Alexander McDowell ca. 1730

Ireland, and in particular Ulster, was heavily settled by people from Scotland, England and Wales in the 1600s. Most of those were Protestants, though there were some RC settlers too. Those from England and Wales tended to be identifiable later because they were members of the Church of Ireland; those from Scotland were mostly Presbyterian. The settlement was known as the plantation of Ulster. Here?s a link that tells you a bit about the plantation of Ulster.

http://www.ulsternationalist.freeservers.com/custom2.html

The estimates vary but it is reckoned that in the 100 years to 1700, about 100,000 Scots settled in Ireland (representing about 10% of the entire population of Scotland at the time). Throughout the 1700s, about a half their descendants ie another 100,000 people left Ireland and went to the USA and what is now Canada.

So to answer your question about whether there were Protestants in Ulster in the 1700s, the answer is yes. In fact they formed the majority of the population.

Tracing relatives who emigrated in the 1700s is very difficult indeed. Very few churches have records that go back that far, and there are precious few other records form the period either.

Using this link, you will see that in the mid 1800s, the name McDowell was most commonly found in Cos Antrim & Down. That would be highly indicative of Scottish origins, as those 2 counties were the most heavily populated by Scots and because the name McDowell is Scottish. If your family was also Presbyterian (as I strongly suspect they were) then you have 3 strands of proof of Scottish origins. There are no records of where the Scots settlers came from (save for a few major landowners) and so finding out exactly where in Scotland they originated is not normally possible. In general the majority of Scots settlers came from the South West of Scotland and around Edinburgh and the Scottish borders. That?s about as far as you can usually say.

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/

Sharon,

Delighted to help. I don?t think I can find your family because, as I have already explained, the records probably don?t exist. However if you should need any more general background information about movement between Scotland and Ulster, let me know. Likewise if you ever decide to visit Ireland and need local information, ask me. Happy to give you suggestions on what to do and where to go.

Scotland is just 20 miles from Cos Antrim & Down and is clearly visible on most days. The cultural links between the two places are also very strong. Some people in Cos Antrim and Down still speak with an accent that is identifiable with the Scottish accent and are very proud of their heritage. The Ulster Scots Agency exists to promote that. That seems to be your own heritage. You might be interested: http://www.ulsterscotsagency.com/

Elwyn

Well I suppose if your ancestors came from Co Antrim or Down, then the thing to do would be to have a good look at them. Typical things to see are:

• A drive through the Mountains of Mourne in Co Down
• Visit Downpatrick to see where St Patrick is buried (allegedly)
• Mount Stewart stately home near Newtownards (home of the Marquess of Londonderry) or Castle Ward at Strangford. (Both in Co Down).
• Titanic Exhibition in Belfast docks
• Open top Bus tour of Belfast (bring umbrella)
• Crown Bar in Belfast (200 years old, gas lit. Very popular with visitors)
• Traditional Irish singing and fiddly-dee music in Fibber Magee?s bar (next to the Crown). Most nights from 9pm onwards.
• If you like good seafood, go to the Mourne Seafood Bar in Belfast. (Booking pretty well essential in the evenings but you can get in at lunchtime more easily).
• Tour of Crumlin Rd Jail in Belfast. (Includes the execution cell and an opportunity to lie in the coffin).
• Giant?s Causeway, Co Antrim (busiest tourist attraction in Ireland).
• Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge Co Antrim (a few miles from the Giants Causeway)
• Dunluce Castle (Scottish baronial castle on a cliff - former home of the Earls of Antrim till part of it fell into the sea during dinner one night). Again a couple of miles from the Giants Causeway
• Bushmills Distillery (a couple of miles from Giants Causeway)
• A drive along the coastal round from Giant?s Causeway to the Glens of Antrim (via Torr Head minor road). Great views across to Scotland and to Rathlin Island. Stop in Cushendun (pretty harbour village) for a drink in Molly McBride?s bar.
• Day trip to Rathlin Island to view the bird colonies, seals etc (best in Apr ? Jun). 20 minute crossing time if you get the fast ferry. 40 on the slow one.
• Carrickfergus Castle. Carrickfergus was the original capital of Ulster before Belfast. The castle is 600 years old. It was a military base until recently and is intact.
• Ulster ? American Folkpark in Co Tyrone. Everything for the American or Canadian ancestor hunter.
• US presidents Homesteads. (US Presidents whose ancestors came from Northern Ireland are: Andrew Jackson, James Knox Polk, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Ulysses Simpson Grant, Chester Alan Arthur, William McKinley, Woodrow Wilson, Benjamin Harrison & Grover Cleveland.) Many of their homesteads are now tourist attractions.
• Elsewhere, Londonderry/Derry is well worth a days visit. Walk round the city walls (the only completely intact set of walls in any city in Europe). See the guns used at the siege of Derry. See St Columbs Cathedral. Visit the Bogside and see the murals. Learns about the more recent conflict in the area between Protestants and Catholics. Buy some corny souvenirs in the many tourist shops. In the town. It?s very compact and easily covered on foot. Walk over the peace bridge from one side of the river to the other. If using public transport, take the train to Derry as it goes along the coast between Coleraine and Derry and it?s a great view. One of the most scenic train journeys in Europe. (Or so they say).

Not sure how much time you have but let me know if you would like some more suggestions.

Elwyn