The Early Years
What do we know about William Irvine in his early years?
The 1911 census puts in him at house #30 Dungonnell (Seacash, Antrim) at age 19, the son of John and Mary Irvine. His parents were ages 50 and 45 and had been married 23 years. They had 9 children. John and William are listed as farmers and the religion is Church of Ireland. We also know they are literate as they could read and write.
Residents of house number 30 in Dungonnell (Seacash, Antrim) *
click for a larger view
Details:
| Irvine | John | 50 | Male | Head of Family | Church of Ireland | Co Antrim | Farmer | Read and write | – | Married | – | – | – | – |
| Irvine | Mary | 45 | Female | Wife | Church of Ireland | Co Antrim | – | Read and write | – | Married | – | 23 | 9 | 9 |
| Irvine | William | 19 | Male | Son | Church of Ireland | Co Antrim | Farmer | Read and write | – | Single | – | – | – | – |
| Irvine | Agnes | 16 | Female | Daughter | Church of Ireland | Co Antrim | – | Read and write | – | Single | – | – | – | – |
| Irvine | Robert | 14 | Male | Son | Church of Ireland | Co Antrim | Scholar | Read and write | – | Single | – | – | – | – |
| Irvine | Sarah | 11 | Female | Daughter | Church of Ireland | Co Antrim | Scholar | Read and write | – | Single | – | – | – | – |
| Irvine | Mabel | 9 | Female | Daughter | Church of Ireland | Co Antrim | Scholar | Read and write | – | Single | – | – | – | – |
| Irvine | James | 6 | Male | Son | Church of Ireland | Co Antrim | Scholar | Read and write | – | Single | – | – | – | – |
| Irvine | Samuel | 1 | Male | Son | Church of Ireland |
William (Bill) had two older sisters Jennie (b. 1888) and Minnie (b. 1890) who had immigrated to California in 1909. Jennie married Harry Gallatin about 1913. She died in Oakland California 16 January 1967. I believe Minnie married Louis Meyer (facts to be confirmed). She died in 1962 in Grass Valley, California.
Reference for 1911 Census:
*http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Seacash/Dungonnell/108702/
Included in the census are records about the buildings and the neighbours.