Phair

Hi,

I've forwarded your request to a volunteer in Co Fermanagh who may be able to assist or advise you.

All the best.

Genealogy support

Hi Ruth,

Unfortunately, many of the records we could use to trace your family have been lost for the time period your specify, for example the census records. The only other records which may exist are church birth records or families who have kept detailed family records. Its very helpful to know the religion and parish in which your gg grandparents would have worshiped. A clue could exist in your own family and the religion they followed when they emigrated.  

To give you an idea of the popularity of the surnames involved, here are currently 27 people listed in the Fermanagh Lakeland Phone book with the surname Phair, and approx 50 with the surname Rooney.

Are there any family stories about 'home' and the people who remained in Ireland?  These often prove to be useful in linking up families.

Clones Parish, County Fermanagh

Thank you so much for your reply. My dad always said we were "Orange Irish".

Jason Phair lists Weslyan Methodist on the Canada 1871 Census.

• In Griffith's Valuation in 1862, Jason leased land in CLONTYMULLAN, KILLESHER, Fermanagh, Ireland.
• We believe he arrived in Canada in 1863,

I've found two contemporary James Phairs older than Jason, one not quite old enough to likely be his father.

• In 1828, according to a Brooke's Deed; there were leases by Robert Phair for James Phair and Francis Graham. (Probably not my James (1815-1883).)
• In Griffith's Valuation in 1861, James Phair (one or another) leased land in Mullyknock or Topped Mountain, Enniskillen, Fermanagh, Ireland.
• In Griffith's Valuation in 1862, James Phair (one or both or still another) leased land in Kinawley, Derrybrusk, and (2x) Enniskillen parishes.

No, no stories about home, unfortunately. 

Ruth Phair Mason 

Interesting, the CLONTYMULLAN is the best lead yet.  This townland is neighbouring the townland of DRUMINISKILL which would be where a branch of the Phair's of Florencecourt are from.  I have gave one of them a call and they are to look into it.  The name of Jason is quite rare in those days so should be easy to find.  I believe there is a small 'chapel of ease' in Druminiskill which opened in 1850's.  Before this would have been St Johns I believe.

As weddings tended to be held in the brides parish, your Rooney connection must have been from Enniskillen somewhere.

Ive found the wee church at Druminiskill, its very colourful!  (Dark red/purple)  Might be worth a visit.  Im told there are a number of Phair graves here, but no grave records/transcripts.  You would have to visit and ask to see the records.  Let me know and Ill find out who to speak to regarding arranging a visit.

The following is a link to Google Streetview so you can take a look at where it is.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=54.267329,-7.657557&spn=0.043158…

Thank you so very much! The church looks wonderful.

I did not intend to provide information in dribs and drabs. This week, I will compile all that I have about James & Rose and Jason & Anne. I will note which pieces have sources and which are simply "potential". 

We have not set dates for our trip but are planning for Autumn 2013. I'm getting more excited.

I appreciate your help immensely. --Ruthie

Regarding your Jason Phair + Anne Rooney, do you happen to know if Anne made it to Canada?  Some information has come to light that she may have died in Ireland and Jason remarried?  Also, he may not have taken his entire family, some may have been left behind? As his name is quite unique Im pretty sure its the same person.  Does that spark any memories or stories you may have heard?

I had read that too. I think she did emigrate because there was a child born in Ontario Canada before his marriage to Sara Jane Davis in 1867. (Still compling my sources but most births I think are based on the Canadian Censuses.)  

If any stayed behind, they, of course, are not on the Canadian Censuses and I would love to find the info!

If you have access to Ancestry.com, my public tree is named "Phair Mason Family Tree".  

Jason and Anne's children:

• James Phair (1855-1932) born in Ireland
• Rose Phair (1856 - ) born in Ireland
• Margaret Jane Phair (1858 - ) born in Ireland
• Thomas Phair (1860 - 1938) born in Ireland
• Richard Jason Phair (1862 - ) born in Ireland
• The family emigrated between Richard's and William's births.
• William John Phair (1865 - ) born in Canada

 Again, I appreciate all your help! --Ruthie

The reason I ask is that there is an Anne Phair still living in Druminiskill in the 1901 Census.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Fermanagh/Florencecour…

Her age is 67, which would make her the same age as Anne Rooney.  Ive been trying to look up ship passenger lists to establish who he traveled with, but not having any luck :(

Here's what I've sorted out the past couple days. It differs a bit from what I posted yesterday. 

James Phair (1815-1883) Source: Ancestry.com. Ireland, Civil Registration Deaths Index, 1864-1958

• Residences in Townlands near Enniskillen 1862-1863. Griffiths Valuation records.
• Another James Phair was b. 1819 (which would make him 15 at Jason's birth). There must have been at least one other who had a life lease in 1828. Unsure if this is the correct James Phair (Phare, Phayer, etc). 
• Wife is Rose (source is Groom's (Jason) mother's name -- Rose Phair -- on Sarah Jane Davis Marriage info). Wife's maiden name- Maguire (potential - from unsourced Ancestry.com public tree)

 Jason Phair (Phare) (abt 1834 - 14 Aug 1900) Source: Ancestry.com. Ontario, Canada, Deaths, 1869-1938 and Deaths Overseas, 1939-1947 

• Son of James Phare Source: "Ireland, Marriages, 1619-1898,"https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGXV-TM3
• Married Anne Rooney 15 Feb 1853 in Enniskillen Source: Ancestry.com. Ireland, Civil Registration Marriages Index, 1845-1958. Source: "Ireland, Marriages, 1619-1898, Source: The E-Site, http://www.the-e-site.com/irish/FERMANAGH/MARRIAGES/enniskillen-marriag…

 Anne Rooney (abt 1834 - abt 1866). Birth and Death years based only on Jason's birth and his marriage to Sarah Jane Davis in Canada in 1867. 

• Daughter of Thomas Rooney Source: "Ireland, Marriages, 1619-1898,

 Jason and Anne's children:

• James Phair (1855-1932) born in Ireland (1881 Cdn Census)
• Rose Phair (1856 - ) born in Ireland (unsourced)
• Margaret Phair Neff (1858 - ) born in Ireland (1881 Cdn Census)
• Thomas Phair (1860 - 1938) born in Ireland (1881 Cdn Census)
• Richard Jason Phair (1862 - ) born in Ireland (unsourced)
• John Phair (1865 - ) born in Ontario Canada (1881 Cdn Census)

Married Sarah Jane Davis 30 Sept 1867 in Ontario Canada.  Jason and Sarah's children:

• Henry Phair (1869 - ) (1891 Cdn Census)
• Robert (1872 - ) (1891 Cdn Census)
• Ellen Rose Phair Gallaugher (1876 - ) (1891 Cdn Census)
• Mary Phair Voss (1882 - ) (1891 Cdn Census)
• Ann Phair Hurd (1889 - 1921) (1891 Cdn Census)

Possibly the unsourced children, Rose and Richard, were the ones left behind? Margaret listed 1866 and 1867 as her arrival date on different Censuses so she emigrated after John was born in Canada.  

The 1901 Census's Anne Phair is intriguing!

Hoping this info provides some insight. --Ruthie

If you email me at phairmason (at) live (dot) com with your email address, I can send you an invitation to view my Phair Mason tree on Ancestry.com.  That way you can look at all the sources, in addition to the ones listed above. Or I can figure out how to download a partial gedcom and email that to you, if you prefer. (I'm new to this... been at it for a little over a month.)