My Ancestors Stories

My 2 x great grandmother, Maggie (or Margaret Jane) Moore was born c1873, presumably in County Down, Ireland. Despite an exhaustive search, a birth certificate and confirmation of her parentage have not yet been found, or have they? Believed to be Margaret Jane Conway nee Moore, seated on right with daughter, Margaret Jane Martin nee Conway on left and grandchildren, William, Robert and Sarah Martin c1916.   What do we know about Maggie? Maggie married Robert Conway on 09 February, 1892 at Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church in Bangor when she was 19 years of age. Robert was a driver of a post car, Maggie had no occupation. Both were of Conlig and the witnesses were Samuel Gamble and Anna Bella Clark. The other key information was that Maggie was the illegitimate daughter of Thomas Spence, a labourer!  Marriage Certificate - Robert Conway and Maggie Moore - 1892   When Maggie and Robert's daughter, Margaret Jane was born later that year, Maggie's maiden name was given a...

I remember my maternal grandfather as being a larger than life character. In trying to think of a word to describe him, the word adventurous comes to mind. The characteristics of an adventurous personality include: throwing caution to the wind venturing where most fear to tread not being bound by the same terrors and worries that limit others living on the edge challenging boundaries and restrictions pitting yourself against your own mortality As I've looked back on his life, I think that was pretty accurate! Early Life Robert Conway Martin was born on 10 May 1914 in the small coastal town of Stevenston, Ayrshire the second son of Irish immigrants, James Martin and Margaret Jane Conway who had married in 1912. Believed to be Robert (in middle) with his mother, Margaret Jane Conway, brother Willie, grandmother, Maggie Moore and sister, Sarah. c1916. Colourised courtesy MyHeritage. Stevenston, is one of the 'Three Towns' along with Ardrossan and Saltc...