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William McCracken

Hello

I am trying to find out where my Great Great Great Grandfather was born. I have been using the ancestry website, but cannot seem to find anything that relates to where he was born. His dob was in 1806. He married a lady called Jean and they have several children including my Great Great Grandfather Thomas McCracken. Thomas had a daughter called Margaret Ann McCracken who is my Great Grandmother.

I know the McCrackens are linked to Scotland and Northern Ireland.

What has made this more confusing is that I have had a "hint" on the ancestry website to another William McCracken who was born on in 1786 in Ireland and died in Wigtown Scotland on 31.08.1854 which is the same date that the other William McCracken died. He also had a wife called Jean.

I am now very confused by this as the information for the previous generations could be wrong people, children etc.

Please could you help clarify this.

Thank you

Alison

Alison

IrelandXO member

8 replies

Alison:

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

You are correct that McCracken is a Northern Ireland surname with Down and Antrim as the most prevalent counties.

I looked at Roots Ireland and there were three William McCracken records around 1806 but without knowing his parents names, it would be difficult to confirm you had the correct record.

Was Thomas born in Ireland and when? What year did he marry and was it in Ireland? How about his daughter Margaret Ann?

Roger McDonnell

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger

 

Thank you for that information.

 

I have just checked on the ancestry site and Thomas McCracken was born in 1841 in Scotland.

 

I am not sure when Thomas married.

 

Thomas's daughter Margaret Ann was born in Salford, Lancashire in 1867.

 

William was married to a lady called Jean who was born in 1817 and died in 1850.

 

Thank you

 

Alison

 

IrelandXO member

Hi Roger

 

I have just checked the "Scotland's" People website and searched for William McCracken born 1806 and there are no exact matches.

IrelandXO member

Hi Roger

Do I presume one of those three William McCracken's born in Ireland is my relation?

Also, please could you let me know where they were born and were they all born in 1806.

Thanks

Alison

 

IrelandXO member

Alison:

The transcriptions of the three records are below. You can't presume that one of these three is your ancestor without more evidence and specifically parents names. Also, many churches did not retain records back to the first decade of the 1800s so your ancestor may have been baptized in a church where the records no longer exist.

Roger

Name:William McCrackanDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:31-May-1807Address:ArmaghParish/District:ARMAGHGender:MaleCountyARMAGH
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Father:William McCrackanMother:Mary Roach

Name:William McCrackenDate of Birth:
Date of Baptism:10-May-1803Address:
Parish/District:ST ANNE'S, SHANKILLGender:MaleCountyCo. Antrim
Denomination:Church of Ireland
Father:William McCrackenMother:Rebecca McCracken

Name:William McCrackinDate of Birth:02-Aug-1802
Date of Baptism:08-Aug-1802Address:TullindoneyParish/District:DromoreGender:
CountyCo. Down
Denomination:Church Of Ireland
Father:John McCrackinMother:Martha Mulligan

Castlemore RoscommonIrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Roger

 

Thank you very much for that info.

Kind regards

Alison

IrelandXO member

Hello

It transpires after searching on another website and checking some records that my great, great great grandfather was called James McCracken and married to Elizabeth McCracken born around 1821. 

I have accurately checked on Scotland's people and there are no records of a James McCracken being born in Scotland around 1821.

I cannot get hold of the birth certificate which shows the names of James's parents unfortunately, but out of interest would you be able to search your records to see if there was a James McCracken (married to Elizabeth) who was born in 1821 in Ireland.

Thank you

Alison

 

IrelandXO member

Hi Alison,

I just happened upon your page as I was searching out information regarding the McCrackens, specifically, Thomas (b.1700), Jane (b. 1725).  I do have some good information on a few different McCrackens.  Wondering if you are still looking or if you have found out more?  I know it has been 5 years since you posted but thought it was worth a try.  

Kindly,

Dana

 

 

Dana Overman

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