Ask Mike

[Mike James]

This discussion is for anyone that has a question about the James Family. I may not be able to answer it but I'll give it a try.

[Mike James]

Dear Mike,
Where did the James family come from in Ireland?
Mike

[Mike James]

Mike, thanks for the great question. The James family was from Coshquin a small farming community on the out skirts of Londonderry in what is now known as Northern Ireland. Coshquin actually borders the Republic of Ireland and County Donegal. Coshquin was part of the parish of Templemore which derives it's name from “the Great Church," from the cathedral of Derry. Across the Donegal border was the parish of Burt, which I suspect some James' may also lived.

This area was known for the growing of flax or linseed which produced the fabric "linen." Derry was well know as a capitol of shirt-making.

The James' were most likely Ulster Scot who arrived from Scotland as part of the "Ulster Plantation."

More about that later.

Keep those questions coming.
Mike

[Pamela Jo James King]

Dear Mike,

Did George meet Sarah Montgomery here or in Ireland? Where did they get married?

Why did they move to Iowa? Did they have friends or relatives in Iowa?

Signed,

Curious Pam

[Mike James]

Hello Curious Pam,
I have no positive proof on where Sarah and George got married. My hypothesis is that they may have known each other in Ireland but didn't marry until they were in the U.S.

There were Montgomery's farming in the same area as the James' in Templemore, so they may have met in Ireland.

Sarah arrived in the U.S. in 1852 or 1853. Her oldest child was born in 1857, that's why I think they got married here.

As for relatives in U.S. and Iowa. I think Sarah may of had family in Rock Island, Illinois just across the river from Davenport, Iowa. The census shows a lot of Montgomery's in that area. In her bible she mentions Molene Rock School. I wonder if she taught there?

I will follow-up if I find more clues.

Mike

[Ron James]

Dear Mike,

You seem to be asking yourself questions. It would be nice to have a map with the locations of all the family. Can you do that? Maybe you could use Google maps.

Mike James said:

Mike, thanks for the great question. The James family was from Coshquin a small farming community on the out skirts of Londonderry in what is now known as Northern Ireland. Coshquin actually borders the Republic of Ireland and County Donegal. Coshquin was part of the parish of Templemore which derives it's name from “the Great Church," from the cathedral of Derry. Across the Donegal border was the parish of Burt, which I suspect some James' may also lived.

This area was known for the growing of flax or linseed which produced the fabric "linen." Derry was well know as a capitol of shirt-making.

The James' were most likely Ulster Scot who arrived from Scotland as part of the "Ulster Plantation."

More about that later.

Keep those questions coming.
Mike

[Mike James]

Hello Ron,

I know Ning will be adding apps this month, hopefully a map feature will then be available. If not I will research further.

Mike

[Mike James]

Hello Ron,
The app for maps has been added.
Mike

[Pamela Jo James King]

DearMike,

Does anyone have any information on the GGrandpa Will's sister Annie?? Her married name may have been Lewis. I have a photo of children with writing on the back that says Annie Lewis' children. It was done in a studio in Harlan, IA

As ever,
Curious Pam

[Mike James]

Hello Curious Pam,
Always with the challenging questions.

After some research, this is what I have for Annie James.

Harlan, Iowa, where the picture was taken, is in Shelby County. Astor is just north of there.

In the census of 1895 I found Annie Lewis living in Greeley, Shelby, Iowa. I also found a Robert Lewis at that time.

In the 1900 census I find Robert again. In this census it lists him as a widow. Sadly this indicates that Annie passed sometime between 1895 and 1900.

That census also list their children. Their ages and gender correspond with the picture you posted onto the site.

I also found that the family moved to Elmwood, Clay County, Minnesota. It is my hunch that we have more family in Minnesota.

I will let you know what else I find.

Keep the cards and letters coming,

Mike

[Pamela Jo James King]

I know my dad is thrilled that you have solved this missing sister mystery. He told me that the James farm is in Greeley Township. The road in front of the house is the dividing line between Crawford Cty (Manilla) and Shelby Cty. The townships were 6 miles wide and 6 miles long with a country school situated every 2 miles. the farm was right in the middle of the most northern part of the township. There were a total of 9 schools in a township. The school in the center of the township, called Center School, is where they went to vote.
Anyway Annie had to be close to the farm and Astor. Dad never heard anyone talk about Annie and now we know why. I have no pictures of her so I hope that a relative will be able to provide us with one. BTW, Harlan is the county seat for Shelby county.

[Pamela Jo James King]

Dear Mike,

The family has been pretty quiet this week. Hope everyone is well.

My question is: what will you search for when you get to Ireland? How long will you be there? History Channel has run the show Irish in America several times. It talks about the millions of Irish that immigrated during the same years that George came over. Did his brothers come with him? I guess that is more than one question.

Curious Pam

[Mike James]

Hello Pam,
Yep it has been pretty quiet. I will posting more stuff soon, so that might get them riled up again.

When I get Londonderry, I will be asking the locals questions about Coshquin. Hopefully I will be able to explore some gravesites around there. I will be at the University of Ulster Magee Campus, I will see if there are any experts on the local history. I will also spending 1 day at the Public Records office in Belfast.

I was told a few years back that many of the records for the Coshquin (Templemore) area were destroyed during one of the insurgences.

I haven't found anything that shows the brothers came over together, yet.

All for now,
Mike