Clelands from Killinchy in the Woods

Hugh and Mary Cleland, nee McGiffert, lived and farmed in Killinchy in the Woods. Records show the Cleland family leased land for farming in the area from the 1740s, through to the mid to late 1800s (could be longer)

From Hugh's will, we have proven that Mary McGiffert was indeed Hugh's wife, and, they had four children living in Down at the time (1856), Thomas, John, William and Jane. There were also three other children who immigrated to New Zealand in 1857 and 58, they were Hugh (the oldest child, we believe, b abt1817), Joseph (b abt1835), and Robert (b abt1836).

The NZ history is well researched, and we do know the NZ arm of the family visited Down in the early 1890s as we have a family photograph taken in a studio in Belfast.

To date, no other information has been able to be discovered, ie BD&M for Hugh, Mary and family, nor their parents. (the dates above, other than the will, are approximations)

We have searched PRONI, and belong to Ancestry.com etc, etc, however have come to a standstill, can someone please assist, or provide further guidance.