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Wisnom/Wisnam

AntrimCarrickfergus (Antrim)

I am trying to organize the Wisnom/Wisnam family found in Carrickfergus Parish as early as 1760. The earliest record I have is of Capt. John Wisnom noted in the Belfast News in 1760.

  1. Alexander Wisnom (1769 - 1817) is buried in the St. Nicholas Graveyard, Carrickfergus, along with his wife Margaret (d. 1854), daughter Mary (1803 - 1827) and daughter Ellen (1808-1870) and two of Ellen's children. I have Samuel b. abt. 1811 and Alexander (boot and shoe maker) born about 1812 as Alex. 1769's sons.  
  2. At the same cemetery Alexander Wisnom (1835 - 1907) and his wife Agnes Picken Wisnom d. 1919 are buried. Alex and Agnes were married in Ballycarry Presbyterian Church, Templecorran, in 1868. Do the church records indicate the relationship of the two Alexanders?
  3. Alexander Wisnom (1744 - 1812) and wife Elizabeth (d. 1839) are also buried in Carrickfergus, with daughter Elizabeth (1777 - 1847). The record identifies the Graveyard as Carrickfergus Cl. Son William (1771 - 1849) erected the gravestone. I was hoping to affirm somehow that Alexander 1769 and James 1778 were both sons of Alexander 1744.

There are many seven more Wisnoms in my research born during the mid to late 1700s, living in Carrickfergus. A handful living in Duffs Hill; Alex. (1765) wife possibly Margaret, with children identified as William 1790, John 1791, Mary 1795, Jane 1799, Isaac 1810, and Agnes 1811. 

Any help deciphering these families would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

 

 

gwbeckett

1 reply

Ginna,

You ask whether the Ballycarry church records indicate the relationship between Alexander b 1835 and Alexander b 1769. I can’t say without viewing the specific records but in general, all you might expect is the father’s name (for marriages after 1845) and the parents’ names for baptisms. Entries won’t otherwise be cross referenced to earlier generations.

You can view the 1868 marriage cert on-line. That should give you the father’s name, and other information. (The marriage was on 28.2.1868 and it looks to me as though Alexander’s father was also named Alexander.). You can view the certificate on-line on the GRONI website, using the “search registrations” option:

https://geni.nidirect.gov.uk

(You will need to open an account and buy some credits. It costs £2 to a view a certificate

PRONI have details of 29 Wisnom & 1 Wisnam probate files. Perhaps you have seen them?

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

There are also 5 pre 1858 wills recorded on the names index. All lived around Carrickfergus and Duffshill.

Though it was established in the 1600s, Ballycarry Presbyterian church only has baptism records from 1832 onwards, so research prior to that will be tricky. You don’t say what the family businesses were but you may need to spend a bit of time in PRONI searching any records they have eg Registry of Deeds, and the tithe applotment records. I see a Captain John Wisnom of Larne was mentioned in 1760 in the Hearts of Oakboys account. D2095/18

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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