Postman Bill from Derry City

MARTIN, REID, BOYLE and CAREY Genealogy

This is a search into the family background of William MARTIN, a postman from Derry City, N. Ireland who was born in 1857, in St Johnston, Co. Donegal and his wife Bridget (McSheffrey). Reference is made to his wife's family and the families of his children and their relatives - particularly the Careys, McSheffreys, Reids, Boyles, O’Neills.

William MARTIN’s baptism is recorded on March 3,1857 in the register of the RC Church of St Baithin, St Johnston (where parish records began in 1843), although the addresses of his father, James MARTIN and mother, Elizabeth (BURNS) together with the sponsor Mary MARTIN are not noted.

William MARTIN married Bridget McSHEFFREY on January 1st 1889 in St Eugene’s RC Church, Londonderry. William’s father, James, was a butcher and Bridget’s father, William, a farmer,from Magheryard, Upper Fahan Civil Parish, Co. Donegal).

William MARTIN died on 28th July 1917 aged 60 years and Bridget died on the 8th April 1937 aged 68 both in the (now demolished). family home, 29 Bishop Street, Derry City

William and Bridget had seven children, James, Elizabeth (m John REID), William (Bill), Eileen (m James BOYLE), Patrick, Sarah Jean (m Michael LOHAN) and May (unmarried). Bill’s mother-in-law was Ellen CAREY whose family history is also included here.

The Postman Bill genealogy will try to discover details about these families back to the early 1800s and forward to the year 2007. It will include photographs and personal anecdotes to illustrate the localities and history associated with this period.

[The Family Tree Maker software automatically removes the personal details (including dates of birth) of living persons when it uploads data to the internet, for privacy and to protect children from exploitation. To see the full details you would need to obtain a GEDCOM copy of the original Family Tree file from me and the appropriate software to view it].

Thanks are due to Malachy Carey, John Carey, Paul Martin, Kiron Reid, Sean Reid and Richard Martin for their contributions.

My Family History

• Surname List


• Index of Individuals


• InterneTree


• Sources

Family Photos

• Bernard O'Neill JP (28 KB)
  
• William's Baptismal Certificate (62 KB)
  Used as part of William's "Proof of Age" when he took the Civil Service Examination in 1873 prior to his becoming a postman
• Anna at Fr B's grave, Navan (41 KB)
  
• The McKeague Family (44 KB)
  Back Row - Richard, Gerard, Sean, Nicholas, Murty, Seamus. Front Row - Helena, Mairead, Jim, Philomena and Patrick
• Amelie Jadzia Kendal (44 KB)
  Karen's and Mike's daughter
• Wm. Martin - Baptism Cert. (57 KB)
  
• Grandchildren - (Back Row) (57 KB)
  Rear - Liam O'Hara, Geraldine McKeague,Kevin McK., Helen Etherson, Mary McK., Jim, Phil., Karen E., Steve E., Katherine McK., Helena McK.,.
• Bernard O'Neill JP (23 KB)
  
• Declan in India (32 KB)
  
• Proof of Age (71 KB)
  Statement sworn by James Martin before the Justice of the Peace, Mr McClintock, that his (James's) son William was born on 12 January 1857.
• Fr Richard's Ordination - (35 KB)
  Back Row - Cissie, Annie, Bernard, Nora, Nellie. Front Row - Bernard (Sen) Rev Richard, Ellen "The Portrait" referred to in the Book, Chapter 4
• P Reid/M Carton Marriage Cert (52 KB)
  Marriage Certificate of Patrick Reid and Mary Teresa Carton - Killeshandra, County Cavan, Ireland 1885
• Anna's Birthday Party (34 KB)
  Party at Pizza Express Restuarant, Manchester. Anticlockwise, Michael, Karen, Anna, Jan, Jo (John's wife), Jo (Steve's wife) , Steve, John, Liam, Michele and Stuart (Peter is off Picture)
• Bishop Gate - Derry City -1883 (95 KB)
  The Martin home, 29 Bishop Street, Derry City. The house adjoins Bishop Gate on the LHS.
• Liam Martin (28 KB)
  Dr W J (Liam) Martin author of the Postman Bill Genealogy Site
• Postman Bill and friends (27 KB)
  William Martin in centre

Family Tree Maker Reports and Trees

• InterneTree: William J Martin Sale


• Genealogy Report: Documented Events Report


• Report: Bibliography of Sources (View PDF)