They might be presidents

Did you know our ancestors hailed from The White House? Well actually thats a little stretch of the truth, let me explain. As you may already know, Granny Theresa McConnon was originally from Fintona Co Tyrone. She was one of 6 children born to Thomas Quinn and Maggie McMullan in the late 1800's.

Maggie (McMullan) Quinn & Thomas Quinn

Having 1 son and 5 daughters Great Grandad Quinn was concerned about employment opportunities for his girls because at that time there were few options - help out on the farm or go into service(work as a servant in a big house- likely owned by protestant landlords). Tom Quinn wanted more for his girls so decided sometime in early 1900's to up sticks and head to Bessbrook to seek their fortune and a better life for his family hoping to secure employment in the hugely successful Linen Mill there.

1901 Census entry from Kiln Street in Fintona

1911 Census entry from Fountain Street in Bessbrook

We can see in the 1901 census they were still at Kiln Street in Fintona but by 1911 they had settled in Fountain Street in Bessbrook. A poultry dealer himself he was quick to setup a partnership and get back to work and it appears the girls too got work in the mill.

However, the story goes that at some point Auntie Nan and Theresa (Granny McConnon) got fed up with Bessbrook and convinced their dad that there was much more opportunities to be had in the big city, so the family moved to The White House (Whiteabbey) in Newtonabbey in Belfast in search of the bright lights and more adventure.

The recently restored White House in Newtonabbey

But it wasnt all they had hoped it would be and before long the girls were regretting the move and missing Bessbrook but couldn't figure out how they were going to convinve their dad of another move. Luckily for us it seems their charms worked and they did indeed give up the White House and return to the 'Brook.

According to Aunty Teasey, Granny and Grandad McConnon met as a result of Thomas Quinn's pountry dealing business. Apparently Barney wanted to get into the trade and possibly served his time with Thomas Quinn and his partner a Mr Wilson. Again fate was to play a bit of a hand as Theresa had already been engaged to a fellow by the name of McKeown from Ballynaleck. He was apparently well to do and made £90 on one transaction selling Flax. Theresa had gone to meet him for a pre arranged date one Sunday evening and when he didnt show, thought he had stood her up but got home to the news from her sisters that he was dead. Sadly he contracted the Spanish Flu and passed away in the great epidemic of 1918 which is said to have killed 40 million people worldwide and about 23,000 in Ireland. Some 4 years later on 27th April 1922 Barney and Theresa were married.

Curiously the McCauleys were neighbours of the Quinn's living only a few doors away in Fountain Street. It really makes you think how tragedy for some can bring opportunity for others, as the same happened on the McCauley side with grandad's first wife Margaret Smith dying in childbirth and he then went on to marry Granny McCauley (Annie Doran), so if either Mr McKeown or Margaret Smith hadnt died, none of us would be here!

Anyway, we may not have ended up in the oval office and we don't have Trumps fortunes (yet) but I'll take our family over the presidents any day !!