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Dunbars of Aghalee

AntrimAghalee (Antrim)

Hello from Canada!

I have come across the following christening records for my 2nd Great Grandfather, Robert Dunbar and his siblings:

  • Mary Dunbar - Christened 2 Aug 1848 - Aghalee, Antrim, Ireland
  • Wm John Dunbar - Christened 25 Aug 1858 - Aghalee, Antrim, Ireland
  • Jane Dunbar - Christened 16 Aug 1857 - Aghalee, Antrim, Ireland
  • Ellen Dunbar - Christened 16 Aug 1857 - Aghalee, Antrim, Ireland
  • Robert Dunbar - Christened 16 Aug 1857 - Aghalee, Antrim, Ireland

The family search christening records indicate that the father of the children was Jas Dunbar, which is something that I was able to verify with the marriage records of their sons, Wm John and Robert. The family search record also indicates that the mother's name was Jane, but does not provide a surname.

I know that many of the above named siblings had a strong connection to the Townland of Gortnacor, as I found most of them there in the 1901 and 1911 census records.

I would like to find the marriage record for Jas Dunbar and his wife Jane, so that I can learn her maiden name, and possibly the names of their fathers. If Mary was their first child, I should be able to find a civil marriage registration for them, correct? Or is there a better way to go about finding this information?

Thanks,

Chris

IrelandXO member

1 reply

Civil marriage registration for all but RC marriages started in Ireland in April 1845. I have searched the records for a marriage of a James Dunbar to Jane X in the Lisburn area 1845 onwards but cannot find one. Possibly they married before that date in which case you would need to rely on church records.

The 1901 census indicates the family was Church of Ireland. The parish for Gortnacor is Blaris. Their records start in 1637 which is helpful. I am not sure however whether the records for the years you are interested in are on-line. There is however a copy in PRONI in Belfast.

It’s worth bearing in mind that tradition was to marry in the bride’s church so if she was from a different parish or of a different denomination to her husband, then the marriage may not be in the Blaris COI records.

Griffiths Valuation 1862 lists Alexander Dunbar snr on plot 5, James on plot 6a, Thomas on 6b and Alexr jnr on plot 10. Senior & junior in Griffiths often means father and son. Living so close together would suggest they were all related.

You can use the revaluation records to see when each of these properties changed hands and who took over:

http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/val12b.htm

Found these probate abstracts:

Letters of Administration (with the Will annexed) of the personal estate of Alexander Dunbar late of Gortnacor County Antrim Weaver a Bachelor deceased who died 26 November 1871 at same place were granted at Belfast to James Dunbar of Gortnacor (Lisburn) aforesaid Weaver the Nephew and Specific Legatee. Effects under £20

Probate of the Will of John Dunbar late of Gortnacor County Antrim Weaver who died 20 June 1904 granted at Belfast to Robert Dunbar Packer and Samuel Tate Wine and Spirit Merchant

Dunbar John of Gortnacor county Antrim platelayer died 11 February 1939 Probate Belfast 4 April to James Dunbar lorry driver. Effects £399 9s. 5d.

Dunbar Robert of Gortnacor county Antrim artizan died 25 October 1929 Probate Belfast 3 February to reverend William H.N. Ruddock clerk and James Green farmer. Effects £3.

The first 2 wills are on-line on the PRONI site. For the latter two you need to contact PRONI to get copies.

http://apps.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar_IE/WillsSearch.aspx

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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