Looking for the Hillis family (all but two, Thomas and Agnes) left Belfast for Canada around 1920.

Question

My grandfather was born, George Cathcart Hillis in 1904 in Ballyclare, Antrim. He was the youngest of the family, with older siblings: Robert, Agnes, Samuel, William, Thomas and James.

His father was James Hillis. His mother was Isabella Hillis (nee Boyd). They were Presbyterian.

All but Agnes and Thomas moved to Canada. My grandfather left with his parents in 1922 from Belfast.

Answer 1

There is a family tree from a Karen Hillis on Ancestry that show this individual and family. If you send me your e-mail address, I can let her know that you would like to see her family tree.  I am at connie underscore g at hotmail.com.

Comments

Thanks... she is my sister. I suspect she had the same strategy as I... :)

Answer 2

Hi Linda!

There is a Declaration of Passenger to Canada paper on Ancestry for James. Have you made a profile for any of your Hillis family?

Either way: James Hillis, 55, h/o Isabella Hillis, born in Ballyclare, passage paid by his son, destined to his son, James Hillis, 237 Laughton Avenue, Toronto. Nearest relative in country from which you came: Thomas Hillis, 22 Rochester Street, Belfast. Dated 23 September 1922. Same found for Isabella, Robert, and George.

I'll keep looking... what specifically are you looking for? Info or living descendants??

Comments

Thanks for the help! We are looking in specific for any information regarding our grandfather whose birth certificate was confused over whether his first or middle name was "Cathcart". He always went by George Cathcart Hillis, but... his registration seems to indicate his parents were Cathcarts... despite coming over with a clan of Hillis' to Canada in the 1920s.

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This was just repeat - deleting.

Answer 3

My Grandfather was Samuel Hillis born in 1895 in Ireland where his brother James lived also.  Samuel married Audrey Fagan from Stroud Ont and had two children Donald and Bruce, Bruce is my father.  I know they were from Ballyclare.  The parents James and Isabella Boyd Hillis came to Canada but did not remain according to my family.  My grandfather Samuel passed away in 1955.  James lived till 1974 in Florida after moving from Toronto.  James records state that he was born in Belfast, Antrim Ireland but I dont have much more.  I dont know much else about the rest of the family.  I only heard brief stories about George and James.  If any more comes up I will let you know, I hope to hear more or even a photo of any of the family would be great.  I only have photos of my grandfather.  chillisatc yahoo

Comments

Ah, you found me here too! I can send a few photos that I have... although I don't think I have any of George and Samuel's parents.

Answer 4

My late father, Hugh James Hillis, born Belfast 16/02/1924, advised that his father, Thomas Boyd Hillis, mother Mary Christian Hillis (née Colvin) and himself, migrated to Toronto, Canada in 1925.  Thomas had left for Toronto six months previously to set up a place for the arrival of his family.  Thomas had found a job with Dunlop.  The family remained in Toronto until 1931, after which the family returned to Belfast because of Thomas's health.

Hugh and his family (wife Dorothy, children Caroline, Katharine and Hugh (Mark)) migrated to Australia in 1968.  Hugh James died on 25/12/2008.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Mark Hillis