Mary Dickson was born on 4 Oct 1880 in Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland. Her father, John Dickson, was a carpenter and after he died his wife, also Mary, née Jennings, worked as a publican, according to the census of 1901. Her address was 29 Church Street, Downpatrick.

This photograph of Mary Taylor, née Dickson, and her husband David was taken for their Golden Wedding anniversary in 1956. Note the "50" on the cake.

Click here to open a new window with source citations for the tree above.

The younger Mary Dickson's name also appears in the census for 1901. According to her son, David John Taylor, she met her future husband David Dickson Taylor when he was on holiday in Downpatrick. They were married in 1906 at Clough, County Down.

Fortunately for family history researchers Mary appears to have kept a record of key family dates, as shown below. It was either Mary or one of her siblings, because the dates written sideways at the top of the sheet are those of her parents and they are labelled appropriately.

Father died 20th Oct 1898
James died Feb 3rd 1931
Mother 18 July 1938

Although there are very few names, the initials and dates provide enough evidence to identify the other members of the Dickson family. I have transcribed most of the list and explained the initials where I can.

John Dickson B. July 29, 1842
M (Mary) neé Jennings B. May 9th 1845
Married July 7th 1865
------ ------ ------
WJD (William John Dickson) B. 27th May 1872
RD (Rhoda Dickson) B. 29th Dec 1883
Married 3rd Dec 1907
------ ------ ------
Hugh B. April 2nd 1866
James B. March 6th 1868
MC (Margaret) B. April 15th 1870
WJ (William John) B. May 27th 1872
EG (Elizabeth) B. Aug 18th 1874 Died Aug 25th 1874
EG (Elizabeth) B. Oct 25th 1875
DD (David) B. June 26th 1878 Died Feb 2nd 1883
MD (Mary) B. Oct 4th 1880 Died Apr 8th 1957
(Other sources suggest this should be 1958)

DD (David) B. Dec 28th 1884
------ ------ ------
Names of R & W
JD (John) B. 19th Feb 1909
GB (George Boomer) B. 9th March 1911
RE (Rhoda Elizabeth) B. 30th March 1914
------ ------ ------
MCD Married J (…) S (John Smythe) at Clough by Revd. M(…)D on 2nd August 1899
Hugh at Clough by (…) SD on 20th March 1901
James at Clough by Rev McElney 4th March 1903
Liz at Clough by MSD 4th March 1903
Min (Mary) 5th Sept 1906
David to Chrissie Ross at New York USA by the Rev Dr Stone 13th Oct 1907
Willie at St John (…) Bank Belfast by Rev N E Smith 3rd Dec 1907

If anyone can improve on my transcription, or fill in the gaps, please let me know.

Below is a link to a page about the Dickson family in Downpatrick and a snapshot view of their circumstances in the 1901 census.

When Mary Jennings married John Dickson in 1865 her father, Hugh Jennings, was described as a turnkey. I have included some information about him and his work on a separate page.

One of Mary's brothers, David Dickson, emigrated to the USA, hence his marriage to Chrissie Ross as recorded above on the family fact sheet. Find out more from the third link below.

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Here are some explanatory notes for the family members featured in the links below.

Mary Dickson's family in Downpatrick
Hugh Jennings, Mary Dickson's grandfather
David Dickson, born 1884, brother of Mary Dickson

The Dicksons of Downpatrick Hugh Jennings David Dickson