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Researching Duncan McHenry

AntrimCulfeightrin (Antrim)

I have traced my ancestor, Duncan McHenry (birth 1836), back to a marriage record of 23 Feb 1865 in Cushendall, Antrim. In that record, his name was recorded as Duncan McKendrey, widowed, marrying Ann McBride. A Dan McBride is noted as a household member (son or brother of Ann?). Adifferent citation of the same record(FHL Film Number: 101470 Reference ID: p143 ln21) shows[his] father as Duncan McKendrey. I found records of Duncan McHenryin Griffiths Valuation of Ireland - Culfeightrin, County Antrim in Cushleake Mountain North and Farranmacallan. John, James, Neal and Daniel McHenry are also listed in those townlands, allas tenants of James R. White in the 1861 printing. My searching has been limited mainly to Ancestry.com so far so I am a novice at genealogy research. If anyone has encountered any of those names or might have any suggestions on where to go next, I would greatly appreciate the feedback.

Ronald McHenry

9 replies

What is Duncan’s townland (address) on the 1865 marriage certificate? Also what is his and his father’s occupations given as? If you haven’t got a full copy, you can view the original certificate on-line on the GRONI site. He’s under Duncan McKendry (which is obviously a variant of McHenry). You can view the original 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 (sterling) to a view a certificate.

With the townland and other information I enquired about it may be possible to link your Duncan to families in Griffiths and other records. Post the information here and we’ll see what we can find for you.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Elwyn,

Thank you for responding so quickly and for your generous advice.  I followed you suggestion and obtained the following information:

Registration#: M/1865/O1/2554/1/21

Reg. District: Moyle

Roman Catholic Chapel: Cushleak

District: Cushendall

Union: Bally(castle?)

County: Antrim

When: 23 Feb 1865

Duncan McKendry, age 29; Widower; Profession: Farmer; Residence: Farmacallan; Father: Duncan McKendry/Farmer

Anne McBride, age 21; Spinster; Profession: servant; Residence: Torr; Father: Dan McBride/(can't read-Laboursman?)

 

Ronald McHenry

I descend from Dennis & Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton, who may have been natives of Culfeightrin. Even if you don't recognize any connection to these these names, you may be interested in others of Culfeightrin named McHenry/McKendry who are included in my research document at http://www.perrystreeter.com/hamilton.pdf. Of course, any corrections or additions will be most welcome!

 

perrystreeter

 

Interesting document Perry. I noticed McAuley at Torr on it. I am seeking information on Daniel O'Connor & Rose McAuley (& families) possibly Torr, Culfeightrin. Their daughter Rose Ann O'Connor emigrated to Australia before 1867. Her birthplace was reported to be Cushendun about 1846.

Thanks Dale

 

 

 

dfgrty

The townland is often known as Farranmacallan (160 acres in size). Griffiths Valuation of 1861 lists Duncan McHenry on plot 2 (a 25 acre farm). Duncan was subletting a farmworkers cottage to Robert McHenry, so he’s likely to be a relative. Between them a John and a Daniel McHenry had plots 4, 5 & 7 and there was a Neal McHenry on plot 7, which he shared with Duncan. These are all likely to be related to each other.

The modern Farranmacallan and Torr Rds both go through the townland today. Plot 2 is between the 2 roads.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch

You can search and see how long each plot was occupied by the people named in Griffiths using the revaluation records.

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

 

4 McHenry (and variants) properties in the townland in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Cushlake/Farranmacallan/

3 in 1911:

 

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Cushleake/Farranmacallan/

Some probate abstracts:

Letters of Administration of the personal estate of John M'Kendry late of Farranmacallan County Antrim Farmer deceased who died 23 May 1868 at same place were granted at Belfast to Margaret M'Kendry of Farranmacallan (Ballycastle) aforesaid the Widow of said deceased.

McHenry Charles of Farranmacallan Ballycastle county Antrim farmer died 30 May 1952 Probate Belfast 21 January to Archibald McKinley farmer and Patrick McCambridge auctioneer. Effects £2547 5s.

McHenry Elizabeth of Farranmacallan Ballyvoy Ballycastle county Antrim widow died 16 October 1955 at the Dalriada Hospital Ballycastle Probate Belfast 27 January to John Scally carpenter and James McBride farmer. Effects £294 5s.

The first file was destroyed in the 1922 fire but the later 2 wills are held in PRONI in Belfast in paper format.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

The National Library of Ireland has provided free access to digital images of the Catholic Parish Registers for Culfeightrin:

 

Culfeightrin

Diocese of Down and Connor | County of Antrim

Variant forms of parish name:

Ennispollan

Culfeightrin (with Cushendun and Ennispollan)

Culfreightrin

Craiga

Culfreightrin and Cushendun

 

http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0408

 

Ancestry.com also has these records available but my limited experience with them suggests that they are not as well indexed and searchable as one would hope.

 

Per my previous post (scroll up), using these records, I have just confirmed that Dennis and Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton of West Union, Steuben County, New York, USA were natives of Culfeightrin.

 

I have not attempted to transcribe any records yet but I recall seeing multiple instances of Duncan McHenry/McKendry/McKindry.

perrystreeter

Hello

Some DNA tests that I manage are showing DNA matches wtih Ancestry going back to a Henry Mc Henry born in Culfeightrin in 1822 who died in Ballycastle 0n 28 Nov 1875. He may have been a Blacksmith

It has been suggested to me that a Robert Mc Henry who lived in 2b Farranmacallan, Torr,  in 1865, a Blacksmith, might have been Henry's father.  If this is true then he rented his place from a Duncan Mc Henry. Does that "ring any bells" with either of your research?

I  also have other Mc Henry /Mckendrys in ancestral names of other DNA matches. I don't know whether they are all related to each other.  Mc Henrys were all big families so lots of siblings etc to try and research.

My Mother'sGreat Grand Mother was an Ann Mc henry from East Torr and that is where Farranmacallan is. I have a link to the property she lived in with her husband Edward Bakewell. There is still a bit of a ruin of that house in Torr.

Any information would be appreciated. The shutdown in London at the moment due to the Covid 19 pandemic has created time for me to do some further research.

Thanks

Margaret

Ballycastle2004

Margaret:

Please consider downloading Autosomal DNA results from the testing company (or companies) that you used and then uploading those results to GEDmatch.com. It is a free site and will yield more matches for each kit.

Selfishly, I would like to compare the DNA between the kits that you managed and the kits that I manage for descendants Margaret (McKendry) Hamilton. Her in-laws were Patrick and Mary (Laverty) Hamilton of Tornamoney Townland it is likely that Margaret's as-yet-unknown father belonged to a McKendry family of Tornamoney or a nearby townland. As you know, McKendry is a variation of McHenry, McHendry, etc.

Thanks for your help,

Perry Streeter

perry@streeter.com

perrystreeter

Hi Margaret,

I would just like to reinforce what Perry said about uploading to GEDmatch.com as I too manage a number of DNA kits of descendants of Rose Ann O'CONNOR (Antrim) who match multiple McHENRYs that have known Culfeightrin, Antrim connections. I have not been able to establish the genealogical links so far. Working together with Perry may help all of us.

As noted above, I am researching the origins of Rose Ann O'Connor, daughter Daniel O'Connor & Rose McAuley (& families) possibly Torr, Culfeightrin. Her birthplace was reported to be Cushendun about 1846, emigrated to Australia before 1867. I have not found her baptism - the closest I found was for a Rose O'Connor was baptised 16 Aug 1846 to John O'CONNOR and Rose McAULEY but I am uncertain because the first name of the father differs. These surnames co-occur in the Torr area.

In the 1901 Census for West Torr, Glenmakeeran there is a John O'CONNOR widower and Catherine McHENRY servant. By 1911 they are married.

My email is dalefogarty@gmail.com if you would like to share information directly or privately. Or if you need more specific help with GEDmatch.

Perry and I have been in communication previously.

Thanks.

Dale

 

dfgrty

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