Mary Elizabeth McDonald (nee Wallace) who
married Robert McDonald on May 7, 1924.
THE daughter of a man who left Dunmurry more
than 60 years ago to start a new life in England has appealed
for information about her father's extended family.
Jean Tarr of Chesterfield in Derbyshire
explained her Dad, William John McDonald who was also known as
Jackie, left Northern Ireland in 1944 at the age of just 20.
He now lives in Darleston in the West
Midlands and as he approaches the age of 83 Jean is keen to hear
from anyone who can help locate the people he knew as he grew
up.
William John's maternal
grandfather Robert Wallace who was Head Gardener for
pub owner Harry Musson on the site of what is now
the Beechlawn Hotel. Robert lived in a cottage in
the hospice grounds.
In those days Dunmurry was a small village
with a strong sense of community and Jean hopes the following
facts will jog people's memories.
- William's parents were Robert and Mary Elizabeth
McDonald (nee Wallace) who married on May 7 1924. Their
marriage was witnessed by a Joseph and Catherine Callan.
- His father was an employee of Harland and Woolfe and
William's brother Arnold eventually joined his Dad at 'the
shipyard' before emigrating to Australia
- William's paternal grandparents were William John
McDonald and his wife Sarah (nee Close).
- His maternal grandfather was Robert Wallace whose second
wife Eliza Thompson was William's step grandmother.
- Eventually, Robert lived with his daughter Florrie and
her husband Tommy McVeigh at Hill Street in the village
- Tommy was killed at Lambeg Bleach Factory leaving
Florrie with three children - Alex, Flo and Victor.
- Florrie remarried but sadly her second husband Jimmy
Press died in a tragic fall.
Jean is keen to hear from anyone who can help
identify her father's relatives living or dead.
She lives at 11 Sims Croft, Old Whittington,
Chesterfield. S41 9LU and her phone number is 01246 453526.
Alternatively, she can be contacted by e-mail
on
jean.tarr2@tiscalli.co. uk.
