VALLELY, Helen

   Cause of her death was consumption over some years.

   Other names for Helen were McGURK, Helen, ROCK, Helen, ROCKS, Helen, UERLIE, Helen, VALLALY, Helen and VALLELY, Ellen.²

  General Notes:

Helen's son, John, was born in 1855 at Carfin. In his birth certificate it was recorded that he was her first child. Helen had been born in 'Gleno', County Tyrone, Ireland and was aged 24 years.

When Ellen or Helen died in 1868 her death certificate recorded that she was married to James McGurk coal miner, and was the widow of John Rocks coal miner. Her age was recorded as 40 years. Her father's name was recorded, and he was deceased, but her mother's name was not known to the informant, James McGurk.

  Research Notes:

GLENO

There is a townland in the parish of Clogher, County Tyrone, called Glenoo. But it is most likely to be Clonoe in County Tyrone that is being referred to.

  Medical Notes:

John I. Barrie MD certified the cause of death.

James McGurk, Helen's husband, who was present who was present where his wife's death occurred, gave notice of her death before the registrar, William Richard, at Holytown on 11 September 1868 and made his X mark.

Helen married James McGURK, son of William McGURK and Mary McQUEEN, on 7 Mar 1693.¹ (James McGURK was born about 1831 and died after 11 Sep 1868.)

  Marriage Notes:

"368. Fordyce (John), eldest son of George Fordyce in Haughs of Ashogle and Barbara Thomson his wife, was a merchant in Turriff, Aberdeenshire. He was married 7th March, 1693, Isobell Lindsay, daughter of William Lindsay of Culsh, in the Parish of New Deer, and Barbara Leith his first wife, and on the 28th of January, 1712, is designed of Craigietocher. On the 25th March, 1714, he was infeft in the whole estate of Gask in the Parish of Turriff (of which Craigietocher formed a part), and died in 1729 or 1730, having settled Gask in his lifetime on his son John, and Culsh in New Deer (which he had also purchased) on his younger son William. The Poll Tax Book of Aberdeenshire, 1696, gives his assessment : ' John Fordyce, tennant, merchant in Turriff, woodsetter ; of stock 5,000 merks ; valuation of his half of lands of Gask, £150. Isobell Lindsay his spouse, his son and three sisters to the said Isobell in familia.' John Fordyce and Isobell Lindsay had three sons and three daughters."

from Family Record ¹

Helen next married John ROCKS on 8 Oct 1853 in St Mary's RC Chapel, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland.² (John ROCKS was born about 1829 in County Armagh, Ireland and died before 30 Aug 1867.)

  Marriage Notes:

The proclamation of banns for this marriage were recorded in the IGI as having been on 2 October 1853 in Bothwell parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland.

The marriage itself took place in St Mary's RC Chapel in Hamilton as recorded in their book of marriages by Father Michael Condon:

' 8 October 1853
John Rocks and Ellen Vallely both of Carfin after due proclamation were married by me in the presence of John Vallely and Nancy Devlin
(signed) Michael Condon' ²

Helen next married James McGURK, son of William McGURK and Mary McQUEEN, on 30 Aug 1867 in Chapelhall, Bothwell Parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland.^{3 4} (James McGURK was born about 1831 and died after 11 Sep 1868.)

  Marriage Notes:

The marriage was solemnised according to the rites and forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The priest was James Milne and the witnesses were Robert King and Mary Ann King.

James was a widower of 36 years, residing at Metal Row, Newarthill. He worked as a coal miner.

Ellen was a widow of 38 years of Watson's Square Newarthill.

The marriage was registered on 2 September 1867 at Holytown, the registrar being William Richard. ⁴