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Robert Carew Armstrong and Margaret Ann Massey

Robert Carew Armstrong and Margaret Ann Massey Armstrong and their six children left County Cork, Ireland on July 31, 1823 on the Peter Robinsonship called "Hebe", arrived at the port of Quebec, Canada August 31, 1823. Robert and Margaret settled in the Carleton County, Ontario, Canada.

We have discovered anddesigned the Armstrong Family History Album, plus the Massey FamilyHistory Album.

We have also found that Robert Carew Armstrong's brother John Armstrong and his wife Elizabeth " Eliza"Francis Massey (sister to Margaret Ann Massey Armstrong) and their children left County Cork, Ireland May 11, 1825 on the Peter Robinson ship called "Resolution" and arrived at the port of Quebec, Canada June 12, 1825. John and Eliza Armstrong settled in the Carleton County, Onatrio, Canada.

Thank you

Christena Booth

IrelandXO member

5 replies

Christena,

According to this site, these are the counties where both Armstrong & Massey were common surnames in the mid 1850s. That may give you a clue as to where your families originated, though I suspect you may need DNA testing to find anything more accurate. What denomination were your families, do you know?

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

Armagh

Belfast city

Cork city

Down

Dublin

Limerick

Tipperary

 

Generally, the surname Armstrong is associated with the north of England and the Scottish Borders. It is very common in Ireland (over 6000 in the 1901 census) but most are descendants of the large numbers of Armstrongs who moved to Ireland in the 1600s at the time of the Plantation. They were, and still are, known as Border Reivers (reiver = robber). It’s a somewhat tongue in cheek epithet these days but many thousands from that area of Britain were moved across to Ireland in the 1600s to kill two birds with one stone by reducing the local lawlessness in that part of Britain, plus ensuring sufficient settlers went to Ireland to make the Plantation viable. (100,000 Scots settled in Ireland in the 1600s representing 10% of the entire population of Scotland. It was a massive wave of migration). For a bit more on the Border Reivers, see:

http://www.borderreivers.co.uk/Border%20Families/BORDER%20SURNAMES%20%202.htm

So your family probably has splendid heritage. Today the Reivers are celebrated in the Scottish Borders and there are annual Reiver Festivals there. (If attending, don’t take any valuables obviously).

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Many thanks Elwyn, have just emailed you Christena

All the best

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

IrelandXO member

We have the Armstrong Family Tree back to The Vikings. If you want more info contact us at christenaj.booth@yahoo.ca

IrelandXO member

Christena,

Just found this website tonight. Hoping it will provide some long desired answers.

I came across your post a few minutes ago. Do you have any information on Robert Carew Armstrong's parents and grandparents, particularly the Carew side? Guessing a parent or grandparent had to have been a Carew since they made it his middle name. I'm descended from Thomas Carew, born 1782, and Esther Goulding, born 1784, both in Farahy, Cork, Ireland. His father was Richard Carew, born in 1750. I know Thomas Carew's mother was named Sharon, but I don't know anything else. Are any of these names and dates familiar? I'd really appreciate any information you might have, and would love to trade if we find a connection. I can be reached at kreifel1986@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Kara

kreifel1986@ya…

Hello. I am trying to research my ancestors Captain John Armstrong and Eliza Massy who are siblings to Robert Carew Armstrong and Margaret Massy. I would love to find their marriage registers. I know it was around 1812 but I am unsure of what parish they would have been in. I know the Massy come from Suir Castle Golden Tipperary. Their brother Francis Massy was married in Ballyboy in 1819. I would love to exchange information with any Armstrong researcher. I can be reached at idigupfamily@hotmail.com- Thanks Tina

Tina Hansen

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