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Rasharkin Elder Family - Help Needed

AntrimRasharkin (Antrim)

Hello!

My Great Grandfather was Samuel Hanna Elder. He was the son of John Elder and Isabella Kilpatrick of Rasharkin/Moneyleck. His siblings were Mary Elder (1864-1880), Elizabeth Elder (1866-1932), Rose Elder (1870-1875), Isabella Elder (1871-1958), William James Elder (1874 - ?), Robert Elder (1876-1877), Rosetta Elder (1878-1881), and Daniel Elder (1884-1917). I have recently discovered that known Elder relatives and I do not have a DNA match. I'm now wondering if Samuel Hanna Elder was adopted. He was baptized at the Second Kilrea Presbyterian Church on April 18, 1872 at the age of 4. I'm trying to find a descendent of John & Isabella Kilpatrick who might have documents/an old family bible that might have some information on Samuel (birthdate, etc.). Elizabeth and Isabella moved to the United States, but I believe William James Elder stayed in Ballymoney (Calhame). Any leads would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you!!! Karen Murdock (Elder)

karenmurdock

7 replies

Birth of Rosetta  4th September 1878

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kellyeileen20@…

Birth cert for an unknown male child born 20th December 1867  could this be Samuel?

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kellyeileen20@…

Birth of Robert  4th August 1876

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kellyeileen20@…

Possible marriage for William son of John

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kellyeileen20@…

William James Elder in the 1901 census:

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Stranocum/Culheme/942930/

1911. Note he had 7 children of which 6 were still alive:

https://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Antrim/Stranocum/Culhame/126705/

Ballymena Weekly Observer of 27th July 1961 reported that John Elder (23) of the Royal Marines had died in a road accident in England. Parents were Mr & Mrs J. Elder of Calhame. He had been in the Marines for about 3 years and left a wife and a 2 year old son.

Belfast Newsletter of 9th July 1970 reports the death of Tom Elder, last surviving son of the late William & Margaret Elder of Calhame. Funeral from sisters residence 10 Dungoyne Park, Dundonald, Belfast to Roseyards burial ground. So I think you may find the Elder family attended Roseyards Presbyterian and are buried there.

Check the PRONI website for Elder wills. That may give you leads on descendants but expect to find they may no longer be in the immediate Calhame area. The current Minister should be able to tells you if there are still any in his congregation. John Elder who died in 1961 likely left a will. (Military personnel are encouraged to make one for obvious reasons.). But it is likely to have been probated in England. The Marines are based in Plymouth. Check the English wills site (something like UKWILLS.gov.uk. You can download wills there for a very small fee).

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Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

Hello!

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much for this information! For years I have thought that the Elder child born on December 27,1867 was Samuel - and it could be! But I know that there are descendants of Elizabeth and Isabella in Ancestry DNA, and we do not match, when we should have a very strong match. It is so strange! I think finding a descendant of William James Elder might be the missing piece of the puzzle. Perhaps they have some kind of documentation - letters, family history, etc. that might give some clue as to how Samuel Elder fit into the family. I'm attaching some pictures, records that I have. One is a picture of John & Isabella Elder. The other picture is of Samuel Elder, Sarah Jane Elder (McMullan), and my Grandfather John Elder. The last is a picture of the baptism record. I will reach out to the church as you suggested! Such a mystery! 

Thank you so much for your help!!!

Karen 

karenmurdock

If you are writing to the church, note that Samuel's baptism was at 2nd Kilrea Presbyterian, not Rasharkin Presbyterian. 2 different churches.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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