The Family of Daniel McVey & Sarah McLean, 1852

My interest in this family derives from the marriage in Cleland in 1888 of John Reynolds and Ellen McVey. Ellen's father is recorded as Daniel McVey (deceased) and in 1891, John and Ellen have a lodger Patrick McVey. This fits well with these McVeys but there is a problem - the marriage registration gives Ellen's mother as Helen McKillop and I can't find Ellen's death registration. However, I have found no other Daniel McVey family in the area so, for what it's worth, .....

Daniel McVey was born between 1828 and 1834 in Ireland to Elizabeth Rocks ( - ) and Patrick McVey, Farmer ( - ).

Sarah Ann McLean was born in 1827 in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone to Ellen Devlin ( - ) and James McLean, Argicultural Labourer ( - ).


1827 Sarah Ann McLean was baptised on Friday, September 7 in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone with sponsors Ed. Clements and Ros. Skiffinton. Her parents are recorded as Ellen Devlin and James McClean, residing in the townland of Glebe.

I saw only one other McClean baptism between 1821 and 1833

1829 Patrick McClean was baptised on Sunday, April 12 with sponsor "Sola et unica" Ellen Devlin. His parents are recorded as (illig) David McClean and Sar. Martin, one or both of whom resided in Glebe.

[Aye, but which of the 15 townlands in Dungannon PLU that have Glebe in their names? There are 10 entries for James McClean in Griffiths Valuation (printed in 1860) for Dungannon PLU, one of whom is in the townland of Derrywinnin Glebe (115 acres) in the (civil) parish of Tullyniskan. The (Roman Catholic) parish of Dungannon has variant names Drumglass, Killyman and Tullyniskin and currently has churches in Dungannon itself (St. Patrick's - 1876 though it appears there was a church on the site possibly from 1799), Clonmore (Sacred Heart - 1837), Edendork (St. Malachy - 1814) and Killyman (St. Brigid - 1786). A lot of water will flow under a lot of bridges before I try to unscramble this lot.]


1853 On Saturday, April 23, Daniel McVeigh and Sarah Ann McClean were married in the parish of Dungannon, Co. Tyrone in the presence of Patrick Quin and James McClean.

Daniel and Sarah Ann had the following children (that I know of) —

Patrickborn in 1854 in Co. Tyrone and died at Omoa Iron Works in 1855.
Mary Annborn in 1857 at Omoa Iron Works, last sighting 1871.
Elizabethborn in 1859 in Sorn, Ayrshire, last sighting 1891.
Ellenborn in 1862 at Omoa Iron Works, married John Reynolds in 1888 and died before 1901.
Josephborn about 1864 at Omoa Iron Works, last sighting 1901.
Bridgetborn in 1877 at Omoa Iron Works and died ten weeks later.


1854 Patrick McVeigh was baptised on Sunday, August 20 in the parish of Dungannon, Co. Tyrone with sponsor Margaret Wilson. His parents are recorded as Daniel McVeigh and Sara McClean, residing in the townland of Derry (263 acres in the parish of Tullyniskan).


1855 Patrick MacVay died at 2h0m a.m. on Monday, November 5, aged 14 months, at Square, Omoa Iron Works of Irritative Fever after about a week as certified by John Tennant Barrie, Surgeon, Newarthill who last saw the deceased on November 4. His parents are named as Daniel McVay, Drawer in Iron Pit and Sarah McVay m.s. McLean. His death was registered No.99 at Shotts on November 12 by Daniel McVay who signed his name.

Patrick was born in Co. Tyrone, Ireland and had been three weeks in the district. He was buried in Holytown Free Church Burying Ground (certified by John Mathie, Officer).


1857 Mary Ann McVey was born at 8h30m p.m. on Sunday, September 20 at Omoa Iron Works to Sarah Ann McVey m.s. McLean and Daniel McVey, Coal Miner. Her birth was registered No.226 at Shotts on October 2 by Daniel McVey (who signed his name!), Father (Present).


1859 There is the birth of Elizabeth McVey registered in Stevenston, Ayrshire. (try 615-153 - not ours)


1861 April 7 In a house at 69 Omoa Square, in which one room had one or more windows, there dwelt —

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace

Daniel McVay

HeadMar33Ironstone MinerIreland
Sarah do.WifeMar32do.
Mary Ann do.Daur3Lanarkshire, Shotts
Bridget do.Daur1Ayrshire, Sorn
Patrick do.BrotherUnm24Ironstone MinerIreland

I have been unable to find the birth of B~~~ McV~~~ registered anywhere in Ayrshire. I'd be much happier if she was Elizabeth (or Eliza) who appears in 1871, but she is not the Elizabeth registered in Stevenston in 1859.


1862 Ellen McVey was born at 7h30m p.m. on November 19 at Omoa Iron Works to Sarah Ann McVey m.s. McLean and Daniel McVey, Coal Miner who married in May, 1852 [sic] at Dunganan, Co. Tyrone. Her birth was registered No.295 at Shotts on December 9 by Daniel McVey, "his X mark", Father, Present.


1865 Joseph McVay was born in Shotts Parish. I haven't found a suitable registration.


1865 On Tuesday, August 22, Patrick McVey and Anne Hopkins were married at the Roman Catholic Church, Wishaw [St Ignatius of Loyola] After Banns according to the Forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.79 at Wishaw on the same day.

Patrick was a Bachelor, gave his age as 28, occupation Ironstone Miner and usual residence as Omoa Iron Works, Shotts. His parents are recorded as Patrick McVey, Farmer and Elizabeth McVey m.s. Rocks (deceased).

Anne was a Widow, gave her age as 26, occupation Housekeeper and usual residence as Omoa Iron Works, Shotts. Her parents are recorded as William Hopkins, Farmer (deceased) and Jane Hopkins m.s. Miller.

The celebrant was John McCay, Cath. Priest, and the witnesses were Daniel McVey and Sarah Rourke. Anne and Sarah made their marks.


1867 Bridget McVey was born at 9h30m a.m. on Saturday, June 29 at Omoa Iron Works to Sarah Ann McVey m.s. McLean and Daniel McVey, Coal Miner who married in May, 1852 [sic] at Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, Ireland. Her birth was registered No.110 at Shotts on July 20 by Daniel McVey, "his X mark", Father.

I think we can assume the other Bridget born in Sorn has died, unless she was Eliza in 1871.

Sadly, this Bridget also died young, on September 10.


1867 Sarah McVey m.s. McLean, married to Daniel McVey, Coal Miner died at 8h0m a.m. on Wednesday, August 7 aged "about 40 years", at Omoa Iron Works of Consumption - months as certified by John T Barrie MD. Her parents are recorded as James McLean, Agricultural Labourer and Helen McLean m.s. Devlin (deceased). Her death was registered No.57 at Shotts on the same day by Pat McVey, Coal Miner, A Neighbour, Brother in law.


1867 Bridget McVey, Single, died at 2h0m a.m. on Tuesday, September 10 at Omoa Iron Works, aged 11 weeks, of Congestion of Lungs, 8 days, as certified by John F. Bannie, MD. Her parents are recorded as Daniel McVey, Coal Miner and Sarah McVey m.s. McLean (deceased). Her death was registered No.66 at Shotts on the same day by James Kain, "his X mark", a Neighbour.


1868 Ann McVey m.s. Hopkins, Married to Patrick McVey, Coal Miner, died at 5h0m p.m. on Tuesday, May 19 at Omoa Iron Works, age 36, of Consumption - Months as certified by John T. Barrie, MD. Her death was registered No.48 at Shotts on May 21 by James Mailin, "his X mark", next neighbour. Her parents were unknown.


1870 On Saturday, May 7, Daniel McVey and Ann Lochran were married at the Roman Catholic Church, Wishaw [St Ignatius of Loyola] After Banns according to the forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The marriage was registered No.40 at Wishaw on May 9.

Daniel was a Widower, gave his age as 37, occupation Coal Miner and usual residence Cleland, Shotts. His parents are recorded as Patrick McVey, Labourer and Elizabeth McVey m.s. Rock, deceased.

Ann was a Spinster, gave her age as 30, occupation Domestic Servant and usual residence also Cleland, Shotts. Her parents are recorded as Charles Loughran [sic], Labourer and Ann Loughran m.s. Collins

The celebrant was Fr. G. McBrearty and the witnesses were Michael Smyth and Catherine Rafferty. Ann and Catherine made their marks.

[Fr McBrearty had been a curate at St. Ignatius since 1862. In 1871, he moved to St. Paul's, Shettleston as parish priest.]


1871 April 2 In a house at 57 Omoa Square, in which one room had one or more windows, there dwelt —

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Daniel McVayHeadM.37CoalminerIreland
Ann McVayWifeM.34HousekeeperIreland
Hellen McVayDau.Unm.7ScholarLanark, Shotts
Joseph McVaySondo.6do.do., do.

At 55 Omoa Square, in a house with one windowed room,

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
John McAlisterHeadM40CoalminerIreland
Eliza McAlisterWifeM36HousekeeperIreland
John McAlisterSonUnm15CoalminerLanark, Shotts
Patrick McAlisterSondo.11do.do., do.
Joseph McAlisterSondo.6Scholardo., do.
Agnes McAlisterDaudo.2nildo., do.
Annie McAlisterDaudo.9monildo., do.
Mary Ann McVayServantdo.13Servantdo., do.

That a coalminer should be employing a servant seems very strange. My guess would be that Mrs McAlister wanted/needed help with the small children and a neighbour's daughter obliged, perhaps in return for a small consideration.

At 84 Omoa Square, in a house with one windowed room,

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Ann Kean?HeadWdo.40House KeeperIreland
James RourkeLodgerUnm33Coal Minerdo.
Eliza McVayNieceUnm11ScholarAyrshire, Sorn

(There is a birth of Elizabeth McVey registered in Stevenston, Ayrshire in 1859 (615/153 - not ours)).

At 87 Omoa Square, in a house with one windowed room,

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
John RoukeHeadMar28CoalminerIreland
Ann RoukeWifeMar28do. wifeIreland
John RoukeSonUnm3nilLanark, Cambusnethan
Sarah Ann RoukeDauUnm4hrs} twinsdo., Shotts
Mary RoukeDau4hrs}
Patrick McVayLodgerWidr38CoalminerIreland
Henry Hamilldo.do.36do.do.

Now, the enumerator has made a hash of this part of the record, having added the three lodgers who were originally entered elsewhere. It is possible that all three were living in one household but had to be interspersed where space allowed. In which case, they are more likely to be at No.84 rather than with the Roukes (who might be Rourkes).


1875 Daniel McVey, Coal Miner married to Ann Lochran formerly to Sarah McLean, died at 6h40m p.m. on January 8 at Omoa Square, age 41, of Asthma (years), no regular medical attendant. His parents are recorded as Patrick McVey, Farmer and Elizabeth McVey m.s. Rocks (deceased). His death was registered No.9 at Shotts on January 25 by Betsy McVey, "her X mark", Daughter, Inmate, Present.


1881 April 3 In a house at 69 Omoa Square, there dwelt:

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Patrick McVeyHeadUnm50Coal MinerIreland
Ann do.Sister-in-lawW52House Keeperdo.
Betsy do.NieceUnm20Brickfield workerLanarkshire, Shotts
Ellen do.NieceUnm18do.do., do.
Joseph do.Nephew16Coalminerdo., do.
John do.Visitor40Ireland


1888 On Friday, May 11, Ellen McVey married John Reynolds at the R.C. Chapel, Cleland. [See Section RS-6-4 for further information.]


1891 April 5 Schedule No. 106 — 109 Omoa Square, Village of Omoa —

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Ann McVey or KerrHeadW55Ireland
Joseph McVeyBoarderUnm26Coal MinerLanarkshire, Shotts
Elizabeth McVeyNieceUnm28Brickwork LabourerAyrshire, Kilmarnock
John McPhillipsBoarderUnm31Coal MinerIreland

Schedule No. 68 — 71 Omoa Square Village of Omoa —

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
John ReynoldsHeadMar30Coal MinerLanarkshire, Eastmuir
Helen [McVey]WifeMar27do., Shotts
ElizabethDaur2do., Shotts
Patrick McVayBoarderWidr60Coal MinerIreland
Francis ReynoldsSon6 moLanarkshire, Shotts


1901 March 31 This motley collection of people were living at 61 Omoa Square in a house with one windowed room —

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Ann McVeyHeadW70Ireland
Patrick do.BrotherWidr68Retired Coal Minerdo.
Joseph do.NephewS36Coal MinerLanarkshire, Cleland
Elizabeth ReynoldsGrand Daur12Scholardo., do.
John KainroBoarderS?28Coal MinerIreland

Compiled by John Reynolds — JRGene@btinternet.com
Last significant update — December 2017 (Ireland events)