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Rice ancestors in Loughinisland/Megaheralone

I noticed tha there may be some volunteer assistance when I visit Ireland in the first two weeks of July. I am researching my great great grandfather, James Rice, born in 1818 (we think. Death records say he was born 01 may 1818), but it could be 1820, 21, or even as late as 1828. New DNA research suggests that he is most likely from the Rice family from Loughinisland/Megaheralone/Ballynahinch area in County Down. We believe that his father was a Barnay (perhaps Bernard) and mother may have been Eliza (Elizabeth) and most likely a brother John, a few years older. He would have immigrated to the US in 1846 or thereabouts. I and my family will be in Ireland July 2-15 and I want to visit the Megaheralone area and check local parish/church/cemetery records, and anything else that may shed some light on whether my ancestor was part of this group or not. Any advice, suggestions or assistance that you folks may provide would be greatly appreciated. I have been researching this for over a year and hopefully I am close to solving the mystery. I can be reached on this site or either of the following emails: kevinrice51@gmail.com or kevin.l.rice@jpl.nasa.gov

Thank you so much,

Kevin Rice

IrelandXO member

4 replies

Hi Kevin

www.rootsireland.ie/ has 5 James Rice baptism records from Loughinisland R C parish 1810 - 1820:

1810 father John

1812  "       Edward

1812    Jales

1814    James

1820 Edward

There are none with parents Barnaby & Eliza /beth I'm afraid. I couldn't find him in Magheralin or Ballynahinch either

Here are some siblings however:

Name:Patrick RiceDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:12-May-1815Address:
Parish/District:LOUGHINISLANDGender:MaleCountyCo. Down
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Bernard RiceMother:ElizabethOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Rev J McLinnanSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:M Hannah
Notes:

REV W MCMULLAN œ0 1 8 MGR [OTHER COMMENTS] MGR ENTERED IN THE REGISTER
THAT THE CHILD DIED 13/05/1815.

Name:Margaret Jane RiceDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:16-Apr-1816Address:
Parish/District:LOUGHINISLANDGender:FemaleCountyCo. Down
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Bernard RiceMother:ElizabethOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:Hugh RogersSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Maria
Notes:

REV W MCMULLAN œ0 1 8.

Name:Catherine RiceDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:01-Nov-1820Address:
Parish/District:LOUGHINISLANDGender:FemaleCountyCo. Down
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Bernard RiceMother:ElizabethOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:John MullanSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Catherine Magraw
Notes:

REV W MCMULLAN œ0 2 6.

Name:Elizabeth RiceDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:29-Jun-1831Address:
Parish/District:BALLYNAHINCHGender:FemaleCountyCo. Down
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:Bernard RiceMother:Elizabeth McMullanOccupation:
Sponsor 1 /
Informant 1:James MooreSponsor 2 /
Informant 2:Rose Anne Mulholland

Col

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Kevin, I may be of help. I am from the area you are enquiring about your ancestors. My family is Rice and my father's home is near the parish border for Loughinisland and Drumaness. There is a road that separates these called the Magheralone Road but not spelt the way you've put it. So, I would think the proper spelling has been lost over the years! Here's a map on Google to check. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Magheralone+Rd,+Ballynahinch+BT24+8…   I will ask my father about family details. He might know something!

 

 

 

IrelandXO member

Johnny,

 

Thanks for the reply. I would love to hear anything about the family that you may find out. I was able to visit Ireland this July and drove through Loughinisland, Ballynahinch and drove on the Magheralone road. We located a farm that belonged to a John Rice that passed away in 2002 as well as some cemeteries that had some of my relatives in it. Still trying to confirm that my ancestor James Rice was born there. Family lore has it that his father's name was Bernard (Barney) but I don't see any son James born to a Bernard, but perhaps it wasn't recorded. he would have been born around 1818, maybe slightly later. I think he is part of the Rice family from Loughinisland.

IrelandXO member

My father was originally from loughinisland
His father and mother where James and Matilda Rice

They lived across the road from where Brennans garage is down the lane and James built them a house before he passed away.

Most of my uncles and aunts moved to down Patrick, England, Canada and Belfast.  Sorry but my father passed away 7 years ago, but I know there are still some Rices in loughinisland but not sure if their the same family.

My grandfather and grandmother are buried in the Old Loughinisland cemetery in a grave downhill from the big chapel as we call it to the left where you park your cars 

tonyrice

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