Robert James Smith was my Grandfather.
He was born in Copney near Carrickmore and Omagh in County Tyrone on June 12th,1885.
He was the son of Alexander Smyth and Mary Lyons Smyth.
His baptism as an infant was recorded in the records at St. Columbkille's Church, Carrickmore as Robert Francis but he always went by Robert James "R.J.".
His father, Alexander was a farmer. Robert had five brothers Christopher, Alexander, George, Joseph and Andrew. He had four sisters, Jane, Letitia, Mary "Minnie", and Margaret. Jane died at age 17 and Margaret at age 4.
Robert emmigrated to the United States when he was 24 years old. He left from Liverpool England on board the Noordland and arrived in the US at the port of Philadelphia on May 1st, 1905. He became a naturalized citizen of the US in 1909. His parents told him to look up their friends, Robert and Mary Denison when he got to Philadelphia. He eventually did and he later married the Denison's daughter, Eleanor Jane on July 23rd, 1919.
Robert owned a corner grocery store in west Philadelphia and was well known and well liked and respected in his neighborhood. Robert and Eleanor had three children, Ruth, Thomas Alexander, and Mary Eleanor.
Eventually all of his brothers and sisters except Joseph emmigrated to the United States.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 12th Jun 1885 | |
| Date of Death | 13th Sep 1969 | |
| Mother (First Name/s and Maiden) | Mary Lyons | |
| Father (First Name/s and Surname) | Alexander Smyth | |
| Names of Siblings | Christopher, Alexander, George, Joseph and Andrew. Jane, Letitia, Mary "Minnie", and Margaret. | |
| Spouse (First Name/s and Maiden/Surname) | Eleanor Denison | |
| Names of Children | Ruth, Thomas Alexander, and Mary Eleanor. | |
| Occupation | Grocer | |
