Matchett Family (Annageliffe Parish, County Cavan

Wow, Roger, that news gives me chills just as any news from "home" does.  I will keep watching for more information to lead me closer to the land I want to stand on, when and if I get to Ireland.

Hello Irene,

Hope this finds you well. I am descendant of William R. Matchett (Miramichi). Like you I have seen his parents were James M. and Margaret Dobson. I am wondering if you have found a document supporting this. I also just found this extremely crazy (crazy in a good way) line going back to the 1300's stemming from William's father, James. I am working on proving it through documentation as far back as possible. Thanks for your time and like you I hope to make it over to Ireland someday.

Donny

I too am descended from this Matchett family - in my case, from Frances, a sister of the James Matchett who married Margaret Dobson and lived in Poles. Frances married William Montgomery and they lived in the townland of Broughderg, in the parish of Drung. I am descended from their daughter Mary Anne (Hall).

I have researched the family from the original sources (as far as possible) and was able to establish that the Matchett family had lived in Broughderg from at least 1726.  I have up-loaded my family tree at  http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=ronprice

I am aware of the belief that James Matchett and Margaret Dobson were the parents of the William Matchett who lived in Miramichi in New Brunswick, Canada. But I am unsure what the original source of this family link is - it sounds very plausible and I have no reason at all to doubt it, but it would be good to know where the knowledge of this link originated from. 

I would be happy provide any assistance I can.

Ron (in Belfast, N. Ireland)

Hello Ron,

Pleasure to virtually meet you - I am glad you reached out. I have also found no documentation of William  being James' son. The closet I have come is in a book called Old North Esk by WD Hamilton which has a footnote stating William may be the son, but others not so certain. I am not sure where people came across this information, but I hope they are right.

Have you ever had your DNA tested? I see AncestryDNA is now available in Ireland. The only Matchetts I have come across are descended from William and that DNA obviosuly matches. However I have never come across a proven connection to possible ancestors of Williams. If you have had your DNA tested perhaps we can determine if William is James' son. Any interest in seeing if this is case? Let me know what you think.

Also I am curious to see if you have ever heard or seen this line of ancestors for James Machett. For some reason I don't think so because it appears on the link you provided you have different parents for James and probably the right ones. Anyway I found this crazy line on Ancestry.com and it extends back into the 1300s involving Irish nobility and kings. It really is something and I have no idea where they came across it. I have actually come across it in a few other's trees. 

James Matchett b. 1778 s/o John Matchett and Susanna Creighton d/o Abraham Creigton. As I say this is just the first couple of generations. And I probably wouldnt think much of it other than that I found an LDS Parish Register for Drung Parish - Co Cavan 1735 - 1827. Ther record lists the birth of the children of John Matchett and Susanna Moore. The children are born between 1735 and 1751. There is also on this same record a John Matchett and Susanna (no last name) who gave birth to a son, James, in 1787. Maybe that Susanna is Susanna Criehgton. Have you ever seen this record? The record matches up to the trees I came across. However, I might be on a wild goose chase. Let me know what you think of this one. I can also send you this register if you have already not seen it. 

Ok I need to run. Thanks again for writing. I live in Brookline, Massachusetts which borders Boston.

Look forward on hearing back,

Donny

Sorry I clicked the do not receive email notification for my last comment. I want to make sure i get alerted when you reply, Ron. So this message means I will receive the notification.

Thanks,

Donny

Hi Donny,

Good to hear from you.

The Drung parish register that survives starts around 1785 and was completed by the Vestry Clerk, who, to our good fortune, was Richard Matchett (1735 – 1819), son of John Matchett (1709/10 – 1789).  Richard started the register  by entering earlier details for some families in the parish – including his own. So, all those early Matchett records are all on a single page. I have an image copy. These records are, as you say, transcribed and are available online. But there is a major error in these. John Matchett (1709/10 – 1789) is wrongly shown as married to Susanna Moore. His wife should instead be shown as Frances (surname unknown). It was his son John who was married to Susanna Moore.

I can supply a copy of the Matchett page in the Drung register. BUT, please be aware that this is very poor quality – and rather indistinct. This is partly because the original itself is faded, but also because my copy is a scan of a paper printout from a microfilm copy of the register here in Belfast. I have also seen the original in Dublin (it may be possible to purchase a copy image).

So, I have to conclude that the Susanna Creighton reference in some family trees is incorrect.  Any family tree, other than for the aristocracy, that goes back to the 1300s is a bit dubious.

I have considered DNA testing, but haven’t yet decided whether or when to do one. I gather that links can be reliably made back 5 generations, but beyond that with less certainty. If you are descended from that William Matchett in New Brunswick, any link may be 6 (?) or more generations back.

I also have an image copy of the Registry of Deeds “Memorial” of an earlier Richard Matchett’s 1726 lease of Broughderg. I am happy to copy it to anyone interested.

I can be contacted directly at    ronprice1@gmail.com.

Ron

Despite the years which have gone by since the last message, I thought I would add my Matchett information. Gr gr grandmother Mary Ann Matchett and her sister Isabella were born in Tipperary but I think the family were there due to their father's work. He was George Alexander Matchett born about 1807 in Clonfeacle, County Tyrone. A kind professional genealogist (who declined when I tried to hire him to help my research) told me the border of County Tyrone and County Armagh runs through Clonfeacle, known as the Moy.

My Ancestry DNA results link me with dozens and dozens of descendants of William Matchett who emigrated to New Brunswick.  Many of my second cousins also have the same matches.  I also have a DNA match with a lady whose father was born in Belfast before emigrating to Canada after ww2. She has William Matchett of New Brunswick matches too. A couple of my second cousins also match her. Luckily her gg grandfather was still alive for the 1901 census. He was born about 1813 in County Armagh and his name was Samuel Matchett.  Samuel lived for most of his life in County Down where he died. 

I don't know if this relevant, but Samuel's son, another George Alexander Matchett, got married in Armagh, County Armagh. The two witnesses were James Dupre Matchett and his mother Letitia. James Dupre's father was also James Dupre and he was born about 1810 and his father was George born about 1768. James Dupre senior was landlord of The Albert Hotel, Armagh.

The last bit of information I have is that I have a DNA match with a descendant of William Creighton Matchett born about 1823 in Larah, Cavan who died in 1904 in Saskatchewan. His son was George Christopher Matchett born 1854 in Ontario,  who died in Montana, USA. 

I am wondering whether the County Cavan connection is somehow linked with County Armagh. Has anyone else had a DNA test and had similar results?

Pat Done, Western Australia

Hi Pat,

I have my DNA test results on Ancestry & GEDmatch. On Ancestry I am ronprice131 and on GEDmatch my DNA has reference A703036. I wonder do I match you?

Although I imagine that the County Cavan and County Armagh Matchett families are connected, it must be a long time in the past, as the Matchetts go back to at least 1726 in County Cavan. I would previously have thought that this was too far back to show up in DNA. But if you are DNA matching Matchett descendants from both Cavan & Armagh, it would suggest that I could well be wrong. 

I have not noticed matches between myself and County Armagh Matchett descendants, but may not have looked carefully enough.  I have let my Ancestry membership lapse, so can't check myself at present.

Ron

Hi Ron,

Thank you for replying to my message. I have just checked your Ancestry name and we do not have a match.  I am not on Gedmatch any more. I never really understood it and when they changed their format I decided not to bother.  The centi-morgan results I am getting would suggest that my connection to the New Brunswick matches is around the late 1700s/early 1800s.  There is some doubt regarding William Matchett's birth place being Cavan or at least, I don't think there is any evidence he came from there.  How much DNA a person inherits is a lottery I know, but the sheer number of matches I have with New Brunswick (72) are pretty consistent from a centi-morgan perspective.  The centi-morgan match I have with the descendant of William Creighton Matchett is much smaller.

I don't normally get so involved with researching my more distant ancestors on the female lines but all these DNA matches are very intriguing.  Making it more so is that my husband's Allison ancestors who hailed from County Derry, are somehow connected to the New Brunswick Allison's. Some of the Allison's and Matchett's married and as a result my husband and I share DNA matches with several people.

Pat

I too am a descendant of Wm. Matchett (and Mary Fraser) of New Brunswick, Canada. Several years ago we made a trip to N.B. where I met some of my father's relatives. His second cousin, now about  90, has been researching the family for years. A man by the name of John Boyd researched the Matchett name for her and she gave me a list of Matchett's going back to 1450. The list is not detailed, has names and a year when something was recorded for them, not birth dates, marriages, etc. and no inidication as to whether everyone on the list is actually related. The 1450 entry is for Robert Matchett, Sheriff of Norwich. Further down the list is James (Jamye) Matchett (Machet), b. 1560 (married Agnes Blowfield) in Trimingham, Norfolk, England. When King James sent planters to Ireland in the early 1600's, James and his family were given 1000 acres. James was Plantation Rector as well as Rector of Drumcree and Kilmore. James and his son Daniel were both killed in the Portadown Massacre of 1641. Although the list I have is not proven it does provide a starting point for research. I have found some verification on Ancestry.ca and Scots-Irish websites.

Mona

Hello, All: Nice to see this thread have a resurgence of activity. I am too a descendant of William Matchett and Mary Fraser. Mona, which of Willian and Mary's children are you descended from? I am descended John Matchett (h/o Louisa Estey). May I inquire as to what from the list your father's second cousin you were able to verify on Ancestry? Thank you, Donny

I am descended from George Henry, the 8th child of William and Mary. I have not spent a lot of time researching the names on the list. I began with James Matchett, supposedly the first Matchett in our line to live in Ireland, and a few other names on the list. Some, including James and his son Daniel, I can find information on regarding births, marriages, etc.,  but nothing to link families together. The list has names and dates from 1450 - 1642 so there is a huge gap from the list dates to William's birth in 1800 so don't know how one would ever link the names. With a little more time to invest now, I do plan to start a more thorough search. Will let you know if I make any progress.

Mona

Lethbridge, Alberta

Hello,

My husband's parents are Gerald James Matchette and Faith Caroline Ward.
Gerald James Matchette – parents are James Allan Matchette and Doris Gray.
James Allan Matchette – parents are Creighton Allan Matchett and Clarissa Mary Kemp.

I petitioned the government of Saskatchewan for records for James Allan. On his birth certificate his name is Matchett but on his death certificate his name is Matchette. I am unsure why/how the last “e” was added for subsequent generations.

Creighton Allan Matchett – parents are William Matchett and Catherine Fitch.
William Creighton Matchett – parents are James Matchett and Susanna Creighton.
James Matchett – parents are John Matchett ll and Susanna Moore.

I am wondering if anyone has further info on this line. We are travelling to Ireland this June and would like to visit any churches or cemeteries with connections to our ancestors from Cavan.

Many thanks in advance for your kind reply.

Warm regards,
Erin Matchette

Hi. I'm a direct descendant of George Alexander Matchett, son of Samuel, who married Jane Davison in Armagh. George and Samuel going by the marriage record lived in Drumaran, Tullylish parish, County Down, on the border with County Armagh, whereas the Moy area is the other side of County Armagh. Griffith's Valuation of the early 1860s confirms Samuel Matchett as living in Drumaran at that time, as well as few other Matchetts.

How do you know that the James Dupre mentioned as a witness was the son of James Dupre senior and Letitia Elliot and not senior himself? I am most curious to find a connection to take the Matchett's further back from Samuel Matchett and his wife Elizabeth.

I have a DNA test done with 23andme however have it on GEDMatch if it's possible to compare them?

Kind regards,

Lyle

Hello Lyle,

James Dupre Matchett senior died in 1863.  According to his Will he owned land in Charlemont which is on the other side of the river to Clonfeacle where my direct ancestor was born. Samuel Matchett said he was born in County Armagh in the 1901 census. Since my original post I have another DNA match with a descendant of George Alexander Matchett on the Family Tree DNA site. They also cross-match with another direct descendant of my ggg grandfather plus a descendant of the New Brunswick Matchett's.

My GEDmatch number is KU6146785. I am keeping my fingers crossed we have a match.

Pat

Hi Pat. Turns out we do [GN5721341], a 7.8cm match putting us at a 7.4 MCRA. My Machett connection is on my mum's father's side and ironically she [EY7469229] only has matches of 5.4cm at C4 and 5.6cm at C8. Though it gives a MCRA of 7.2.

At a minimum threshold of 5cm, you and me have 20.7cm and a MCRA of 6.7. Though I understand a small amount of 5cm's are false positives. I find the stark difference between me and mums results, where I would have thought she'd have a greater cm connection to you, quite curious. Luckily my mum's first-cousin also did a DNA test [T343362], and there is a stronger connection between you two with an 8.3 on C9, MCRA of 7.

Whatever way autosomal DNA works, it would seem that we definitely have a connection, strongest with my mums cousin. Though for whatever reason I find it amazing you only share seven other kits between you considering the distance.

Samuel is my 3x great-grandfather, which is six generations. Whoever Samuel's father or grandfather was would appear to be our likely common ancestor.

I find the Dupre name quite intriguing as well. As was common then, and even today here in Ireland, the maiden name of a mother or grandmother is used a middle-name, or sometimes forename of a child. Dupre being of French origin would suggest a likely Huguenot connection and quite a few Huguenots did settle in Ulster in the 18th-century. Looking at CivilRecord.ie quite a few Dupre/Duprey still in Ulster especially in the old Lurgan district area of County Armagh and Down.

Kind regards,

Lyle

Hi Lyle,

The match we have is not big but it is a match.  I recognise the name of your mother's first cousin through the FamilyTree DNA site.  We exchanged emails. The DNA match I have with her aunt is 24cM and her aunt also matches one of my second cousins, plus we three have a match with a New Brunswick Matchett.  What you say about the Dupre name is very interesting. 

Pat (trishdone35@gmail.com)

Hi,

In regards to the Dupre's, in the 19th-century most Dupre's (also Duprey/Prey/Dupret) seen to be in the Lurgan district area, which spans across the Armagh/Down border and includes where Samuel Matchett lived his life and died, and there where other Matchett's can be found in Griffith's Valuation in the 1860s.

Checking out people with Matchett's from County Armagh in their family trees, there are some in between Armagh and Tullylish who have no DNA matches but I can find matches with some from Tartaraghan parish on the Armagh/Tyrone border in Lurgan district.It is not far from Clonfeacle.

Purely speculating and going by the estimated year of births (which can be wrong as quite often people made up their age in later life in those days) and the information we know so far I would have proposed the following:

• George Matchett
  • George Alexander Matchett (b. c1807)
    • Mary Ann Matchett
      • Your line of descent
  • James Dupre Matchett (b. c1810)
    • James Dupre Matchett junior
  • Samuel Matchett (b. c1813-1902)
    • George Alexander Matchett (b. c1842-1909)
      • My line of descent

I have seen records where people have named a child of theirs after a sibling, middle name and all. The first George could also have had the middle name Alexander. Most likely Alexander was either George's father or one of his grandfathers forename. However I have found something that would suggest different (see end of message).

My proposed tree may be wrong however at least in the top part as I found a tree that included my Matchett's and according to them they can be traced to the Cavan ones. I clearly take this with a pinch of salt as he got Samuel's death wrong by a good 30 years. If you can believe the lineages are all correct and the Samuel isn't mixed up with a different one then suppossedly it goes back to a Machett born 1400 in Beeby, Leicestershire. Their kit number is FM7031914 and we, and my mum have several CM matches between 5-7 with them. My mums cousin even has two matches on the same chromosome. The connection must definitely be on the Matchett side for their user tag contains "Matchett Armagh".

If it is correct then the following might be the tree in we figure in our MCRA into that one:

• James Matchett
  • William Matchett
    • Samuel Matchett
      • George Alexander Matchett
        • My line of descent
  • George Matchett - possibly married Dupre.
    • James Dupre Matchett
      • James Dupre Matchett junior
    • George Alexander Machett
      • Mary Ann Matchett
        • Your line of descent

Hello Lyle,

You have given me a lot to think about. The GedCom tree for instance looks very odd. I can see that the owner is a descendant of William Joseph Matchett and successfully found George Alexander Matchett.  However the incorrect details for Samuel I.e. he died in the USA in 1875 makes me doubt the accuracy of the rest of the tree.  I keep coming across trees with my George Alexander and yours being father and son. You only have to get the freely available marriage certificate for your George Alexander to find that his father was Samuel.

I have researched the descendants of James Dupre senior i.e. James Dupre junior and his half sister Anna Jeanette.  Both lines have died out so no DNA matches are going to be available.  I have the gravestone details for George Matchett 1768-2 November 1836. James Dupre senior and his second wife Margaret are also on the gravestone.  I too wonder whether George's wife Elizabeth's maiden name was Dupre.  Elizabeth was born about 1780 and died 17 April 1847. George was a soldier.

I wondered whether William born about 1800 who emigrated to New Brunswick, my George Alexander and your Samuel were brothers. I keep hoping for DNA matches with a sister or two but am not sure how exactly how this would help. A descendant of William's told me that one family story was that William travelled with another brother named John who settled in Ontario. 

Is Samuel your 3 or 4 x great grandfather?

Pat

Hi, sorry for the late reply, I didn't get a notification of a response for some reason. Samuel is my 3x great-grandfather. I found out the other day that his wifes surname was Fry and they got married in Banbridge in 1838 (not far from where they lived). No mention of parents sadly. I also now have information for 7 children of Samuel's, one of which was named Anna Maria (b. 1854). I find her quite interesting because I also found an Anna Maria Matchett (b. c1837), daughter of a Jonathan Matchett, who got married in Banbridge in 1857. Anna Maria is not a common combination of names as far as I have seen and the fact there are two of the same surname in the same general area would suggest to me Jonathan may have been a brother or other relation of Samuel's.

If that turns out to be correct then we may have found circumstantial evidence for the John you mentioned as having travelled to north America along with William.

I am quite suspicious of that tree as well as with further correspondance with the owner, the information going beyond the late 1700s is quite dodgy without any actual evidence of connections between people.

As a side note I found that James Dupre was married at least three times. In the marriage record to Margaret Armstrong he is listed a widower. He afterwards married Letitia Elliott. His marriage to Margaret was in 1848 so if his marriage to his first wife lasted more than a few years then there'll be no civil record for it.

Kind regards, Lyle

Hard to believe it has been over a year however thanks to MyHeritage allowing you to upload your DNA for free for a certain period I was able to accidentally find a DNA relation who included William Russell Matchett from Cavan in their tree. I can see no other possible connections to this person so it would seem my Tullylish Matchett's are directly connected or descended from the Cavan Matchett's of this thread.

The tree owner, Michele, is given as a 4th cousin. If that is indeed correct then the above tree of suspicious information would indeed be wrong for our MCRA would have had to have been the father of William Russell Matchett?

Another DNA match tree also lists William Russell Matchett and also parents and children. So it would seem the connection is there somewhere.

Hi Lyle,

I am with My Heritage but only have a handful of Matchett DNA matches on that site. I have over 100 New Brunswick Matchett DNA matches on Ancestry. My email address is trishdone35@gmail.com if you would like to contact me direct.

Pat