I'm having trouble finding the deaths of my great grandparents who were living at 47 Main St. Elphin in the 1911 census. James Johns was the local RIC constable from 1882-1902 when he retired. He was born in Wexford about 1855. Jane (Hayes) was born in Queen's Co. about 1859. They were both Church of Ireland and I assume they stayed in Elphin until their deaths
In 1901 one of their daughters, Maria Jane, married Henry Somerville who was a local farmer and Postmaster. He owned a few houses including James's and a grocery and a butcher's shop.
Interestingly I have just read the Ancestor entry for Oliver Goldsmith and his relationship to Rev Jones. One of James's son's was named Thomas Goldsmith and the family story was that the Johns family was related to Oliver Goldsmith but I haven't been researching the family long enough to find a connection, if there is indeed one.
As I have been researching I notice there are many families listed as Jones and few as Johns so maybe I should be using that variant as well when researching early records?
In the meantime, if anyone could give me some indication where I can find out if James & Jane did end their days in Elphin since they do not come up in the searches I have done so far, I'd be very grateful.
Rosaleen
Rosaleen
Tuesday 16th Jun 2020, 02:55PMMessage Board Replies
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Rosaleen:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
The Irish government site www.irishgenealogy.ie which has civil death records has been down for a few hours. I will check out the records when the site is back up.
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Rosaleen:
I searched the site www.irishgenealogy.ie and did not find a death record for James Johns or Jane Johns. There were very few by that name. I went thru all the Jane Jones records also but did not find a likely record.
I did find one marriage record for a daughter Anna Elizabeth in 1915 so they were still in Elphin at that time.
However, another daughter Rebecca was married in Dungarvan Co. Waterford in 1916. You can't tell if only Rebecca was living in Dungarvan or where James and John were there also.
Here is a son James getting married in 1917. Of course, the marriage would have been in the bride's church
Roger
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Hello Roger,
At least I know I didn't miss them on www.irishgenealogy.ie as I couldn't find anything either. Perhaps I should start looking to see if they left Ireland like most of their children though I don't remember that being mentioned in our family.
Rebecca could well have gone to live with Anna Elizabeth who was my grandmother (my father was born in Dungarvan). James (Frederick) married in 1917 was their brother.
Hopefully, I'll solve this mystery soon.
Thank you for doing this research.
Rosaleen
Rosaleen
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Hi Roseleen, Maria was my great Gran. She, Eva, Ida and Emily moved to Manchester but James and Janes did not.
My mum doesn't know what became of Maria's parents but we will have a dig around and let you know if we find anything.
Do you still live in Waterford?
regards
Aus
Aus
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Hi, I am researching the Somerville and Johns families. Maria is my great grandmother too. Her son William Albert Somerville is my grandfather. I am trying to find out more about life for the families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, piecing together family stories, before my ancestors left for Manchester.
we might be able to swap info to help each other a little.Sam
SamTW
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Hi Sam,
Thank you for getting in touch. Yes, it would be good to combine our efforts. I did find James & Jane's gravestone in Manchester but not sure when they moved over there. I had a brief look at the 1921 census but couldn't see them and no doubt they left before the 1927 Ireland census. I was going to wait until the 1921 census became free to access for a more thorough search (which should be in a few months hopefully). Do you have a tree on Ancestry or Findmypast?
Talk soon.
Rosaleen
Rosaleen
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Hi Rosaleen,
Great to hear from you. I am on Ancestry but not Find my past. My mum says William Somerville was about 17 when he arrived in Manchester with his mother Maria Johns and his siblings and his aunts. which would make it about 1922 that they moved. Just after the uk census and I understand there was no census in Ireland in 1921. Not sure when James and Jane moved- whether they came at the same time or once family were settled. Look forward to our exchanges. Sam
SamTW
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Hi Roseleen, what are the death dates on the Manchester grave stones? I'm not aware they came over however I'd worry what did become of them if they stayed in Elphin. There is no record of the family coming to Manchester but we were told there won't be at that time!
regards
Austin
Aus
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Hi Sam,
You are uncle Bert's grand kid?
Nice to see you on here.
Regards
AustinAus
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Attached Files
Hi Sam & Austin,
I'm so glad we have connected. my email is rosaleen_w@hotmail.comIn the meantime:
James Johns died 22 Feb 1935 at 4 Croston Street, Beswick Manchester.Jane Johns (Hayes) died 8 Jan 1931 at same address.
they are both buried in the same plot 2209 at the Southern Cemetery, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy in Manchester. I have attached a photo of their gravestone.
Eva Christina Johns their spinster daughter is also noted on there. I have her death certificate and it was registered by Hilda Florence Bennett her niece living at 16 Albert Grove Manchester.
Please keep in touch via my email.
RosaleenRosaleen
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Attached Files
Hi Sam & Austin,
I'm so glad we have connected. my email is rosaleen_w@hotmail.comIn the meantime:
James Johns died 22 Feb 1935 at 4 Croston Street, Beswick Manchester.Jane Johns (Hayes) died 8 Jan 1931 at same address.
they are both buried in the same plot 2209 at the Southern Cemetery, Chorlton-Cum-Hardy in Manchester. I have attached a photo of their gravestone.
Eva Christina Johns their spinster daughter is also noted on there. I have her death certificate and it was registered by Hilda Florence Bennett her niece living at 16 Albert Grove Manchester.
Please keep in touch via my email.
RosaleenRosaleen
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Sorry, I posted that twice! My user name on Ancestry is RosaleenB. The Johns branch is in my Boardman Tree.
Rosaleen
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Hi Rosaleen and Austin,
Thank you for sharing the photo of the gravestone. Will make sure to show my mum, Linda. Yes, Bert Somerville is my grandad! I never knew his brothers or sisters but my mum has lots of memories and she is still in contact with one or two cousins.
Fantastic to make contact with you both.I will email you Rosaleen.
Sam
SamTW
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Sam,
Tell you mum Pauline says hi x
Kind regards
Austin
Aus