HIGGINS, Michael ^{1 2}

   Another name for Michael was HAGANS, Michael.

  General Notes:

The 1881 census for Blantyre, Scotland recorded Michael and Sarah Higgins and their five children residing in the area of Blantyre known as Stonefield. The head of the family, Michael, was a coal miner aged 39 years, who had been born in Kirkintilloch. His wife and children had been born in various parts of Lanarkshire.

In 1891, Michael, with his wife and family, were still resident at McAlpine's Building in Stonefield, Blantyre. Michael and Sarah had six children living with them. Michael was recorded as aged 49 years and was employed as a coal miner. His birthplace was Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire. Their dwelling had two rooms windowed.

Michael was a coal miner in 1897 when his daughter Ellen married. ¹

  Research Notes:

WHICH MICHAEL HIGGINS?

The IGI has a record of a Michael Higgins, christened 15 July 1844 at Killtomb and Camma, County Roscommon, Ireland, son of Peter Higgins and Biddy Fihily which may be this man.

His mother's name on our record is transcribed from Michael's marriage certificate of 1862. 'Fallon' or perhaps 'Fallen' is written in after a crossed out name (that of the bride's mother-itself written as a slightly different name from its usual) in a smallish space. Considering that that the two surnames Fihily (pronounced 'Feely') and Fallon or Fallen begin with the same syllable type, and end with syllables that might be mistaken one for the other by non-Irish scribes, then it is a distinct possibility that this is the same family.

The age given by Michael of 21 at his marriage gives a birth year of 1840-1841, whereas this is 1844. Nevertheless it is common enough for non-literates (Michael made his X mark) to be inaccurate in dating age too.

The IGI also records three older brothers: Peter (born 1835), James (born 1838) and Pat (born 1841) christened in the same place. Their mother Bridget's surname is spelt variously as 'Feehily', 'Fihily', and again 'Feehily'. Michael's own marriage produced three sons named with exactly these names.

Having said all this, more research is needed, especially since both Fallon and Fihily are surnames that are not uncommon equally in Roscommon.

Michael married Sarah Jane McNERNEY, daughter of Patrick McNERNEY and Catherine McCONVILL, on 24 October 1862 in Lennoxtown of Campsie, Stirlingshire, Scotland. (Sarah Jane McNERNEY was baptised on 12 July 1844 in St Macnissi's RC Parish, Larne, County Antrim, Ireland ³ and died 7 October 1893 at 3.15 pm in McAlpine's Land, Stonefield, Blantyre, Lanarkshire, Scotland.). The cause of her death was phtisis pulmonalis.

  Marriage Notes:

The marriage was celebrated after banns according to the rites and forms of the Roman Catholic Church. The priest was Father William Geddes RCC. The witnesses were Hugh Dunnion and Peter Gouldie.

Michael Higgins, who made his X mark, was an unmarried man of 21 years. He worked as a coal miner. His address was noted as Cowgate, Kirkintilloch. His father was deceased.

Sarah McNarnie was also unmarried, and worked as a cotton weaver. She was 18 years old and also of Cowgate, Kirkintilloch. She made her X mark.

The marriage was registered at Campsie on 25 October 1862, William Gilchrist being the signing registrar.