McWilliams Family 1822 - 1939
My paternal grandmother Clara McWilliams married George Henderson and she was the starting point for my research of the McWilliams family.
Robert McWilliams 1822 - 1880 (my 3ggf)
Robert McWilliams married Jane McClughan (or McLune) some time before 1840, when their only recorded child John was born (below).
According to Belfast city cemetery records, Robert died in April 1880 aged 58 (therefore born about 1822). Prior to his death he had been living at 59 Lepper Street. Jane may have died in February 1882 aged 63 (therefore born about 1819) and is also buried at the city cemetery. Prior to her death she had been living at 181 Urney Street. Both grave sites are unmarked.
According to Belfast city cemetery records, Robert died in April 1880 aged 58 (therefore born about 1822). Prior to his death he had been living at 59 Lepper Street. Jane may have died in February 1882 aged 63 (therefore born about 1819) and is also buried at the city cemetery. Prior to her death she had been living at 181 Urney Street. Both grave sites are unmarked.
John McWilliams 1840 – 1913 (my 2ggf)
Mary Jane Miniss
John was baptised in May 1841 in Shankhill, Belfast (cerificate).
In July 1861, John married Mary Jane Miniss (right) at Carnmoney[1] – the marriage record (here) confirms the respective fathers as Robert McWilliams and John Miniss. Mary Jane was born in 1839, the daughter of John Miniss from nearby Ballygolan. Census records indicate that Mary was a mill worker in a cotton mill – Ballygolan had a large cotton mill on Shore Road so this was most likely her workplace.
John started work as a general labourer and became a carpenter.
In 1865, when their first daughter was born, John and Mary were living in Carrickfergus, 11 miles northeast of Newtownabbey. Some time between 1865 and 1867 the family moved to the Shankhill area of Belfast, where their second daughter Eliza was born. In 1871, when Robert James (my ggf) was born, they were residing at 2 Tramway Street, Belfast. The street no longer exists but it was located off Limestone Road in the northwest of the city, near to where his son’s construction and hardware business was later located. They had five children:
1865 Mary was born in Carrickfergus, north of Belfast
1867 Eliza was born in Shankhill but died aged 6 in 1873.
1871 Robert James (my ggf). Father carpenter living at 2 Tramway Street, Belfast
1872 Susanna was born in Belfast
1876 Eliza was born in Belfast and named after her late sister
1878 John - father joiner living at 3 Loftus Street, Belfast
1882 Martha - father carpenter living at 135 Fortingale Street, Belfast .
John died in Belfast in 1913 and Mary in 1917.
In July 1861, John married Mary Jane Miniss (right) at Carnmoney[1] – the marriage record (here) confirms the respective fathers as Robert McWilliams and John Miniss. Mary Jane was born in 1839, the daughter of John Miniss from nearby Ballygolan. Census records indicate that Mary was a mill worker in a cotton mill – Ballygolan had a large cotton mill on Shore Road so this was most likely her workplace.
John started work as a general labourer and became a carpenter.
In 1865, when their first daughter was born, John and Mary were living in Carrickfergus, 11 miles northeast of Newtownabbey. Some time between 1865 and 1867 the family moved to the Shankhill area of Belfast, where their second daughter Eliza was born. In 1871, when Robert James (my ggf) was born, they were residing at 2 Tramway Street, Belfast. The street no longer exists but it was located off Limestone Road in the northwest of the city, near to where his son’s construction and hardware business was later located. They had five children:
1865 Mary was born in Carrickfergus, north of Belfast
1867 Eliza was born in Shankhill but died aged 6 in 1873.
1871 Robert James (my ggf). Father carpenter living at 2 Tramway Street, Belfast
1872 Susanna was born in Belfast
1876 Eliza was born in Belfast and named after her late sister
1878 John - father joiner living at 3 Loftus Street, Belfast
1882 Martha - father carpenter living at 135 Fortingale Street, Belfast .
John died in Belfast in 1913 and Mary in 1917.
Robert James McWilliams 1871 – 1933 (my great grandfather)
Robert (left) was born on 7 February 1871 in Belfast, the son of John and Mary McWilliams (certificate). Like his father, he was a carpenter and initially worked for Thomas Martin. He attended the Falls Road masonic lodge from 1905. Some time after 1909 he went into partnership with the McDowells and in 1918 established his own construction company and hardware store after purchasing a yard at 276 – 284[2] Limestone Road, Belfast 15.
Several family stories have been handed down regarding the origin of Robert’s wife, Isabella Scarborough (below). The most believable was that she was of Spanish descent – however there is no documented evidence to support this as the Scarborough line has been traced back to Liverpool, Lancashire and Lincolnshire (although that does not rule out a Spanish marriage into that line).
One photograph of Robert ended up in a box of things that were auctioned off in the 1960’s. One of Robert's granddaughters recalls the photograph of him that had been hanging on the landing wall at their family home in Hughenden Avenue, Belfast:
Several family stories have been handed down regarding the origin of Robert’s wife, Isabella Scarborough (below). The most believable was that she was of Spanish descent – however there is no documented evidence to support this as the Scarborough line has been traced back to Liverpool, Lancashire and Lincolnshire (although that does not rule out a Spanish marriage into that line).
One photograph of Robert ended up in a box of things that were auctioned off in the 1960’s. One of Robert's granddaughters recalls the photograph of him that had been hanging on the landing wall at their family home in Hughenden Avenue, Belfast:
"Very handsome, very fair, short back and sides, young (late 30's perhaps), large slightly curled elegant well coiffured moustache, stiff Eaton type collar, and tie, dark jacket and waist-coat with gold watch and chain with The Masons or Jewish star in gold attached. He had a military bearing. Well groomed, looked like second nature to him, was at ease with it. I would say a disciplinarian”
Robert's wife Isabella (my ggm)
The events and relationships described below are based on BMD records and personal accounts, notably those transcribed from an interview with Robert's daughter-in-law in 1998 and my Aunt Clara in 2013. Subsequent to their marriage in 1893, Robert and Isabella (right) had eight children, all born in Belfast:
1894 Edward Scarborough. He died as an infant in the same year.
1895 Gertrude (Gertie). Father was a joiner living at 6 Jaffa Street, Belfast when born. She married James (Jimmy) Nelson and had three children – Renee, Doreen and Robert (Bob). When Bob was a baby and only 6 months old, Gertrude allegedly caught flu. One night, she complained of being thirsty - her husband turned to get her a drink of water and when he turned back she was dead. However, a story recounted by my Aunt Clara was that this was a 'cover up' and she actually died after a self-administered abortion.
1894 Edward Scarborough. He died as an infant in the same year.
1895 Gertrude (Gertie). Father was a joiner living at 6 Jaffa Street, Belfast when born. She married James (Jimmy) Nelson and had three children – Renee, Doreen and Robert (Bob). When Bob was a baby and only 6 months old, Gertrude allegedly caught flu. One night, she complained of being thirsty - her husband turned to get her a drink of water and when he turned back she was dead. However, a story recounted by my Aunt Clara was that this was a 'cover up' and she actually died after a self-administered abortion.
Left to right: Gertrude, John and Clara
1897 John. Nick-named “Jack”, he was born in Shankhill. As a teenager he was full of romantic ideas about battle. At the outbreak of WW1 and despite being underage (16), John joined the navy – his father had to buy him out and brought him home. Several months later he ran off again and joined the army (10th Irish Rifles as Rifleman 15473). A Red Cross letter confirms he was killed in action on 1 July 1916 on the first day of the Somme – he was shot and lay in “No Man’s Land” where his body could not be retrieved and was never found. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial in France. His mother [Isabella] would never accept his death. She wrote to the Home Office, Salvation Army and the Red Cross in an effort to find out about him. Every army band she heard she would run out to see if he was there. She believed he had lost his memory and was not dead. But it was all to no avail. She was granted £3.06p as his pension but she never claimed it. There is a 2-page letter (1 - 2) from John to his parents saying that he had met up with his cousin Fred Scarborough in France some distance from The Front – Fred confirms John is his cousin by referring to John’s father as “Uncle Bob”.
1899 Clara (my grandmother). See below and photograph left.
1899 Clara (my grandmother). See below and photograph left.
George Vickers McWilliams
1901 George Scarborough. He died as an infant in the following year.
1904 George Vickers (left). He was named after his maternal grandfather; George Vickers Scarborough. "Vickers" was commonly used as a middle name in the Scarborough family - although its origin remains unknown it perhaps gives a clue that there could have been a marriage between a Vickers and a Scarborough some time in the past. According to a family member, "He married a girl called Millar. Her family were furniture removers and had their business on the Shore Road, Belfast. They were married for a very short time when he died. She said he never really needed a wife – just a mother. He got a soaking. Did nothing, then developed pneumonia and that was his end. They never had any family”.
1904 George Vickers (left). He was named after his maternal grandfather; George Vickers Scarborough. "Vickers" was commonly used as a middle name in the Scarborough family - although its origin remains unknown it perhaps gives a clue that there could have been a marriage between a Vickers and a Scarborough some time in the past. According to a family member, "He married a girl called Millar. Her family were furniture removers and had their business on the Shore Road, Belfast. They were married for a very short time when he died. She said he never really needed a wife – just a mother. He got a soaking. Did nothing, then developed pneumonia and that was his end. They never had any family”.
Robert McWilliams and Hetty Russell
1906 Robert. He continued the family business on the Limestone Road, Belfast 15. At the height of his business, he employed 15 workmen and office staff. He was a Mason and started out as a carpenter. Robert married Fanny Cohen in 1924, who was from a Russian Jewish family, and had two children. Fanny divorced Robert claiming adultery and abuse after which he lived with Hetty Russell. Robert had six children by Hetty. Robert was a very hard man, who got into trouble regularly with his fists when alcohol was in the mix, which was often. Robert had an inventive mind and a love for gadgets. During the war in particular, he would send his ideas and inventions to the Ministry of Defence. Ideas included a one-man submarine and robot planes among others. Sadly, none of his ideas were ever accepted by the government although the latter are now in use as "drones" by the US and British military. He died from a heart attack in 1956 and is buried with his parents at Carnmoney - Hetty had to be buried in a separate cemetery as there was no room left in the family grave. He was a collector of militaria (bayonets in particular).
Maurice outside his home in Hamilton and an account of his death
1909 Maurice Ambrose (right) whom my father was named after was born in Belfast. He married Jean who ran a sweet shop in Shankhill Road. Maurice was everyone’s favourite and was in the navy. Jean divorced Maurice after she discovered a letter in his trouser pocket and found out he was seeing another woman while working away in Glasgow. Maurice’s second wife was Isabella (Bella) McLean, she was manageress of a Co-op store in Glasgow. They emigrated first to Australia and from there settled in Hamilton, New Zealand; according to the electoral roll for 1963, the couple was living in Clyde Street where Maurice was a carpenter and Isabella was a cashier. From a family member, "he could not bear cigarette smoke and would cross the road whenever he had to pass a pub ... he died after being run over outside a café in Hamilton."
Robert and Isabella were Jewish, however they did not openly practice the faith – Clara was baptised Church of Ireland. Robert was allegedly a member of the Belfast Masonic Lodge. In 1901 the family was living at 43 Windsor Road in south Belfast. Then in 1911 the family was living at 4 Ulsterville Gardens in south Belfast. In 1931, my father's Barnardo record indicates they were living on the coast north of Belfast, in Whitehead.
Robert built many houses in Belfast but specifically six were left to his children; four were in Hughenden Avenue and two in the neighbouring Evelyn Gardens. Number 12 in Hughenden Avenue was the house left to Clara my grandmother – the house was lucky to survive the Belfast Blitz as the neighbouring dwelling was almost entirely destroyed in 1941 (Clara's house is the one in the middle). Robert died on 21 April 1933 after prolonged illness - he is buried at Carnmoney Cemetery (below and map).
Robert built many houses in Belfast but specifically six were left to his children; four were in Hughenden Avenue and two in the neighbouring Evelyn Gardens. Number 12 in Hughenden Avenue was the house left to Clara my grandmother – the house was lucky to survive the Belfast Blitz as the neighbouring dwelling was almost entirely destroyed in 1941 (Clara's house is the one in the middle). Robert died on 21 April 1933 after prolonged illness - he is buried at Carnmoney Cemetery (below and map).
Clara McWilliams 1899 – 1939 (my grandmother)
St Stephen's free church, Millfield
Clara was born on 9 February 1899 at 35 Groomsport Street, Belfast (certificate). She married my grandfather George Henderson in April 1919 at the St Stephen’s Free Church on Millfield. They had five children born between 1920 and 1927 (see Henderson).
After my grandfather was imprisoned for forgery, Clara was granted a divorce on 20th November 1931 and in the following month she visited Barnardos in Hollywood Road. Her intention was to offer all five of her children into care but in the end she had to keep the eldest son and youngest daughter as they were outside of the admission age range. A Barnardos admission document (here) indicates that Clara was living at 267 North Queen Street off Limestone Road. She was paying a rent of £1 per week plus taxes and had been carrying on a small confectioner’s shop.
The Barnardos admission was extended several times between 1931 and 1934 although no indication was recorded as to why nor is there any record that it should become a permanent arrangement. Initially, correspondence between Clara and my father was infrequent but from April 1934 it became a monthly occurrence, sometimes including a postal order or photograph. None of that correspondence survives.
Clara went on to marry Billy Carse, a despatch clerk, after several years of living together. Because they were initially unmarried and my grandfather had been in prison the family moved frequently to avoid recognition (at least six times in four years). As a result, my aunt never stayed at one school for more than 3 years at a time and had little time to develop close friends. Clara had another three children by Billy.
Clara died on 10 August 1939 at the Jubilee Maternity Hospital after giving birth to a daughter - she had initially refused to go to hospital wishing to have a home birth. My aunt still remembers the day – “I went to school and when I came home my mother was dead”.
At the time of her death the family had been living at 48 Vandyck Avenue. Clara's will left everything to Billy - he sold one of the houses to Clara's sister-in-law but the family never received a penny (and the other house disappeared without a trace). My aunt and grandfather did consider contesting the will but did not have enough money to do so.
After my grandfather was imprisoned for forgery, Clara was granted a divorce on 20th November 1931 and in the following month she visited Barnardos in Hollywood Road. Her intention was to offer all five of her children into care but in the end she had to keep the eldest son and youngest daughter as they were outside of the admission age range. A Barnardos admission document (here) indicates that Clara was living at 267 North Queen Street off Limestone Road. She was paying a rent of £1 per week plus taxes and had been carrying on a small confectioner’s shop.
The Barnardos admission was extended several times between 1931 and 1934 although no indication was recorded as to why nor is there any record that it should become a permanent arrangement. Initially, correspondence between Clara and my father was infrequent but from April 1934 it became a monthly occurrence, sometimes including a postal order or photograph. None of that correspondence survives.
Clara went on to marry Billy Carse, a despatch clerk, after several years of living together. Because they were initially unmarried and my grandfather had been in prison the family moved frequently to avoid recognition (at least six times in four years). As a result, my aunt never stayed at one school for more than 3 years at a time and had little time to develop close friends. Clara had another three children by Billy.
Clara died on 10 August 1939 at the Jubilee Maternity Hospital after giving birth to a daughter - she had initially refused to go to hospital wishing to have a home birth. My aunt still remembers the day – “I went to school and when I came home my mother was dead”.
At the time of her death the family had been living at 48 Vandyck Avenue. Clara's will left everything to Billy - he sold one of the houses to Clara's sister-in-law but the family never received a penny (and the other house disappeared without a trace). My aunt and grandfather did consider contesting the will but did not have enough money to do so.
On 29th January 1972[4] a car bomb destroyed the R. McWilliams store. It did not reopen and, after demolition, is now a small open park.
In early 2013, I recorded an interview with my aunt and she spoke at length of the McWilliams side of the family. A transcript of that interview is below.
[1] There is strong anecdotal evidence to corroborate this marriage - I have a living relative named Colin Miniss McWilliams.
[2] The address was often abbreviated to 280 Limestone Road
[3] Not used
[4] The day before the infamous Bloody Sunday.
[2] The address was often abbreviated to 280 Limestone Road
[3] Not used
[4] The day before the infamous Bloody Sunday.