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John White and Martha Jane Agnew

Antrim

 

I am looking for any information on my 2nd great grandparents, John White b. about 1825 in Antrim (unverified) d. about 1875 Lindsay, Ontario Canada and Martha Jane Agnew b. Apr 1830 Antrim (unverified) d. abt 1905 Lindsay, Ontario, Canada. They were married around 1856 and had Elizabeth White b. 22 Jan 1857 Antrim, Sarah Jane White b. 13 Nov 1858 and William Agnew White b. 28 Feb 1859. I found Martha and the children on a passenger list, arriving in New York in 1868. I am assuming that John came to Canada before them, but couldn't find him on any passenger list. The family is also missing from the 1871 Canadian census. By 1881, Martha Jane is widowed. I have found some trees on Family Search that have John born in Broughshane, Racavan, Ballymena, Antrim and the son of Robert White and Anne but I couldn't verify this. These same trees have Martha Jane Agnew born in Ballynure, Antrim, the daughter of Patrick Agnew and Jane but this information is also unverified. Over the years, we have had several DNA matches to people descended from Elizabeth Agnew b. Jul 1875 Ballyclare, Antrim and William Paul b. 1780 Lisbreen, Antrim. I haven't been able to find a marriage document for John and Martha Jane, or birth records for the children. I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

Caralyn Zeitler

 

 

czeitler

3 replies

Caralyn,

Statutory registration of non RC marriages started in Ireland in 1845. I have searched those records for John White’s marriage to Martha Agnew but cannot find it. So either they didn’t marry in Ireland or the records are lost.

Statutory registration of births didn’t start in Ireland till 1864 so for children born 1856 – 1863 you won't find a birth certificate. You might find their baptisms but those records are probably not on-line.  I’d guess the family were Presbyterian and if they lived around Broughshane, the most likely churches are Broughshane 1st (records from 1827) & Buckna (records from 1836). There are copies of Broughshane 1st & Buckna’s baptism records in PRONI. If you are unable to go yourself, you could employ a researcher. Researchers in the PRONI area: http://sgni.net

Agnew and White are both very common surnames in the Broughshane area.  Loads of graves.

http://www.thebraid.com/ancestor_search.aspx?surname=Agnew&cemetary=Fir…

You mention the Pauls of Lisbreen. I recall a local TV programme some years ago where a Canadian descendant of that family was here in Antrim looking for information. If I recall correctly there is a married Paul lady still there today. Michael Umpherson has been researching that family.

Paul Gravestone in 1st Broughshane.

Erected, by, Moses Paul, Lisbreen, in memory of his beloved wife Nancy Paul who died 12th April 1899 aged 63 years Also their children Robert, died 22nd April 1888 David died 30th Jan 1897 aged 25 years and the above named Moses Paul who died 28th Nov 1900 aged 85 years And Margaret McClintock wife of Archibald Paul died 4th March 1935, aged 71 Also his son Archibald Paul died 12th June 1936 aged 73 Also his grandson Robert Paul died 5th April 1985 aged 78 years 'Death is swallowed up in Victory' 1st Cor XV.54

 

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

 

 

Hi Elwyn,

Thank you for the information. You are correct, the family were Presbyterian. I just might thave to hire someone to look for the baptisms. At least then it could give me a location in Antrim.

Caralyn

czeitler

Caralyn,

Researchers in the PRONI area: http://sgni.net

 

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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