Monday, June 25, 2012

Robert James Millar + Bridget Mc Grane

The following information contributed by Alan + Tina Bennet.......

Robert James Millar (born 1886, Strabane) was married to Bridget McGrane (daughter of Charles + Mary Anne Mc Grane, born c 1888 in Ballinacarrick, Ballintra, Co Donegal).

Bridget was from Ballintra in Co Donegal. She had moved to Strabane to work in her brother's, Jim and Charles, shop. Family lore says that Bridget went to America where she met a man. On a visit back home to tell her parents, she met Robert Millar.

Robert married Bridget McGrane at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Melmount, Strabane in 1915. Robert James Millar was a Presbyterian but became a Roman Catholic to marry Bridget.

They lived at 16 Bridge St Strabane, the house that his father Joseph and mother Maria had moved to between 1901 and 1911.

In 1938 a fire destroyed the First Presbyterian church in Townsend Street. Robert volunteered himself to help fight the fire. The Presbyterians told him he was not needed!

The act of marrying a Catholic meant Robert's relationsip with the rest of his family would be strained for years to come.

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