Ireland XO
Back to Message Board

Harris from Finkiltagh

AntrimAhoghill (Antrim)

Hi...I am a Harris whose family originated in Finkiltagh/Tullynahinnion. There were at least two brothers David, Robert and their families attending the 2nd Portglenone Presbyterian church in the mid 1800s. One of them, Robert Harris (wife Jane) was my gr gr grandfather. I would like to find Jane's maiden name, possibly Johnston, as that was my gr grandfathers first name. Any info on these families would be very appreciated. Thanks. ..
Eileen

eileenrharris

4 replies

Can’t help with the wife’s maiden name. I assume they married pre April 1845. Ahoghill 2nds marriage records start in 1836 so if the marriage was before that date and in that church, it’ll be hard to trace her.

In case you don’t have it, there’s this grave in Portglenone Church of Ireland graveyard:

Erected by David Harris of Tullynahinnion, in memory of Jane, his wife who departed this life 8th March 1864, aged 60 years. Also his son Robert who departed this life 28th March 1866; aged 24 years. Also his son Thomas who depd this life 19th July 1874 aged 25 years.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Thanks for the helpful information, Elwyn!

eileenrharris

Eileen,

Glad to have helped. Looking back at my reply I see I gave you some irrelevant information about Ahoghill 2nds records. Portglenone 2nd’s baptisms start in 1821, and marriages in 1822. So if that’s where the children were baptised, then you might find Robert and his siblings baptisms. That may give you his mother’s maiden name.

If Jane was born c 1804, then she likely married in the mid to late 1820s. You might also find that marriage in Portglenone 2nd’s records but tradition was to marry in the bride’s church, so if she came from a different church then it may not be there.

Portglenone 1st has no records before 1845 and the 3rd’s start in 1869.

There’s a copy of Portglenone 2nd’s records in PRONI in Belfast. I don’t think they are on-line anywhere, so a personal visit is required to see them.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Hi Elwyn

Thanks for your quick reply. I'm sorry I took so long myself, I have spent all of my time on Ancestry and didn't realize anyone had answered.

. Luckily, I was able to view the 2nd's microfilm at PRONI in 2014. I was able to find my gr grandfather's baptismal record, as well as most of his siblings and first cousins. Unfortunately, the records were very sparse, not even making mention of any mothers. (I guess everyone knew who they were, lol).  I am going to be coming over again next month and will have two or three days at PRONI, as well as a few in the Portglenone area, will maybe check out the Braid museum in Ballymena as well.  I will go back over the records with a fine tooth comb to pick up anything I may have missed. 

I do believe the stone erected in the church yard by David Harris is indeed my gr grandfather's uncle. Thanks again for your help.

Eileen 

eileenrharris

Reply

Reply
One image file up to 2 MB.