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This Lineage Last Updated
June 2021
John Shirley
of Risk, Mullamore, Ballygawley born about 1836 in
Ireland; At times of his children's births, John Shirley was
known as a bleacher and labourer of Mullamore; He died in 1897,
age 61 Coleraine, Aghadowey, Londonderry; The
administration of his estate occured in 1899 at Ballygawley Aghadowey
Londonderry
1899 - Administration (with the Will) of the personal estate
of John Shirley late of Ballygawley Aghadowey County Londonderry
Farmer who died 13 February 1897 granted at Londonderry to Matilda
Shirley of Ballygawley Widow the Universal Legatee for Life.
Date Of Death: 13/02/1897 Date Of Grant: 20/11/1899 Effects:
Effects £261 Registry: Londonderry Londonderry Registry
of wills
I John Shirley of Ballygawley being sick do make this my
last will and testement bequeth my farm and chattle to my beloved
wife Matilda Shirley with all that I now possess during her natural
life; My son Patrick Shirley is to take care of the farm for
his mother and at her death he becomes the owner of said farm
by paying to my son Francis Shirley L20 pounds sterling and to
my son James Shirley L10 pounds stirling and to my son John Shirley
L20 pounds stirling and to my son Bernard Shirley L20 pounds
stirling and to my daughter Matilda Shirley alias Stewart L5
pounds stirling and to my son Joseph Shirley L5 pounds sitirling
to be paid of the farm by Patrick Shirley aforesaid at my wife's
death or by her request, dated this the 10th February one thousand
eight hundred and ninety seven - John X Shirley Wit: Joseph McAllister,
James Martin. Probate 20 Nov 1899.
Married Matilda Dempsey, born 1834 at Coleraine, Aghadowey,
Londonderry. Enumerated at Ballygawley Aghadowey Londonderry
in 1901 census Age: 67. Roman Catholic; She died 13 September
1917 at Ballygawley age 73, farmer's widow, her son Patrick Shirley
informant at death
children:
2(i). Robert Shirley born 1857 Coleraine, Aghadowey,
Londonerry. He was married with children, enumerated at Greenock
Renfrewshire in the 1881 census, age 26; According to family,
Robert died 1 January 1882 age 25 at Greenock, Renfrewshire,
Scotland. His body was found washed ashore near Dunoon. Shirleys of Scotland
Robert Shirley, labourer, 12 Nile Street, Greenock, missing
since 31st December 1881, body found at Blairmore Pier on 6th
February 1882 age 45 (Greenock Advertiser & Greenock Telegraph
9.2.1882) (The news article reporting
his death says he was age 45, thus born 1837, which would disallow
being the son of John and Matilda Dempsey; However, the street
address matches 1881 census household)
Married Jane Hunter on 3 February 1876 at St. Marys,
Greenock Scotland; She was age 27 in husband's 1881 census household;
She remarried Samuel Kernaghan/Kernohan in 1888 after the death
of husband Robert Shirley. The mixed family was enumerated at
Renfrewshire in 1891 census, address 10 Nile Street
children:
3(i). John Shirley born 1877 at Greenock Renfrewshire
Scotland, age 4 in 1881 census; age 14 and living with mother
and stepfather in 1891 census; Married with child, age 24 enumerated
at Greenock Renfrewshire in 1901 census, occupation: ship litter;
They were enumerated at Troon in 1911 census, age 34, occupation
ship plater
Caution: other researchers have connected
this John Shirley to a different set of parents
Email Sept 2011: I am Margaret Shirley b 1953 daughter
and twin brother John, of Arthur Shirley b 1921 Troon, married
Agnes Carruth in 1951, and died in Paisley 1992, who was the
6th son of John Shirley b 1876. who married by gran Helena Donnelly
in 1899 in Greenock and had 6 sons and 3 daughters - names can
be provided if need be. I would like to find out more about by
Great grandfather Robert who died in 1882 his body being found
washed up on shore near Dunoon
Email from Colleen July 2024: My great grandfather was
John Shirley born in Aghadowey, Coleraine in 1877. His parents
were John Shirley and Matilda Dempsey. He moved to Greenock in
Scotland where he met and married my great grandmother, Helena
Donnelly. They moved to Harbour Road in Troon in East Ayrshire.
My gran was Helena Shirley, sister to Isabella, Amelie Veronica
(Vera), Thomas Edward(Ned), Thomas Donnelly ( Donny), Robert
(Bob), Francis(Frank) and Arthur. I am not aware of a brother
called John. My great grandfather died in 1961 in the house in
Troon and my great grandmother died in 1965 in Nazareth House,
Kilmarnock. They were called mama and papa Shirley by my mum
and her siblings. My gran Helena Shirley, married John McCluskey
from Dundonald in Ayrshire.
married Helena Donnelly in 1899 in Greenock Scotland;
Her father Thomas Donnelly lived with Helena and John Shirley
in 1901 census
children:
4(i). John Shirley born about 1900 at Greenock Renfrewshire,
age 7 months in 1901 census, age 10 in 1911 census
4(ii). Isabella Shirley born 31 May 1903 at Renfrewshire
Scotland; age 7 in 1911 census; She married Patrick Trainor
4(iii). Thomas Edward (Ned) Shirley born about 1906
at Greenock Renfrewshire, age 5 in 1911 census; He died 30 September
1992, age 86, buried at Troon Cemetery, South Ayrshire Scotland
married Annie Arkison
4(iv). Robert Shirley born about 1908 at Greenock Renfrewshire,
age 3 in 1911 census
4(v). Helena Shirley born about 1910 at Greenock Renfrewshire,
age 1 in 1911 census
4(vi). son Shirley
4(vii). son Shirley
4(viii). Arthur Shirley born 1921 Troon Scotland; died
in Paisley Scotland 1992; married Agnes Carruth in 1951.
4(ix). daughter Shirley
3(ii). Robert Shirley born about 1879 at Greenock,
Renfrewshire, age 2 in 1881 census; age 12 living with mother
and stepfather in 1891 census; untraced after this
3(ii). Francis Shirley born 12 May 1882 at Greenock,
Renfrewshire, Scotland; He was not living with mother and
stepfather in 1891 census in Renfrewshire; Likely the Francis
Shirley "grandson" who was living age: 19 in grandmother
Matilda Shirley's 1901 census household in Ballygawley, Londonderry
Northern Ireland; He died at Troon Scotland; Not located in
1911 census as yet
Married Elizabeth Trainor
Francis Shirley, Elizabeth Trainor and son John Shirley
2(ii). Francis Shirley born about 1861 Ireland; enumerated
in brother Robert Shirley's 1881 census household in Greenock,
Renfrewshire Scotland, age 20; He inherited L20 in the will of
his father in 1899.
2(iii). James Shirley born 1 January 1862 in Ireland,
enumerated in brother Robert Shirley's 1881 census household
in Greenock, Renfrewshire Scotland, age 28; Not located in
1891 census as yet; He inherited L10 in the will of his father
in 1899; He was age 38 living in Greenock East, Renfrewshire
in 1901 census, occupation shipyard labourer. Not located
in 1911 census as yet; He died in 29 November 1944, age 82
at Inchgreen St Greenock Renfrewshire (death cert); Shirleys of Scotland
married 1) Agnes McNicol on 20 August 1883 at St Mary's
Greenock Renfrewshire; She was age 28 in 1891 census household;
Not enumerated with family in 1901 census; She died in 1893
1883 Aug 20 - St Mary's Greenock - Marriage between James
Shirley 21 shipyard labourer, bachelor son of John Shirley labourer
and wife Matilda nee Dempsey to Agnes McNickol 19, spinster dau
of Patrick McNicol, labourer and wife Elizabeth nee Boyle, deceased
married 2) Margaret Ritchie on 1 January 1896 at Port
Glasgow Renfrewshire (identified as 2nd wife in death
cert of James Shirley)
married 3) Jessie Ann Wilson on 1 January 1902 at Port
Glasgow Renfrewshire (identified as 2nd wife in death cert of
James Shirley)
children:
3(i). John Shirley born about 1884 at Renfrewshire,
Scotland, age 7 in family's 1891 census household; age 17, living
in father's 1901 census household; He died in 1956 Age: 73
Married Anne Coventry
children:
4(i). Margaret Shirley b ___ she married William Mckenzie.
She died in 1981, aged just 67
"Margaret or Meg as she was more fondly known was
James' son John Shirley's and Annie Coventry's daughter . In
total John and Annie had 11 children, only 5 of them lived to
adult hood." - Lorraine Smith, 2013
3(ii). Matilda Shirley born about 1886 in Greenock
Renfrewshire Scotland, age 5 in 1891 census; age 15, living in
father's 1901 census household; She married Thomas Kerr. They
lived in Bridgeton, Glasgow, she died in 1958, aged 75. They
had one son called James , age unknown. (source: Lorraine
Smith, 2013)
3(iii). Elizabeth Shirley born about 1887 at Renfrewshire,
Scotland, age 4 in 1891 census; age 14, living in father's 1901
census household;
3(iv). Francis Shirley born 1889 at Renfrewshire, Scotland,
age 2 in 1891 census; age 13, living in father's 1901 census
household;
3(v). Charles Shirley born about 1897 at Renfrewshire,
Scotland, age 4 in father's 1901 census household; He died in
1928
2(iv). Alexander Patrick Shirley aka
Alexander Patrick Stanley baptised 1 August 1863 at
the Catholic Church in Coleraine parish to John Shirley and Matilda
Dempsey (as Patrick Shirley); He inherited his father's farm
at Ballygawley in 1899, age 34 in mother's 1901 census household,
farmer, Catholic; He was the informant at the death of his mother
Matilda Shirley in 1917. He died 26 November 1946 at Ballygawley
Aghadowey Londonderry.
1 Aug 1863 Alexander Shirley baptised s/o John Shirley
'Risk' and Matilda Dempsey at Aghadowey, Coleraine (Catholic);
Sponsor ----, Teresa Dempsey
Shirley (otherwise Stanley) Alexander Patrick of Ballygawley
Aghadowey county Londonderry farmer died 26 November 1946 Administration
Belfast 4 July to John Stanley retired cycle merchant. Effects
£197 19s. 7d.
2(v). John Shirley aka John Stanley
born 1 September 1869 at Coleraine, Aghadowey, Londonderry. Catholic.
Baptised on 12 September 1869. He inherited L20 in the will of
his fatther in 1899; Enumerated in 1901 census: age: 32 Residence
Greenock East, Renfrewshire, Scotland. In 1911 census, he is
enumerated at Coleraine Northern Ireland, occupation cycle manufacturer.
Evidence suggests that he is the John STANLEY enumerated in
Aghadowey Londonderry Ireland in the 1911 census (see email posted
at bottom of this page, and email next)
12 Sept 1869 John Shirley baptised s/o John Shirley and
Matilda Dempsey at Aghadowey, Coleraine (Catholic); Sponsors
Wm? McKee, Margt McKee
2018 Email from Max - I have some information that may
be of interest to enquirers who have posted information on your
site relating to John Shirley / Stanley of Aghadowey, born about
1870. He was my great-grandfather. My father, who lived in his
house in Aghadowey around the time of WW2, gave me details about
him twenty years ago. He was said to have been born John Shirley,
but changed his name to Stanley while at sea, to assume the papers
of a more qualified colleague. One of the ships he worked on
was the White Star Line's SS Gothic. His wife was born in Bermuda
where her father, a soldier, was then stationed. In the late
1890s he lived in Silvertown, London, where a daughter, Kathleen
Rosa (my grandmother) was born in September 1897.
I have always taken this [photo] to be my great-grandfather
John Stanley (Shirley) as a younger man....Comparing him with
the photo where John Stanley (Shirley) can definitely be identified
(with wife and 2 children) – (see below) – I think
this is right. If this is Matilda, his mother, she would be in
her late 60s, and would be a widow by now (her husband John Shirley
having died in 1897). However, if you or any other descendants
have other opinions, I would be interested to know.
 Believed
to be John Shirley aka Stanley presumably with his mother Matilda
Shirley (Family source: Max) |
 John
Shirley aka Stanley with wife and 2 children, circa 1910
(Family source: Max) |
married Katherine _______ age 35 in 1911 census household;
born West Indies
children: SURNAME: STANLEY
3(i). Catherine (Kathleen Rosa) Stanley born September
1897 in England, age 13 in 1911 census
3(ii). John Stanley born about 1903 in England, age
8 in 1911 census
2(vi). Bernard Shirley born 31 December 1872 at Mullamore
Londonderry, son of John Shirley and wife Matilda Dempsey; He
inherited L5 in the will of his father in 1899. Did he use
the surname Stanley in 1911 census?
1872 December 31 - Aughadowey Reg. Dist - Bernard Shirley
born to John Shirley labourer of Mullamore and wife Matilda Dempsey;
Susan Ham of Mullamore was informant at birth
2(vii). Matilda Shirley born 30 April 1874 at Mullamore,
Aghadowey, Londonderry, daughter of John Shirley and Matilda
Dempsey; She inherited 5L in the will of her father in 1899.
30 April 1874 at Aughadowey Reg Dist - Matilda Shirley
born to John Shirley, labourer of Mullamore and wife Matilda
Dempsey; Father was informant at birth
married Robert Stewart 26 February 1895 at St Mary's
Roman Catholic Church, Aghadowey, Coleraine, Londonderry, Joseph
Shirley, witness.
Email Jan 2012 - Dear Sir - I have recently restarted researching
my family history and came across your page on the Shirley Family
Association. John Shirley, born 1836, Aghadowey, who married
Matilda Dempsey, were also my Great Great GrandParents. Their
daughter, Matilda,who married Robert Stewart, had 3 sons, and
5 daughters. My grandfather, Francis James (Frank) Stewart, was
the youngest at 1 year old at the 1911 census. To my knowledge,
the 3 boys went to the states (Inglewood, New Jersey) where my
Granda met my Grandmother. They moved back to Derry City, where
they lived the rest of their lives. They both passed away 2 years
ago aged 98. I heard the eldest brother Robert was murdered in
the states in a restaurant. I also heard John stayed in the states
and was a policeman with a family. Thank you for your info and
if i gather anything else i will pass it on. - Colin Stewart
2(viii). Joseph Shirley born 20 March 1876 at Mullamore
Londonderry, son of John Shirley and Matilda Dempsey; He inherited
L5 in the will of his father in 1899.
20 March 1876 Aughadowey Reg Dist - Joseph Shirley born
to John Shirley labourer of Mullamore and wife Matilda Dempsey;
Susan Kane was informant at birth
Research
1881 Scotland Census - Renfrewshire - Greenock
Robert Shirley 26
Jane Shirley 27
John Shirley 4
Robert Shirley 2
Francis Shirley 20
James Shirley 18
James Quigg 25
Email: John Shirley that married Matilda Dempsey lived at
Ballygawley but supposed to be from Rhee where the other Shirleys
originated but I have been unable to make any connection.
John and Matilda had 2 sons named John. First one born 25 July
1867 died you and second John born 1 Sept.1869.
A son Patrick (born c1867) was farming at Ballygawley in 1901.
Matilda Shirlety (born 30 Apr.1874 died 3 Feb.1936) married 26
Feb.1895 St. Mary's R.C. Church to Robert Stewart, carpemter
with a Joseph Shirley as witness. Would be interested in their
son who went to U.s. but returned to Ireland?
There might be a connection between this
Shirley family and John Stanley of Coleraine.
Email: My great great grandfather was John Shirley b 1836
Aghadowey married Matilda Dempsey b 1836 also Aghadowey
He died 1897 at Ballygawley and had (that i know of so far) daughter
mathilda, sons john, james, francis and robert
apart from john the other boys left to greenock around 1870 with
james quigg b 1856 aghadowey
More Stewart, Shirley, and Stanley information
EMAIL 2016, by C. Stewart
I have just discovered some further information regarding
the Shirley family of Aghadowey.
My Great GrandMother, Matilda Shirley was married to Robert
Stewart. They were both Roman Catholic. My Grandfather Frank
Stewart was one of their sons. Another son John moved to the
states in the 1920s and had a son Robert. I recently met Roberts
widow Jean who showed me some written notes that her husband
had made while researching family history. He got the information
from his father John Stewart before he passed away.
He wrote that his Grandfather was John Shirley and his Grandmother
was Matilda Dempsey. He wrote that Matildas brothers were John,
Pat, Barney and Frank [Ed: emailer is saying brothers of Matilda
Stewart nee Shirley]. Under these names there was also a
note in brackets saying (Young Frank). He made a note that they
were all sailors. He also noted that Barney
changed his name to Stanley while sailing, to get papers and
also raised his family as Stanley. It is noted that he owned
a bike shop in Coleraine. On searching the 1911 census, there
is listed a Bernard Stanley and also a John Stanley, who were
both Cycle manufacturers and living in Coleraine. Both
are Roman Catholic and both have wives from outside of Ireland.
Bernards wife is from England and Johns is from the West Indies.
One of the former email contributors also felt there was a connection
between Matilda Shirleys family and John Stanley from Coleraine.
I believe this new information confirms that John and Bernard
Stanley are in fact John and Barney Shirley. I hope others can
make good use of this information.
I just found John Stanleys grave in Our Lady of the Assumption
Roman Catholic Church in Aghadowey. He is buried along with his
wife, Katherine Ann Smith, his son John, and his daughter in
law Mary. The names and dates on the headstone tie in with the
ages list on the 1911 census, and the biggest surprise is that
they are actually buried right next to my great grandmother Matilda
(Shirley) Stewart. This confirms to me that John Stanley is actually
John Shirley, the brother of my great grandmother Matilda.
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Shirleys of Coleraine