Oakman of IrelandPieces of the Puzzle |
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With Scotland being so close to Northern Ireland it isn't surprising to find some of our "Irish Oakmans" living there.
In the 1870s we find Caroline McClelland (nee Oakman) and her family in Glasgow, and Edward Oakman in Greenock.
By 1881, we also have Robert Oakman and his brother James Oakman.
Ann Jane Mills (nee Oakman) and her family were also in Scotland by the late 1800s. As was Maria Johnston (nee Oakman).
Nathaniel John Oakman was with the British Army and spent time in both England and Scotland.
There was also James Alexander Oakman, son of Robert and Margaret Oakman of Belfast, who settled in Scotland prior to 1924.
By the early 1870s, Caroline Oakman of Co Armagh and her husband Joseph McClelland were living in Glasgow where Joseph worked as a labourer. They had married at Annaghmore Church of Ireland, County Armagh, in 1867. Their first two children (Thomas and Joseph) were born in Co Armagh, while later children (Robert, Wilson, Ann, John and Caroline) were all born in Scotland.
Edward Oakman was living in West Burn Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire when he married Mary Summers (nee O'Neill), a widow, in November 1879. Edward was the son of William Oakman, a Timber Merchant's Labourer, and Susan Coyle. Edward's marriage certificate tells us his father was still alive but his mother had died. Edward's age is provided on the certificate, and though difficult to decipher it could be "25", making his year of birth to be 1852. He was working as a Journeyman Tailor - a tailor who had completed his apprenticeship, and though not in a financial position to own his own business, he was entitled to ply his trade independently - what we currently call a "sub-contractor".
1881 Census records tell us Edward was working as a Coat Maker Tailor and living at 83 Green Street, Greenock with his wife, Mary, and her 7 year old daughter, Sarah Jane Harkins.
In 1884, Edward and Mary's eldest son, William John Oakman, was born. William John married Mary Girvan in 1909 and died in Galston in 1955.
Another son, Edward Oakman (jr), was born in on 8 May 1888 at 4 St Joseph's Place in Glasgow. Sadly, baby Edward died from complications following a 5-day bout of diarrhoea - he was just 2 months old.
This must have been a very difficult time for Edward. His baby son died, and just one month later, so did his wife. Mary contracted tuberculosis during her pregnancy and died a month after baby Edward had passed away.
By 1891 Edward was working as a Tailor, and was living in a lodging house at 132 Irongate St, Glasgow — the Census record lists him as unmarried. On 28 June 1903, Edward's heart failed and he was found dead at his lodging house at 179 Great Hamilton Street, Glasgow.
Edward and Mary's son, William John, married Mary Girvan on 16 July 1902 at Saint Sophia's Chapel in Galson, County Ayre. William was working as a Coal Miner and living in Garden St, Galston. He was still living in Galston when he died in 1955 and was a Fish and Chip Merchant. We know he and Mary had a daughter as it was William son-in-law, James Hood, who was the informant on William's death certificate. William had died from heart disease.
Robert was born abt 1858 to William Oakman, farmer, and Eliza Elliott. William and Eliza had married at Loughgall Church of Ireland in County Armagh in 1855. It is likely Robert was born in or near Loughgall.
We first find Robert in Scotland at the time of the 1881 Census. He was working as a Drysalters Labourer and living with his brother, James in the home of their uncle, John Ward and his wife Ann Elliott.
Robert married Sussana McCreary (or McGeary) in the Congregational Church on St John's Road on 22 January 1886. By this time his occupation was that of Coal Merchant. Witnesses to this marriage were Henrietta Young and John Mills.
By the time the 1891 Census was taken, Robert was a self-employed Coal Dealer. He and Susanna were living at 4 Ritchie St, Glasgow. Living with them was Robert's cousin, John Elliott - a coal riddler - possibly employed by Robert. Another coal riddler, Robert White and 16 year old stable boy, Alexander McGregor were also living with them.
In 1901 Robert and Susanna were living at 69 Butterbiggins Road, Glasgow. Robert and his brother James appear to have been in partnership as Coal Merchants. In their employ were 21 year old coal salesman, John McGregor, and 72 year old stableman, John Elliott (uncle to Robert and James).
The 1911 Census of Ireland tells us that Robert and Susannah were living in Annaghmore, Co Armagh in 1911. Robert is listed as a 55 year old farmer who was born in Co Armagh. Susannah's place of birth is given as County Down - she was 44 years old in 1911. Living with them is their "adopted child", Mary Peacock, who was 13 years of age and had been born in Glasgow, Scotland.
Susanna died in 1921. Robert died from cancer on 20 July 1932 at 1301 Govan Road, Glasgow. He was 75 years old.
Robert and Susannah do not appear to have had any children.
In 1881, 20 year old James Oakman was working as a tramway company's labourer. He was living with his brother Robert at the home of their uncle, John Ward, and his wife Ann Elliott and their family at 10 Francis Street, Govan, Lanark, Scotland. James was the son of William Oakman and Eliza Elliott who had married at the Loughgall Church of Ireland in County Armagh in 1855. James was born about 1851, probably in or near Loughgall in County Armagh.
James later worked as a Coal Dealer and was 26 when married his cousin Mary (Minnie) Ward, daughter of John and Ann. Their marriage took place on 11 November 1887 at Pollockshields (South Glasgow).
In 1891, James and Minnie were living at 3 Francis St, Glasgow with their children Robert (born abt 1889) and Ann (born 1890). Living with them was James' mother, Eliza Oakman (nee Elliott).
By the time of the 1901 Census, James and Minnie were living at 69 Butterbiggins Road in Glasgow. James and his brother Robert were neighbours and worked together as Coal Merchants. Living with James and Minnie were their children - Robert, Annie, Willie, Elizabeth, Minnie and Susanna.
Minnie died in 1928 and James followed her on 4 January 1939. He was 77 years old, living at 72 Holmhead Road, Glasgow, and died from heart disease.
James and Minnie's children:
Ann Jane Oakman was born abt 1834 to Robert Oakman, Medical Practitioner, and Sarah Thomson. It is possible that Ann was born in County Armagh, as she married James Mills at Loughgall Church of Ireland on 27 January 1854.
Ann and James had a least three children - twins - Francis and George who were born about 1881 in Ireland and Thomas (who was present at his father's death in 1900). Ann, James and the twins were living in Possilpark, Glasgow in 1891. James Mills worked as a Building Contractor, with twin sons working with him.
Ann Jane was widowed by the time the 1901 Census came around. She was still living in Possilpark - at 32 Balmore Street. Living with her was her grandson, 20 year old James Mills, an Ironpipe Moulder. Boarding with them was 18 year old Alexander Brown, an Iron Moulder.
Ann Jane died on 31 December 1917 at Tennent Street, Coatbridge in North Lanarkshire. She was 83 years of age and died from Bronchitis and Senility. One of her sons was the information on the death certificate - possibly Francis (difficult to decipher). He was living at 4 Elphinstone St, Govan at the time. Ann's death certificate states she was the widow of James Mills, Hospital Gardener. James had died in February 1900. Thomas Mills, their son, was the informant on his father's death certificate - he was living at 86 Bardowie St, Glasgow at the time.
Maria Oakman was born in Dungannon Parish, County Tyrone between 1868-1872. She was the daughter of William Oakman, farmer, and Mary Willerton. Maria worked as a Dressmaker and married Joseph Johnston, a Fireman from Bohard in Country Tyrone on 10 August 1894. Witnesses to this marriage were James and Elizabeth Stevenson.
Maria and Joseph were living in Motherwell, Scotland by 1901 where Joseph worked as an Ironworker. Maria died on 24 January 1911 at Thorn Street, Motherwell. Cause of death of Bronchial Asthma and Cardiac Failure.
Children of Maria and Joseph - Katherin, James, Joseph, Annie and Gordon.
Nathaniel John was born 4 May 1869 at Rathmines, Dublin. He was the son of John Oakman and Elizabeth McGarrity. Both Nathaniel and his father had joined the British Army. Nathaniel was with his parents and baby sister, Margaret, at Stoke Demerel in Devonport, England in 1871 and likely with them in Kildare, Ireland in 1881 where his brother Edmund William was born.
By 1892, Nathaniel was working as a Marine Engineer and living at 41 West Burn St, Greenoch, Scotland. He married Margaret (Margret) McMaster on 12 April 1892.
Their first child was born in Belfast - Adelaide Elizabeth Oakman was born sometime between Jan-Mar 1893. Nathaniel and Margaret were living in Scotland by the time their next child was born - Frances Oakman was born in Govan, Lanarkshire in 1899.
The family then moved to Devonport, England, where Nathaniel worked as an Engine Fitter. They had another child - Faith Mary Oakman, who was to go by the name Mary in later years, who was born about December 1900. Margaret appears to have died shortly afterwards as by March 1901 when the 1901 UK Census was taken, John was widowed and living at 12 Worleigh Avenue with daughters Frances (2 yrs old) and Faith Mary (3 mths old). Also living with them was Eliza Anderson - their 49 year old servant. Where was John's eldest child, Adelaide?
It wasn't long before the family returned to live in Scotland. On 21 June 1902, Nathaniel married again on 21 June 1902 at the United Free Church on 13 Princes Square, Glasgow. By this time, Nathaniel was 30 years old and living at 12 Tower Street, Kinning Park, Glasgow. His new bride was 26 year old Susan Ord, a domestic servant.
In 1908 Nathaniel married for a third time. His next wife's name was Isabella Yeaman (nee Miller) and their marriage took place on 29 January 1908 in Glasgow. Their marriage certificate tells us both Nathaniel and Isabella were widowed. I have not found a death certificate for Susan but presumably she had died.
1911 saw the death of Nathaniel's eldest daughter. Adelaide Elizabeth Oakman had been suffering from Fibroid Disease of the Lung for 3-4 months and was just 18 years old when she died.
It is not yet known when or where Nathaniel John died. No trace has been found of them beyond 1911 when Adelaide died. Daughter Mary appears to have remained in Scotland - she married Hugh Morrison in 1929 at St Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Glasgow and died in 1975. No trace has been found of Frances.
Note: On Nathaniel John's marriage certificates as well as his death certificate, his mother's name is listed as Elizabeth Montgomery. I believe this is incorrect. Nathaniel's mother was Elizabeth McGarrity. His father, John, married Elizabeth McGarrity in 1865. It was John's mother who had the surname Montgomery - his parents having been John Oakman and Sarah Montgomery who married about 1840.
James Alexander Oakman was born in Northern Ireland in 1868. He was the eldest son of Robert Oakman, a Railway Checker, and Margaret McClarnon.
We first find James in Scotland on the 1901 Census. He was working as a Quay Labourer and lodging at the home of Mary Orr, a widow, with her children Maria (28 yrs) and William (32 yrs) - all born in Ireland.
James married Margaret Orr (possibly Maria Orr mentioned above) in Glasgow on 14 September 1908. He was working as a General Labourer and living a 2 Canal Street, Clydebank. Maria died in 1923 and the following year, James married again to Isabella Griffen on 29 September 1924. His married certificate states he was a Shipyard Storekeeper and lived at 6 North Bank Street, Clydebank, Glasgow.
James was the older brother of Charles Yates Oakman, Joseph Albert Oakman and Annie Mulligan who emigrated to the US in the early 1900s. Other siblings were Robert John Oakman, Sarah Ann Oakman, George William Oakman and Margaret Ann Maria Oakman - all of whom were born in Belfast in the 1870s and 1880s.
James Alexander Oakman died on 9 February 1953 at his home - 6 North Bank Street, Clydebank. His wife, Isabella, had died the previous year. James' death certificate states he was 84 years old, formerly a Shipyard Storeman, and had died from Coronary Thrombosis. His nephew, John William Brown of 1Kitchener Street, Clydebank, was the informant.
Did James Alexander Oakman have any children? If you know the answer to this question, please contact me.
