Matilda (Bell) McConkey (abt. 1851 - 1916)

Born about 1851 in Ballynagilly, Lissan, Cookstown, Tyrone, Ireland [uncertain]

Wife of James McConkey — married 13 Jul 1885 in Lissan, Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Ireland

Descendants

Died 1 Aug 1916 at about age 65 in Dunmore, Lissan, Cookstown, Tyrone, Ireland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Valerie Kerr [send private message]

Biography

Matilda (Bell) McConkey was born in Ireland.

Matilda was born about 1851 in County Tyrone.^[1] She was the daughter of Thomas Bell. ^[2]

On 17 June 1876 at Dunmore, Lissan, she had an illegitimate child Letitia to a father John Maxwell. ^[3]

On 29 Apr 1880, Matilda had a child Emily with with John Bell of Ballynagilly. They seem to not have been married at the time, since John was listed as unmarried on his 1883 marriage, and Matilda unmarried on her 1885 marriage. ^[4]

On 13 Jul 1885 at Lissan Church of Ireland, Matilda married James McConkey, son of Joseph McConkey. They both lived at Muff at the time. Witnessed by Joseph and Sarah Love. ^[2]

As of 1890 they lived at Ballynagilly (birthplace of son David).

She passed away 1 Aug 1916 at Dunmore, Lissan. The informant was Mary J McConkey, daughter. ^[5] The funeral took place to Claggan churchyard. The chief mourners were: David J. McConkey (son), David Bell (brother), Thomas McDonald (son-in-law), Andrew Shirlow, Thomas Shirlow, R.A. Bell (nephews). ^[6]

Research Notes

Daughter Emily

Family notes of Marion (McDonald) Menary (1924-2005) record that her mother Ellen had a half-sister Emily, a cousin called Charlie Cummings, and Shirlow relations. This information was sent to me in private message by descendant Andrea (Brown) Day , 31 October 2023.

That daughter would be Emily (Bell) Cummings, whose birth registration in 1880 names mother as Matilda Bell formerly Bell, and residence Ballynagilly.

Parents

See linked parents' profiles for discussion. The nephews who attend Matilda's funeral help to identify the parents.

Sources

1. ↑ Age 65 at death 1916; Tyrone given in censuses.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} James McConkey, Matilda Bell, 1885, Magherafelt at Irish Civil Registration - Marriages
3. ↑ Letitia Bell, 1876, Cookstown at Irish Civil Registration - Births
4. ↑ Emily Bell, 1880, Cookstown at Irish Civil Registration - Births
5. ↑ Matilda McConkey, 1916, Cookstown, 65 at Irish Civil Registration - Deaths
6. ↑ "Mrs. Matilda McConkey, Dunmore", Mid-Ulster Mail - Saturday 12 August 1916, Page 8

• 1901 Ireland census - Residents of a house 28 in Dunmore (Lissan Lower, Tyrone). James(56), Matilda(50), David Jas(9), Mary Jane(11), Ellen(6)
• 1911 Ireland census - Residents of a house 19 in Dunmore (Lissan, Tyrone). Matilda McConkey(59), Mary Jane(22), David Joseph(20), Ellen(17)