Tommy, Elizabeth and Billy McGarvey

More details on the first three of the twelve children of my Great Grandparents James and Mary Ann McGarvey.

The eldest child was Thomas James McGarvey born in Belfast on 9th December 1897 and died around 1980. He is listed on both the 1901 and 1911 censuses with his parents in Bute Street and then in Seaview Street.  He remained in North Belfast living most of his life in Hillman Street. In 1911 he is listed on the census as a roller boy, probably in Jennymount Mill, at age 12. 

He married Florence and had at least 5 children, one of which was little Colin, who died when he was only 3 months old.  He is buried in the Public Ground in Belfast City Cemetery, and therefore has no known grave.     

Colin McGarvey burial record

Thomas fought in the First World War and his name is listed on the Presbyterian Rolls of Honour for Castleton. The family story is that he lied about his age on his enlistment documents, however I have been unable to confirm this.  I have various Medal Roll index cards but can't ascertain which one belongs to this Thomas McGarvey.   

I don't want to publish any more recent information but if you think you may know a related McGarvey, please do get in touch. Names associated with this McGarvey line are Stringer, Levine and Gowdy.

The second eldest child of James and Mary Ann McGarvey was Elizabeth McGarvey born in 1900.  She is also listed with her parents in both the 1901 and 1911 censuses in Bute Street and Seaview Street.  She died aged 20 on 31st March and was buried in Belfast City Cemetery (Glenalina Extension).

Elizabeth McGarvey burial record

The third child was William John McGarvey or Billy as he was known.  He was born in 1901 and is aged only 3 months on the 1901 census in Bute Street.  Like the first two children, he is listed in the 1911 census in Seaview Street.  He married Kathleen Gordon Kinghorn on 18 January 1921 in St. Anne's Church, Belfast (now St Anne's Cathedral).

Kathleen Gordon Kinghorn

They had 3 children, James (Jim), Jean and Dorothy (Dolly).  The family also lived in Seaview Street where Dolly died when she was only 15 months old.

Dolly McGarvey burial record

She is buried in the City Cemetery with her Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Robert.  The family moved to Fortwilliam Crescent which is where I grew up.  While Great Uncle Billy had already died before I was born, Great Aunt Kathleen and her children Jim and Jean are the only McGarveys of the older generation that I remember clearly.  I know a little more about Aunt Kathleen's Kinghorn line which I will post at a future date.       

I will continue with the next three children of James and Mary Ann shortly.
Please get in touch if you think you're part of my family tree!

Cheers

Karen
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