James O'Prey actor in USA
This post was deleted by the author on 30 Aug 2012 1:25PM GMT
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
I have researched the 1911 Irish Census and would like further info on the 11 children of David and Margaret O'Prey from Newtownards. Only 9 were listed as still alive, Agnes died in 1909 aged 33. Who else had died? I believe my grandfather was Walter O'Prey, one of the eleven children. Many thanks in advance for any help. Keith O'Prey
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
This post was deleted by the author on 30 Aug 2012 1:26PM GMT
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
Hello, I am the great great granddaughter of James O'Prey. To my knowledge, James had a daughter with Maggie Armour in 1899 in Newtownards, named Madge Armour. I discovered that James and Maggie were never married as his name was not on Madge's birth certificate and he must have left for USA just before or after she was born.
Madge later married William John Hawkins.
Any information you have about the O'Prey family I would be very interested in learning more about the family especially about who he married in USA and about his twin daughters.
Thank you
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
Hi, Thank you for replying to my posting. Unfortunately there must be two James O'Prey. My James was my grandfather's eldest brother and he married in 1915 in Los Angeles to a lady called Lucinda Mary Ripper they had twin daughters in 1919 in the same area, these were their only children. My James was born in Newtownards in 1878 to David and Margaret O'Prey, along with 10 other children. Sorry but I cannot help you. Kind regards and best wishes in your search.
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
My great grandfather was James O'Prey born in Newtownards, Co. Down. His father was David. James left his wife and daughter behind when he went to USA but kept in touch until his wife died in 1950. She had steadfastly refused to go to America. The family knew he had changed his name and was an actor but nothing else about his life. The dates fit what we know of him. He returned at one point to persuade his wife to go back with him but she again refused. This was in 1915 and was possibly why he then married in the USA. I would love more information about him.
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
Hi, Thank you for showing an interest in the message board listing. Unfortunately your g.g.grandfather James must have been another James in Newtownards. Our James did not leave a daughter in Ireland. Ancestry have several James O'Preys living in Newtownards maybe you are descended from one of these. It is strange coincidence that some of the information fits our James but not about a daughter. I would be interested to know where you got the information about a name change and his being an actor. So sorry that I cannot help you best wishes in your research.
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
Sorry but I think this is the same person. My mother is still alive and she wrote to him when she was at home. The information about the name change and acting came from James in his letters. There was also a photograph he sent of himself in costume.Newtownards was a small town in the early 20th century and the O'Preys a very well known family.\David was a Justice of the Peace and at one time mayor. He had 11 children altogether.My great grandmother was known as Mrs O'Prey but I suspect that she was not married to James and I only found today that his name is not on my grandmothers birth certificate. That may explain why she would not write to him although he sent parcels of dried fruit and other food, and even clothes to the family, particularly during the war when things were tough.Strangely there are several pairs of twins in the O'Prey andHawkins families... Hawkins being my Grandmothers married name.Christian name Margaret strangely enough. I am convinced it is the same James!
|
Re: James O'Prey actor in USA
Hi Marlene, Your message is convincing please send me your email address as most of what I can tell you is personal and not for general knowledge. You can then delete your message post so as to keep your email address secure once I have seen it.
|