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Searching for McClean in County Antrim and Down

A few of us are tracing our McClean family in Ireland (Possibly originated in Isle of Mull, Scotland)  The family immigrated to Ontario, Canada and then down into Minnesota, USA.  I hope to have enough information to visit PROINI while we are in Ireland in 2026. Any suggestions/information on how to search from afar would be greatly appreciated. Any information is appreciated.

Unable to find documentation for the following parents of John McClean and Agnes Martin.  Possible parents are:

-Parents of John McClean may have been Daniel McClean (abt. 1742- Dec1841) married to Mary Harrison. Boardmills, County Down.  Married 30 Oct 1787 First Presbyterian Church.

-Agnes Martin parents may have been James Martin (1764-6 Jun 1845) and Jean McCullogh (1761- 22 Sep 1850)  Married abt 1788 First Boardmills Presbyterian Church.

More certain about the following information, but lacking documentation for family in Ireland before immigrating to Canada.  

  • John (could have been William) McClean (1792 - 21 Dec 1904)  married 24 Nov 1819 to Agnes Martin (1792-1881).  All the children were baptized in Boardmills, Kilaney Parish, Barony of Upper Castlereagh, County Down.  May have resided in Clogher, Barony of Lower Iveagh, County Down.  The Martin family lived in Boardmills and the McCleans lived in Clogher. They immigrated to Grey North, Ontario, Canada.  John was said to have donated land for the McLean Cemetery in Ontario, Canada.  Family settled in Annan, Ontario, Canada where many Irish and Scottish settled.  Source Book:  Pathways to Holland.   Possible John McClean record in the Belfast, Northern Ireland, The Belfast Newsletter (Birth, Marriage and Death Notices), 1738-1925 and in the Ireland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1620-1911
    • Robert McCLean* (1826-1867) lived in Largeymore, near Lisburn, married in Belfast and had two sons before immigrating to Canada about 1855.  Maybe immigrated to Canada 10 or so years after brother William.  Married Maria B Fisher (1825-1911) in 7 Apr 1852 Church of Scotland in Ireland.  Parents are Thomas Fisher (1790-1885) and Jane Unknown (1790-). Robert is found in Census of Canada in mid 1800s and Baptism  FHL Film Number:  823750.  Marriage found in in the Ireland, Select Marriages, 1619-1898
    • David McClean (1830-1877).  (Maybe related is a David listed as living at Hill Hall leasing land from the Marquis of Downshire in 1863 (close to Lisburn).  
    • William McClean born in Lisburn 1821 and died 1909 and married Helen Elizabeth Ritchey (born in Ireland).  Immigrated to Canada in 1844.  
    • Martin McClean (1834-1921) immigration to Canada is unknown.  Married Margaret Adams.

Thank you

TS22

2 replies

You mention that Robert McClean married Maria Fisher on 7th April 1852 in the Church of Scotland in Ireland, and that her father was Thomas Fisher. Here’s a link to the marriage certificate. You will note that the correct date of the marriage was 9th April. Also that Maria’s father was John Fisher (not Thomas). He was a gardener. The marriage was in May St Presbyterian Church in Belfast. As you say, that is, in effect the Church of Scotland, in Ireland. (It’s formal title is the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, sometimes shortened to PCI). A John Fisher was a witness, but you can’t be certain it was her father. Might have been a brother or other close relative.

https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/marriage_returns/marriages_1852/09424/5414041.pdf

Link here to information on May St church (which is still open).

https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/may-street-church-54023.html#google_vignette

If you are going to PRONI for the first time take your passport with you. Photo id is required to get your Reader’s Ticket. Issues free at reception. Takes 2 minutes. Valid 10 years.

I don’t see a McClean/McLean farm in Largymore in the 1834 tithe applotment records, suggesting that the family may have moved there after 1834.

https://www.irishgenealogyhub.com/antrim/tithe-applotments/blaris-parish.php

No McClean farm listed in Largymore in Griffiths Valuation (1863) so they had left by then.

Possibly DNA testing may be a way of matching with others who have additional information about where the family originate. Family Tree DNA reportedly has more people with Ulster roots than any other company. That obviously increases the chances of finding a match. You might want to try them or, if you have already tested, you can transfer your results to them for no fee.

The North of Ireland Family History Society is running an Ulster DNA project and can offer FTDNA testing kits at a reduced price. http://www.nifhs.org (Go to DNA project on the website).

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

This is so appreciated. Thank you!

We have a Thomas Fisher for Maria's father and she did have a brother Thomas Fisher.

TS22

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