oct-1879Address:25 Renfrew StreetParish/District:URBAN 4 CIVIL, BELFASTGender:FemaleCountyCo. Antrim
    Denomination:Civil Parish / District
    Father:James McGookinMother:Sarah FrazerOccupation:Soldier
    Sponsor 1 /
    Informant 1:Sarah Frazer 
    25 Renfrew StreetSponsor 2 /
    Informant 2:
    Notes:

    DEPUTY REGISTRAR A HEWITT MGR: FATHER FROM ENGLAND.

    Col

    ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Saturday 15th Oct 2016, 02:48AM

  •  

     

    Thank you for your reply.  The military researcher could not give a birth date since the enlistment records were destroyed. I am guessing he was  around twenty when my grandmother was born. I agree that the James McGookin born 1857 is the most likely suspect. Any suggestions where I should go from here?  Is there any chance the church might show him dropped from the church rolls due to his death?

     

     

    Rorer46

    Monday 17th Oct 2016, 10:21PM

  • Private James McGuckin of the Rifle Brigade did return from India in May 1884 and was discharged from the army in 1890.  Born Mulkirk, Ayrshire circa 1856, father James McGuckin in Ohio.
    Army papers viewable on FindMyPast: https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fwo97%2f3370%2f009%2f001&parentid=gbm%2fwo97%2f3370%2f213668

    ShaunJ

    Tuesday 24th Sep 2019, 07:40AM

  • Mulkirk Ayrshire is probably Muirkirk.

    Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Tuesday 24th Sep 2019, 10:27PM

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