Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

Looking for any McAdam's

Hello

I am looking to see if anyone has any information on some of my relatives that were born in Ireland. My great great grandfather was John McAdam (1842) and his wife was Jane (Ferguson -1837). They were married abt. 1864 before moving to Scotland. He died in 1890 and she passed in 1912. His parents were Samuel(1809) and Jane McAdam. His father was Jon and mother was Ann (Latham). Sorry but I do not have many more details then that.

I am travelling to Ireland May 16 2026 and would love to have a little more information. I would also appreciate any guidance that anyone can give me on places to look for records etc.

thanks, Todd

toddm

13 replies

John McAdam married Jane Ferguson on 10th Oct 1864 at Lisburn Register Office. Both lived in Ballykeel, parish of Dromore, Co. Down.

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1864/11625/8279940.pdf

Griffiths Valuation (1863) lists Samuel McAdam on plot 25 in Ballykeel, which was just under 5 acres. That’s on the modern Ballynahinch Rd. Looking at the property today it looks as though there’s a modern house there replacing the 1860s buildings. The Valuation Revision Records on the PRONI website show Samuel McAdam deleted as tenant by 1872. He appears to have moved to a house and garden on plot 56a. Here's his death in 1892. Informant was son Henry who replaced him as tenant of that plot.

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1892/06039/4720261.pdf

There was a James McAdam on plots 23 & 24, so perhaps a relation? Samuel appears to have taken his property over until being deleted in 1872. The new tenant was a Joseph Hamilton. VAL/12/B/20/2A (1866 - 1881) at PRONI.

Here’s the family in 1901:

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1892/06039/4720261.pdf

And in 1911:

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Ballykeel/Ballykeel/249323/

Note Mary McAdam, niece, was born in Scotland, so there was evidently some toing and froing.

Family was Presbyterian so if looking for church records, the family may have attended one of the nearby Presbyterian churches. Possibilities are 1st Dromore (records start 1832) Banbridge Rd (records start 1851) and Drumlough (records start 1855).

Henry died in 1942. His will should be in PRONI (in paper format). Yoy cna view it there free, or pay PRONI to copy it and send it to you.

Probate abstract:

McAdam Henry of Ballykeel Dromore county Down farmer died 15 February 1941 at Lisburn and Hillsborough District Hospital Lisburn county Antrim Probate Belfast 7 April to Owen Keenan merchant and Hugh Jess farmer. Effects £493 0s. 4d.

This lady also has a will in PRONI:

McAdam Martha Jane of Ballykeel Dromore county Down spinster died 7 June 1924 Probate Belfast 13 May to Samuel McAdam farm labourer and Samuel Crawford school teacher. Effects £3.

Family in 1901:

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Down/Ballykeel/Ballykeel/1240157/

1911:

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Ballykeel/Ballykeel/249288/

You can tell from the supplementary returns that accompany the census that the property in 1911 had walls made of brick or stone, a roof made of slate, iron or concrete, 2 rooms, there were 2 windows at the front and it had a fowl house.

This household in the townland then too. No idea if they are related:

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Down/Ballykeel/Ballykeel/249283/

Ann McAdam death 1921:

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1921/05099/4400895.pdf

I don’t see a Ferguson house in Ballykeel but there was a William Ferguson in Growell which is just a few hundred yards away, so possibly that’s where Jane originated.

https://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Todd,

Per RootsIreland (paid subscription)

Name:Henry McadamDate of Birth:14-Aug-1857
  Date of Baptism:25-Nov-1857
Address:BallykeelParish/District:DRUMLOUGH PRESBYTERIAN
Gender:MaleCountyCo. Down
Denomination:
Father:Samuel McadamMother:Jane Harrison
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /Informant 1:Sponsor 2 /Informant 2:
Notes:
Minister/Priest: MCCLELLAND JOHN.

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Todd,

Name:John McadamDate of Birth:20-May-1835
  Date of Baptism:2-Jun-1835
Address:BallykeelParish/District:DRUMLOUGH PRESBYTERIAN
Gender:MaleCountyCo. Down
Denomination:
Father:Samuel McadamMother:
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /Informant 1:Sponsor 2 /Informant 2:
Notes:
Minister/Priest: CRORY SAMUEL.

@@@

Name:Martha Jane McadamDate of Birth:0-Jan-0
  Date of Baptism:18-May-1857
Address:BallykeelParish/District:1ST DROMORE PRESBYTERIAN
Gender:FemaleCountyCo. Down
Denomination:
Father:Samuel McadamMother:
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /Informant 1:Sponsor 2 /Informant 2:

@@@@@@

Name:Samuel McAdamDate of Birth:03-Aug-1809
  Date of Baptism:06-Aug-1809
Address:BallynarisParish/District:Dromore
Gender:CountyCo. Down
Denomination:Church Of Ireland
Father:John McAdamMother:Anne Latham
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /Informant 1:

mtvrdk@gmail.com
NameHenry McAdam
GenderMale
Birth Date1857
Birth PlaceCounty Down, Northern Ireland
Death Date15 Feb 1941
Death PlaceLisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
CemeteryDrumlough Presbyterian Churchyard
Burial or Cremation PlaceHillsborough, County Down, Northern Ireland
Has Bio?Y
URLhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/283528245/henry-mcadam

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Todd

NameJohn McAdam
GenderMale
Birth PlaceDromore, County Down, Northern Ireland
Death Date19 Dec 1890
Death PlaceBridgeton, Glasgow City, Scotland
CemeterySandymount Cemetery
Burial or Cremation PlaceGlasgow, Glasgow City, Scotland
Has Bio?Y
SpouseJane McAdam
ChildrenEsther McIntyreSamuel McAdamJane McAdamWilliam McAdam
URLhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/260806288/john-mcadam

@@@@@

Record from Ancestry

Henry McAdam

in the Ireland, Census Search Forms, 1841-1851

NameHenry McAdam
Residence Date1851
Residence PlaceGrowell, Dromore, Down, Ireland
Residence BaronyIveagh Lr Lr 1/2
FatherSamuel McAdam
MotherJaine Harrison
Household Members (Name)
Ann McAdam
John McAdam
Samuel McAdam
Thomas McAdam
Margt McAdam
Ann McAdam
James McAdam
William McAdam
Jane McAdam
Henry McAdam
Samuel McAdam
Jaine Harrison

@@@@@@

NameSamuel Mc Adam
GenderMale
Birth Date31 Dec 1837
Birth PlaceDromore Parish, Down, Ireland
FatherSamuel Mc Adam
MotherJane Harrison
FHL Film Number496515

@@@@@

NameJas McAdam
Death Age51
Birth Dateabt 1850[abt 1850]
Death DateAbt 1901
Death PlaceWest Melbourne, Victoria
Registration Date1901
Registration PlaceAustralia
FatherMcAdam Saml
MotherJane Harrison
Registration Number6851

@@@@@@@@@@@@

Elwyn was using this source

Irish Genealogy - Explore your Family History

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Mary McAdam

Birth

1876

Scotland

Death

24 Mar 1940 (aged 63–64)

Lisburn, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Burial

Drumlough Presbyterian Churchyard

Hillsborough, County Down, Northern Ireland

Memorial ID

283528328 · View Source

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Looks as though the family may have attended Drumlough Presbyterian. According to my guide to Presbyterian records, the first Minister was appointed in 1819 but no records appear to have been kept till a different Minister was appointed in 1855. Prior to 1819, the family must presumably have attended one of the other churches in the area (but none of them seem to have any early records either). Drumlough united with Annahilt Presbyterian in 1974.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Todd,

Maybe your Jane Ferguson from RootsIreland?? Siblings- Robert 1829 and 1831, John 1832, Mary 1834. Robert and Marys' baptismal record identify Jane Reid as mother.

Name:Jane FergusonDate of Birth:21-Jun-1836
  Date of Baptism:15-Aug-1836
Address:GrowellParish/District:DRUMLOUGH PRESBYTERIAN
Gender:FemaleCountyCo. Down
Denomination:
Father:William FergusonMother:
Occupation:
Sponsor 1 /Informant 1:Sponsor 2 /Informant 2:
Notes:
Minister/Priest: CRORY SAMUEL.

@@@@@@@

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Todd,

Maybe Jane's sister (RootsIreland)

Date of Marriage:2-Mar-1855  
Parish / District:BANBRIDGECounty:Co. Down
HusbandWife
Name:RobertNewellMaryFerguson
Address:Ballylintagh AnnahiltGrowell
Denomination:Church of IrelandChurch of Ireland
Occupation:FARMER
Age:Full Age (Over 21)Full Age (Over 21)
Status:Bachelor (Previously unmarried)Spinster (Previously unmarried)
Husband's FatherWife's Father
Name:RobertNewellWilliamFerguson
Address:
Denomination:
Occupation:FARMERWEAVER
Husband's MotherWife's Mother
Name:
Address:
Denomination:
Occupation:
Witness 1Witness 2
Name:NancyGarretWilliamFaulkner
Address:
Notes:
Church:  DROMORE Church of Ireland
BY LICENCE REV R A AGAR.

mtvrdk@gmail.com

Hi Elwyn

Thanks so much for this amazing information. Some of the information I did know but it is so interesting to see the lines that lead off to other people they are connected to. It has been wonderful looking at the links that you included. It has given me so much new information and places to look.

My hope that in the next few weeks, before I travel to Ireland in May, that I can locate some cemetery plots or known places that some of these relatives would be at. There seems to be some general commonality in names of locations in Ireland that may point to several places .Although its great to have the "X marks the spot", I find that rarely happens in family research. Do you know of any community boards that I can put a similar posting up and see if can get any relatives responding ?. I am guessing that there are many McAdam's in Ireland and would love to see if we share some common ancestors.

Cant thank you enough. I am so appreciative of your help.

Todd

toddm

Todd,

Drumlough Presbyterian church has a graveyard so I would start your graveyard search there. Also Dromore 1st & Dromore 2nd and Dromore cathedral all have graveyards too. You could try them.

Drumlough Presbyterian has a Facebook page. You could try putting a message on it to see if anyone in the congregation is a McAdam or knowns of any.

https://www.facebook.com/drumloughchurch/?locale=en_GB

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Once again, thanks so much for the valuable information. I will follow up on it and see if leads me to something.

toddm

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.