Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

William Galbraith's Parents, 20 June 1788

I am looking for the parents and Irish history of William Galbraith, born 20 June 1788 in Ireland to unknown parents. He seems to have emigrated alone as a 9 year old, departing Ireland about April 1798, and arriving 19 June 1798, possibly on the Brig Eliza which arrived in New York on that date. His parents were probably Presbyterian. My Y-DNA suggests that the Patrick Galbraith below and I have a unknown common ancestor in Ireland or Scotland.

William seems to have lived in the Patrick Galbraith household in Shirley, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania in the 1800 Census of the United States. William remained close to the household until he married and moved. Patricks male line goes back to a Robert Galbraith born about 1670 in Northern Ireland who died in 1738 in Pennsylvania. Roberts father, a John Galbraith died before 1718 in Ireland. Patricks male family line seems connected to James Acheson Galbraith, Gudman of Balgair who died in Ireland on the 3 of No. Anno domini 1618

William Galbraith married Eleanor Robeson and had children with first and middle names, oldest to youngest, Andrew Robeson, Jane Elizabeth, Flora, Robert Campbell, Rosanna, William Jackson, Anna Maria, and Hardman Philips.

I have a public family tree, KDG Family Tree, on Ancestry.com, with attached documents. I am only beginning to look for his parents in Ireland and hope this community will accelerate my quest to know more about my oldest direct male ancestor and my lost Irish heritage. I am starting by reading the other posts on Galbraiths and reading the book, Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors, The Essential Genealogical Guide to Early Modern Ulster 1600-1800 by William J Roulston. Any search suggestions are greatly appreciated.

IrelandXO member

4 replies

Hi Karl

This record from www.rootsireland.ie/ looks promising:

Name:William Galbraith
Date of Baptism:15-Oct-1791Address:TullyweeParish/District:DRUMHOMEGender:MaleCountyCo. Donegal
Denomination:Church Of Ireland
Father:Andrew GalbraithMother:Catherine Kilpatrick

Irish naming pattern: first child named after father's father.

Siblings:

Church BaptismGalbraithGeorge1788Co. Donegal

Church BaptismGalbraithMargaret1789Co. Donegal

Church BaptismGalbraithCatherine1793Co. Donegal

Church BaptismGalbraithRobert1796Co. Donegal

Col

 

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi ColCaff,

Thank you for an unexpectedly quick reply. Do you have any idea what the usual time might have been between a birth and baptism?  The names and locations, of Galbraiths or Galbreaths, by parishes, districts, and counties are all very interesting and essential to developing my focus. The geography of Ireland is new to me and I have no specific origin to focus upon.  The Church of Ireland is also very interesting, and I looked at the 1901 and 1911 Census’ that also showed some Catholic Galbraith’s.  The Irish naming pattern might be a bit blurred for my William because his wife’s father was named Andrew.  I’ve wondered if William was a orphan or a natural child, might he adjust the usual Irish naming pattern in a new land, America. His own name, William, was given to his third son, after Andrew and Robert.  I’ve thought his father’s name might be Robert. 

Karl Galbraith

IrelandXO member

Hi Karl

It's difficult to give a hard and fast answer to your question of birth to baptism time gap.

It was common for baptism to be done quickly but there were also many instances when it was not. Perhaps an older sibling could be baptised with a younger one; or for reasons of poverty or inconvenience it doesn't get done till later.

It's also difficult to know how many adhered to the Irish naming pattern - especially those who emigrated.

www.rootsireland.ie/ has some Galbraith baptisms, burials & marriages from as early as 1660's from Antrim & Derry

Another site you might find useful is PRONI (nidirect) - it has early Will Calendars & Revision Books which may have early Galbraiths.

Col

 

 

 

ColCaffIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi my names peter Audley though my mum's maiden name was Dunn and she often mentioned a connection to galbraith if this is of any help . !

Peter Audley

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.