Edith 17.01.1884
Lillian Catherine 15.01.1886
Mary Robina 03.06.1888
Isabella 28.08.1890
Charles William 29.11.1892
John Victor 24.12.1894
Stella 08.02.1898
With the exception of Stella, all the above children were born in
various Army Barracks in Ireland and Malta as Bella moved with John
and the regiment. Edith born at North Queen St Barracks. Lillian born
in Malta while John was overseas. Mary, Isabella, Charles and John
were all born at Lifford while the father was in the 5th Battalion Royal
Inniskillings. Stella was born at 6 Hazelnut St Belfast as John had
been pensioned out of the army on the 16 Feb 1895.
The Children of my Great Grand Parents John and Bella Hughes
Edith Hughes
1884-1927
Edith here on the left in this photo was born at Victoria Army Barracks, 58 North Queen
St, Belfast. Social Housing including seven high rise tower blocks built in the 1960’s by
Belfast Corporation now occupy the original site of the Artillery Barracks which was
originally built around 1797. Our next encounter is from the 1901 census of Ireland,
where we have Edith living at 1 Shamrock St, Belfast, a 17 year old and working as a
Biscuit Packer possibly at 122 Donegall Street for Marsh, J., & Co., wholesale biscuit
manufacturers. Her younger sister Lily aged 15 also likely working for the same
employer.
On the 22 July 1906 at St Anne’s Church of Ireland, Belfast, Edith married Isaiah
Magowan a 22 year old fitter from 3 Ambleside St Belfast. There are two children listed
with this marriage Lillian Phyllis, and Isabella. Isaiah died on the 21.8.1907. The next
record of Edith in the 1911 census of Ireland where she is living with her parents at 17
Jaffa St, Belfast along with her two children Phyllis and Isabella. A further record on the
14 Sept 1913 at St Annes Church Belfast Edith married Reuben Goward a sapper in the
Royal Engineers stationed at Victoria Barracks. We have three children to this marriage
Reuben 1914, Norah 1916 and William 1920.
Edith’s death is recorded as follows. On the 19 January 1927 at 51 Lisburn Road (Belfast
City Hospital) Edith Goward late of 26 Fairfield Street Belfast, Aged 42, Housewife, died
from Valvular Heart Disease Cardiac failure. Certified by J Mahood occupier at 51
Lisburn Road Belfast.
Lillian Catherine Hughes
1886-1937
Lillian was born in Malta, her father stationed there between December1885 and May1886
while serving with 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers. In the 1901 census (1 Shannon
St) Lily is working as a Biscuit Packer. On the 6 Oct 1909 at Fortwilliam Presbyterian
Church Lily marries John Adrain an apprentice plater from Canning St Belfast. We have
two children to this marriage Olive 1910, and Dorothy 1912.
Lily died on the 3 Sept 1937 aged 49
Mary Robina Hughes
1888-1973
Mary was born in Lifford County Donegal her father having been transferred to the 5th
Battalion Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers and stationed at the Goal in Lifford town. Mary appears
in the 1901 census as a school girl of 12 and using the name Ruby. She marries Alfred
Ernest Stone an Iron Smith from 68 Alexandra Park Belfast on the 30 Aug 1908 at St Annes
Belfast.
In the 1911 census we find Robina living in Belfast with her first daughter Gladys one year
old. We have five other children to this marriage. Alfred Ernest 1911, Winifred 1914, Stella
1916, Freda, Frederick William 1919 and Vivan. Mary Robina died on the 7 Oct 1973.
Interestingly her date of birth given on her death certificate is 1 June 1888 with her birth
place given as Armagh and not Lifford.
Isabella (Dot) Hughes
1890-1938
Isabella (Dot) was born in Lifford County Donegal. She appears in the 1901 census as a 10 year
old school girl. She then appears in the 1911 census living at Jaffa St using the name Dot and
working at the Gallagher’s Tobacco Factory. Dot remained a spinster and her death is recorded
on the 13 Sept 1938 living at 22 Velsheda Park her brother Victor in attendance. Isabella (Dot)
purchased a burial plot at Dundonald cemetery for Three pounds and Ten Shillings F2
901.Burried along with Dot in this plot are her Mother and Father and her sister Lily. This photo
of Dot and friends at Blackpool. There have been numerous guesses by family as to which one
was Dot.
Charles William Hughes (My Grandfather)
1892-1961
Charles William was born in Lifford County Donegal. He appears in the 1901 census as an 8
year old school boy. He then is recorded in the 1911 census as an 18 year old General
Labourer. Charles marries Letitia French Waterworth from 41 Shannon St on the 9 july 1912
at Holy Trinity Belfast. (Charles probably knew Letitia as a neighbour, as Charles father is
recorded as having lived in Shannon St.) There are Eleven Children to this marriage Olive
Isobel 1912, Dorris Murial 1914, Charles William and Victor Thomas (twins) 1915, John
Norman 1920, Dorothy Isabel 1921, Caroline 1923, Letitia 1925, Beatrice Olive (Susan)
1927, Joseph 1929,Lillian Adrain 1933. They live at 72 James St Belfast off the Shankill
Road.
Charles died on the 24 Dec 1961 and is Buried in the City Cemetery Belfast
John Victor Hughes
1894-1977
John Victor was born in Lifford County Donegal. He appears in the 1901 census as a 6 year
old not having started school. The 1911 census shows Victor working as General labourer
and living in Jaffa St Belfast. On the 12 Nov 1921 at St Annes he marries Rose Burns a packer
from 24 Clifton St Belfast. Victor at this time is working in the Cigarette Factory.
On the 12 April 1941 Victor married Elizabeth McCallum Stewart at Glengormley Presbyterian
Church. There is one child to this marriage Margaret. Victor died on the 25 May 1977 living at
19 Torrens Crescent Belfast at that time.
Stella Hughes
1898-1972
Stella is born at 6 Hazelnut St Belfast and appears as a 3 year old on the 1901 census. In 1911
Stella is a 14 year old at home. On the 31 May 1916 at Christ Church Belfast she marries John
Brown a Soldier at Victoria Barracks Belfast. There are no children recorded to this marriage.
Stella Died on the 15 Apr 1972. Stella Left a will to her brothers, sisters and family each receiving
£65.25 with a total of £326.26.
This photo shows Stella and John
to the right wearing their Orange
sashes. I am not sure of the
particular occasion this photograph
was taken.
