Updated: 16 March, 2008

John & Annie Wilkinson

John Wilkinson (1879-1952) was the third child of Thomas and Margaret and the only one to reach adulthood. He was born on 18 January, 1879 at Coolkill Townland, Benburb Division, Clonfeacle Parish, Tyrone County, Ulster Province, Ireland - near the Blackwater River. The International Geaneology Index [IGI/British Isles-1, film batch#C010047] gives the birth date as 1 Feb 1879 which I suspect is a christening date as the January on the Birth Record is confirmed by the entry in the family Bible.

John and brother Thomas (2) moved with their parents to Belfast sometime before 1900 and certainly after 1880. By May 1900 they lived at 49 Derwent Street, Belfast. John married Annie Florence Abernethy at the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Belmont, Holywood, Co. Down, on 28 March, 1907. Despite being married Presbyterian, John and Annie regularly attended St Donard's C of I, Bloomfield, as did their children, throughout their married life.

Grandfather John joined the Loyal Orange Lodge (sister Rosemary has the sash) and so would have had strong protestant sympathies, yet I can find neither his nor grandmother Annie's signatures on either the Ulster Covenant or Declaration (1912). They lived at 29 Cheviot Ave, Holywood, Belfast by 1912 where their first 2 children were born: John Abernethy Wilkinson (1908-1992) and Anna Mary Wilkinson (Maisie) (1910-1991). When their third, Thomas, arrived later (1914-1990) the family lived at 10 Ulsterdale St., Bloomfield, Belfast. Sometime later they moved to Ballystockart and lived on a small farm, where my father and his brother and sister grew up. However, by the mid '20s they were back in Belfast at 14 Clonlee Drive, Bloomfield, where they remained until the end of their days.

But what about the Abernethys? It is said that grandmother Annie was adopted and the census of 1901 gives her birth place as Dublin. I recall her as a kind, caring and gentle person, quite tolerant of my rough and boyish ways. She and my mother got on well for the 5 years we lived with them during WW2.

Annie's parents were James Abernethy and Annie Clark. In 1901 they lived at 121 Belmont Road, Holywood, Belfast and by 1907 had moved to Orminston, Belfast. James is listed as being born in Tyrone, 1855. Funny how that area keeps croping up in my ancestry. Annie Clark was born 1864, in Co .Meath. Annie had a sister Dolly.

Some family photos:

• Ballystockart School where John Abernethy Wilkinson, Anna Mary Wilkinson and Thomas Wilkinson all attended. I recall my father saying he didn't like school and preferred to feed the farm animals.
• 14 Clonlee Drive, Bloomfield. (2003)
• John and Annie Wilkinson at the front door of 14 Clonlee Drive, Bloomfield, Belfast. Early 1940s.
• John and Annie at Tivoli Terrace, Dunlaoghaire.
• Annie Abernethy as a young girl. Circa 1900.
• Annie Abernethy with her mother Annie Clark
• Gran's parents James & Annie Abernethy
• Annie Abernethy with son Tom, circa 1914.
• (L to R)James Abernethy?, Dolly Abernethy, Annie Clark, Annie Abernethy