James Neill (O'Neil) : Short Biography

References

James Neill (O'Neil) 1795

Drummaul (Antrim)

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Born circa 1795-1800.....Joined British Army in 1816 based in Edinburgh Castle. Married in Edinburgh in 1818 to Helen Swan. Had 3 sons, Charles (born 1827) John (1829) and William (born 1831). John Neill was born in army barracks in Birr, Offaly. James served in 70th regiment of foot, 74th regiment of foot and lastly 36th regiment of foot. James died in Kinsale in 1832, I think whilst based at Charles Fort. Upon his death, Helen and the sons relocated to Edinburgh, where the Neills would stay for next 150 years. Love to hear from anyone who thinks they're connected to James.

Additional Information
Date of Birth	1st Jan 1795 (circa)
Date of Death	1st Jan 1832 (circa)

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Comments

Hello,

I have researched that James O’Neill (Neil) and Helen Swan are my 4th grandparents. Their son John O’Neill (Neill) who as you say, relocated to Edinburgh with his mother, is my third grand parent. Nice to meet you! Michelle

Nicolson_in_Canada

Wednesday 6th November 2019 03:29PM

Wow very exciting- great to hear from you......How do you link back to John ?

I note you are in Canada- I am still in Scotland.......Do you still have the Neill name ?

Neill81

Wednesday 6th November 2019 03:44PM

Hi!

James O’Neil is my fourth grandfather. His son John Neil, who married Helen Swan, is my third grandfather. John Neil married Robina Mitchell Day. Their daughter Robina Mitchell Neill is my 2nd great grandmother. Robina Mitchell Neill married my 2nd great grandfather Thomas Adams Nicolson (hence my last name of Nicolson.) Their son John Neil Nicolson is my great grandfather. My father immigrated to Canada in the 1950’s.

I joined a group thread just now about James O’Neil. I have located some source documents that confirm your findings as well.

Happy to meet you, Michelle

Nicolson_in_Canada

Wednesday 6th November 2019 04:04PM

Excellent stuff - I am actually got some military research carried out on James so know a bit about him.......i managed to get a copy of his son, John O'Neills birth certificate from when he was born in army barracks in 1829.....I am happy to share this with you.

John is also my 3x grandfather, its funny you mention Robina......John had a son called Wiliam, his son was also called John Neill and was my great grandfather who also served in the army and ww1......he had a sister called Robina......I was contacted by a guy in USA who was also who was this Robinas grandson.....he also have me a pic which I can share with you.

This Robina would have been James Neills granddaughter and born circa 1877.....ish......

Neill81

Wednesday 6th November 2019 04:44PM

That would be fantastic if you could share John O’Neill’s birth certificate. I have been hunting and hunting to no avail. It had always been a rumour that there was some Irish heritage within my Scottish family so the birth certificate would help prove it to my Auntie!

I did see the photo of Robina and James Marshall through Ancestry. That fellow has his family tree online so thank you but I was able to get that photo.

Michelle

Nicolson_in_Canada

Wednesday 6th November 2019 05:01PM

I had to order John (O') Neills certificate from a military archive as he was born in an army barracks.

Whilst he was born in ireland, he would have moved to Edinburgh circa 1832 following james death in 1832 when he was around 3, his brother Charles would have been 5 and younger brother William wound have been 1.

The 1841 census shows the 3 Neill brothers living in Edinburgh with Helen Swan (now Helen Hutchison as she remarried) this census also confirms the boys were born in Ireland.

At this stage they were still O'Neill but every census and marriage record after that shows them as simply Neill.

Im not actually sure how i can send you the certificate- Is there a private messaging function on this site which allows attachments to be sent.....or can we privately exchange email addresses somehow?

I'm delighted to hear from you, it took ages to travel James and find more info.....I have plans to trace James parents but this will be tricky.

Neill81

Wednesday 6th November 2019 10:12PM

Yes, I have all of the records about the descendants of James O’Neil. I found a baptismal certificate with parents identified, but I can’t confirm it is 100% accurate.

I’m not sure if there is private messaging as I just joined this site today.

You can correspond directly with me at mjejhartman@yahoo.ca .

You could take a picture or screenshot of the birth certificate and attach it to the email as a possible solution.

Thank you!