Looking for information on my maternal great-grandfather Samuel Preston of Banbridge, County Down, Ireland.

Question

Samuel John Preston married Sarah Ann Colgan of Co.Armagh in 1903. His father was Samuel Preston and Mill Manager who died in 1911. His mother was Charlotte Jane Bright.

Answer 1

Father’s probate record 

"Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ5N-G7G : 13 March 2018), Samuel Preston, 11 Apr 1911; citing 00276, 005014917, Principal Probate Registry, Dublin; 101,003.

Comments

Brother?

Name:

John Preston

Gender:

Male

Birth Date:

29 Oct 1876

Birthplace:

Banbridge, Down, Ireland

Father's Name:

Samuel Preston

Father's Birthplace:

Seapatrick

Mother's Name:

Charlotte Preston Bright

"Ireland Births and Baptisms, 1620-1881," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGFH-5WG : 10 February 2018), Samuel Preston in entry for John Preston, 29 Oct 1876; citing Banbridge, Down, Ireland, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 255,962.

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Familysearch.org has more records, it is a free site

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The FamilySearch "Ireland Births and Baptisms" collection is useful but often records have not been indexed correctly. For example in the above it says Father's birthplace Seapatrick but that is actually the father's place of residence at the time of the child's birth. It also has Birthplace Banbridge, Down, Ireland but that is probably the district and it is better to use the exact townland name which will be found in the birth register.

I always check Irish Genealogy https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/civil-search.jsp to see the actual birth register entry which often reveals other useful details.

The entry for John in 1876 gives his birthplace as Seapatrick village https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/birth_returns/births_1876/03036/2113063.pdf

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Hello Marion and a friend had found this for me and made a bad/incomplete copy so I am grateful to you for sending me this link. I believe the sum would amount to about £75,000 in today's money..........was there a similar will by his widower, Charlotte Jane Bright who died in 1918 I believe?

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Did she die in Ireland?

Answer 2

There is no birth registration record for a Samuel John Preston, child of Samuel and Charlotte so it seems likely the 1876 birth registration record for John Preston is Samuel John and his name was changed when he was baptised.

The 1901 census shows him age 24 living with his parents http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Banbridge_Rural/Kilpixe/1201889/

The 1911 census shows him age 35 married with 4 children http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Banbridge_Rural/Kilpike/205694/, and his parents in the next house http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Banbridge_Rural/Kilpike/205693/.

Comments

Hi Ray and good for you...I have seen those two Census (there is a spelling mistake in the 1901 one as the townland is misspelt and should be Kilpike). Funnily enough, in the 1911 one, his father also Samuel lived in number 3, our grandfather in number 4 and one of his brothers in number 5!

However I am not sure about the John Preston and ther is a John Preston who was killed in WW1 and mentioned on the memorial in Banbridge. He is a member of the family though....an Australian lady Judy Porter informed me...however I shall ask her again just to make sure!

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Hi Ray and you were right!!! I have just found the registration and under John...father Samuel and mother Charlotte Jane nee Bright!  Many thanks indeed!!!!

Now I need to find out more about Charlotte whose father 's name was David I think and she was also born in Banbridge around 1840 something. She died in 1918.....

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The John Preston on the Banbridge war memorial was son of Andrew and Margaret. He was age 33 when he died in 1916 so was born about 1883. See his CWGC entry https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1549276/preston,-john/

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Samuel Preston married Charlotte Bright in Feb 1876. You can find the marriage record on Irish Genealogy https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_returns/marriages_1876/11154/8085988.pdf

Her father was David Bright, a labourer. A witness was Pamela Bright who could be her sister. Samuel's father was Thomas Preston.

That means (Samuel) John was their first child.

You will probably struggle to find out more about Charlotte because she was born before civil registration started in 1864. If you are lucky you might find her baptism record in a church register assuming you can identify the correct church (hopefully the one she married at) and the registers still exist.

Answer 3

His probate is at PRONI - https://apps.proni.gov.uk/WillsCalendar_IE/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx

Title : Mr Date of Death : 31 May 1947 Surname : Preston Date of Grant : 5 August 1947 Forename : Samuel John Reseal Date : Registry : Belfast Effects : Effects £289 14s 1d No Image

Full Abstract : Preston Samuel John of 10 Milfort Terrace Seapatrick near Banbridge county Down thread mill manager died 31 May 1947 Probate Belfast 5 August to Sarah Ann Preston the widow. Effects £289 14s. 1d.

Comments

Many thanks John and we never knew our grandfather and here is the reason why....I wonder if you can find something about his widower and when she died and we never knew her either? Her maiden name was Colgan and she was from Derryscallop I believe. Sghe is mention in the 1901 Census working as a maid in Belfast and she married Samuel in 1903 when she was about 23.

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NI probate records only go up to 1965. The nearest match is:

Title : Mrs Date of Death : 22 January 1951 Surname : Preston Date of Grant : 6 April 1951 Forename : Annie Reseal Date : Registry : Belfast Effects : Effects £2335 14s 0d No Image

Full Abstract : Preston Annie of Ashley Gardens Banbridge county Down widow died 22 January 1951 at Banbridge Hospital Banbridge Probate Belfast 6 April to James Fullerton farmer and James R. Mercer hospital secretary. Effects £2335 14s.