HIgginson from Drumshanbo

actually, John was born c1848!

Lorraine:

According to the 1901 census, John was 63 which would make his year of birth around 1837 and many times age was underestimated. Note the 1901 census record has Jane born in Co. Leitrim not Roscommon. http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Leitrim/Drumshanbo/Drumshanbo_Town/1483697/  The 1911 census has her county of birth as Roscommon.  http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Leitrim/Garadice/Lahard/646337/

I did check for John's baptismal record with no success. However, since he was Church of Ireland, I checked and baptismal records for Drumshanbo church are not available until 1885.

Roger McDonnell

Hi Roger

Thank you for the infomation!

I will keep looking!

Lorraine

HIGGINSON OF CORNAMUDDA

What I can tell you is that John Robert Higginson, through his nephew Frederick Higginson (Census 1901) was the brother of Thomas Higginson of Cornamudda, Drumshanbo. Thomas' records confirm their father was Francis Higginson of #2a Cornamuddagh in Griffith's Valuation 1857, and their mother, Eliza, lived on until 1896. (See the ancestor profile for Thomas for sources and links). 

There were 4 farms in Cornamudda and the Higginson farm #2 was held in partnership by William, Francis and Robert Higginson, and Robert Coyle (presumed married to a Higginson). William Higginson  & partners were recorded in Cornamuddagh in the tithe applotments of 1834. These "partners" were clustered together in a family rundale village (or clachan) near the roadside.

So John Robert Higginson was born in farmhouse 2a (see attached)  It does look like there are traces of the old Higginson settlement still there. See googlemap street view here of the gate leading into it. 

Hi Roger:

I have J.R. HIgginson's death - 1908 and it says he was 60 which puts his birth around 1848. I don't put too much emphasis on ages in census - they are invariably incorrect! His death age could also be incorrect .... 

Regarding discrepancies in Irish Census Returns, see: 

Intentional Age-Misreporting, Age-Heaping, and the 1908 Old Age Pensions Act in Ireland

[Chronicle with source links for John R. Higginson of Drumshanbo]

Thank you, Rua - that is a great resource!

Lorraine:

As Rua indicated the Old Age Pension Act resulted in more accurate ages on the 1911 census and possibly some age inflation. The 1901 census ages were generally lower than reality but age was not as important then until the Pension Act was passed. I've seen ages increase 20 years between 1901 and 1911.

Roger

Sorry it was Rua who provided the Higginson details ... Rua, are we Higginson cousins?

Hi Lorraine

Yes it was I. But no relation that I know of (although most of Ireland is related by 6 degrees). I'm just volunteering for the Boyle-Carrick district.