Hello all, my name is Richard Smith and i am from the United States of America. I am looking for family who may still live in the Newry Downs area of Northern Ireland. I feel a deep connection to Ireland culture because of my heritage though i dont know much about it. My great grandfather was from Newry. His name is Robert Owen Hughes or Owen Robert Hughes. I have found it both ways in US cencus. It also states that he was Catholic. His fathers name is Robert Hughes also from Newry and The only name i can find for mother is Agness and it says she is from Wales England. He was born in or around 1880 and came to teh US at age 14. I do not know if he had any brothers or sisters because that is where my trail runs cold. Please let me know if you have any more information or any of the names sound familiar. thank you for your time.
Wednesday 19th Feb 2014, 02:23PM
Message Board Replies
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Hi Richard,
It does NOT appear that this family is related as your great grandfather Robert Owen Hughes is born in 1880 and the two Roberts below are born in 1869 and 1897. I am providing the info below in the case your HUGHES family and the one below are related and also just to get some visibility for other HUGHES researchers.
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I have been researching a HUGHES family from Newry for a dear friend (a priest who lives in Ireland). He visits USA in summer as an exchange priest in my parish in Southern California. He is very interested in making contact with his USA relatives. Here is the oldest HUGHES birth record we could find for his family (twins):
- Robert b. 12 MAY 1869 at Castle Street, Newry to Mary HUGHES and reported by Esther SHEALS present at birth of Chapel Street, registered 1 JUN 1869 and recorded by Robert Johnston (registrar)
- Mary, twin of Robert, same details above
This Robert HUGHES of Castle Street, Newry was married 11 JAN 1896 to Anne McAteer of Church Street, Newry. Robert lists his father as Robert (dead) a laborer. Anne McAteer lists her father as Patrick McAteer (also dead) but a tradesman.
- This couple has a son Robert born 20 DEC 1897 at 20 CHURCH STREET and a daughter Mary Catherine born 12 DEC 1898 and Robert now lists his address as 2 UPPER COWAN STREET where daughter was born. From the 1901 census we can see this couple lives with Robert's mother in law and his mother in law has a niece and nephew also living there (her dead sister's kids Ellen O'Brien (11) and Patrick O'Brien (10). [I chased Patrick down to New York and to California where he dies. My priest friend met this man Patrick O'Brien in California in 1970]
This Robert HUGHES (of Church Street - now a widower) marries again to a Rose E. DOYLE on 4 FEB 1902 and still lists his father as Robert HUGHES (deceased) a Labourer and Rose lists her father as John DOYLE also a Labourer
- From the 1911 census we can see this couple has three daughters (Rose Ellen (8), Margaret Ann (4), Elizabeth (6 mo.) and one son Patrick Francis (6). All show being born in Co Down except Elizabeth (b. Co Armagh). The marriage is reported to be in its 9th year with 4 children born alive and 4 children still living.
NOTE: I am the parish liaison for Feakle Parish, east county Clare. If you would like me to make contact for you or provide you with contact info for the HUGHES priest friend of mine, let me know at JPMTCC@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
James McNamara
Friday 21st Feb 2014, 06:11AM -
Hello,
My husbands grandfather was born july 6, 1880 in Newbry Downs Ireland. His grandfathers name was Owen Robert Hughes. Owen Robert Hughes was born to Robert & Agness Hughes.
We also live in America & my husband's name is Robert Hughes.
Write back and I will see if I can give you any other ifo.
Carolyn Hughes
Thursday 3rd Apr 2014, 07:38PM