Gibson

Ann,

There wasn’t a Hugh Gibson death anywhere in Ireland in 1920. Nearest in Tyrone, was in Irvinestown 1913 aged 73.

Hugh Gibson is a common name. What was Hugh’s occupation? Who did he marry? Can you give us some more information to narrow the search?

My great grandfather died in Arkansas in 1923. I forgot to put that in my post. He was born 27 April 1847, I believe he came to the United States in 1863. He had a brother named Wilson who was also in the US. I have no idea if there were other siblings or the names of his parents. Thanks so much for any information. 

There are 34 trees on Ancestry that have Hugh Hal(l)iday Gibson. Most give his date of birth as 27.4.1847 in Tyrone and his parents as Joseph & Mary Gibson. He seems to have married Penelope Talkington on 25.11.1915 in Arkansas, and his date of death is mostly 1.1.1920 or 1.1.1921. You would need to check with the tree owners to see what their sources are for that information but if they have marriage or death certificates, it could give you Hugh’s mother’s maiden name and his father’s occupation.

The Burn(e)s family tree on Ancestry gives his place of birth as Coagh which is near Cookstown. Birth registration didn’t start in Ireland till 1864 so to confirm Hugh’s baptism or birth you would need to check church records. Coagh is in the parish of Tamlaght. You haven’t mentioned his denomination but if Church of Ireland their baptism records for Tamlaght start in 1801, if Presbyterian theirs start in 1839 and if RC 1865. The Church of Ireland & Presbyterian records are not on-line anywhere so far as I am aware. There are copies in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast.  A personal visit is required to view them. If you are unable to go yourself, you could employ a researcher. Researchers in the PRONI area: http://sgni.net

I searched Griffiths Valuation (1859) for a Joseph Gibson in Tamlaght but did not find one, suggesting possibly that he had died by that year. (Death registration didn’t start till 1864 so there may be no record of his death if before that year). But not everyone was listed in Griffiths so you can’t be certain.

Elwyn

Thank you so much for the help. I will look into all of your suggestions. I believe he was Presbyterian but that is not a for sure.