Elizabeth Bell

b: 1867 approx

 

Calum's and Jamie's great great great grandmother - see below.

 

 

James Bell

b: 1875 approx

 

The 1911 census confirms that James was Thomas Smyth's brother-in-law, and therefore the brother of Thomas's wife Elizabeth. He was born in approximately 1875.

 

In the 1901 census for Belfast, James has yet to be found, but his wife and children were resident with Thomas and Elizabeth Smyth at 87 Canmore Street. From this we learn that his wife was called Martha Jane Bell, she was aged 29, a spinner in a linen mill, and able to read and write. With her were the couple's children Elizabeth, Thomas and Mary Jane.

 

James was recorded in the 1911 census living at 104 Wilton Street, in the Woodvale Ward of the parish of Shankill. In the record he was noted as 36 year old James Bill, a Presbyterian general labourer, born in Belfast City, and able to read and write. His wife was known as Martha, and the record shows that they had been married for 18 years years, placing their marriage in approxmately 1893, and had had five children, all of whom were still alive and present on census night. His brother in-law Thomas Smith was also present, as was his widowered nephew, 12 year old William Smith, Calum's and Jamie's great great grandfather.

 

 

Children of JAMES BELL and MARTHA:

Elizabeth BELL

b: 1894

 

In the 1901 census for Belfast, Elizabeth was noted as a six year old scholar, residing with her mum, brother and sister at 87 Canmore Street, the house of her uncle Thomas Smyth and aunt Elizabeth.

 

In the 1911 census for Belfast, Elizabeth was resident at 104 Wilton Street, in the Woodvale Ward of the parish of Shankill. In the record she was noted as a 17 year old Presbyterian flax spinner, born in Belfast City, single, and able to read and write.

 

 

 

Thomas James Bell

b: 1895

 

In the 1901 census for Belfast, Thomas was noted as a five year old scholar, residing with his mum and two sisters at 87 Canmore Street, the house of his uncle Thomas Smyth and aunt Elizabeth.

 

In the 1911 census for Belfast, Thomas was resident at 104 Wilton Street, in the Woodvale Ward of the parish of Shankill. In the record he was noted as a 15 year old Presbyterian flax doffer, born in Belfast City, single, and able to read and write.

 

A Thomas James Bell was noted as marrying a Catherine Carlisle Campbell on 24 DEC 1914 at Saint Anne's Church of Ireland in the parish of Shankill. This has been checked, and it is not our Thomas, as this man's father was recorded as Thomas, and not James.

 

 

 

Mary Jane Bell

b: 1900

 

Mary Jane was noted as a ten months old baby resident at 87 Canmore Street in the 1901 census for Belfast. Also present were her mother, brother and sister. She is not listed in the 1911 census, and another daughter called Mary is, aged 5, so the first Mary may have died in infancy.

 

 

 

William Bell

b: 1904

 

In the 1911 census for Belfast, William was resident at 104 Wilton Street, in the Woodvale Ward of the parish of Shankill. In the record he was noted as a 7 year old Presbyterian scholar, born in Belfast City, single, and able to read and write.

 

 

 

Mary Bell

b: 1905

 

In the 1911 census for Belfast, Mary was resident at 104 Wilton Street, in the Woodvale Ward of the parish of Shankill. In the record she was noted as a 6 year old Presbyterian scholar, born in Belfast City, single, and able to read and write.

 

 

 

Samuel Bell

b: 1908

 

In the 1911 census for Belfast, Samuel was resident at 104 Wilton Street, in the Woodvale Ward of the parish of Shankill. In the record he was noted as a 3 year old Presbyterian flax spinner, born in Belfast City, and unable to read or write.