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Looking for birth or marriage record

DownSeapatrick (Down)

i am searching for the family of Eliza McCracken. Birth and marriage date unknown. She married Robert Ritchie in Co Down, and came to NZ in 1849.  Robert RITCHIE b 1803. Robert was a Fencible soldier .Their first child was born 1849.

There is another fencible soldier  James McCracken b 1834c who joined the 65th Regt foot in Banbridge 1854 and c also came to NZ .

His fencible notes say his birthplace was Banbridge

Occupation, weaver, age 20

and then Remittances Jan-mar 1860 to Mrs Ann Jane Nelson(or Wilson) Steels entry, Banbridge

and Remittances Oct-Dec 1864 to Mary Anne McCracken at Dunbarof  McMasters. Spring Hill Gilford, Down.

I would really love some advice in how to trace these two.  Thank you.,

IrelandXO member

2 replies

Hi there,

First of all, do you know what religion they were? I might be able to guide you in the right direction if I knew their religion. There are church records which might be able to answer your question.

There are of course civil registration records available at the General Register Office (GRO) here: http://www.groireland.ie/research.htm (these only date from 1864). Church records might go further back, depending on the location.

You could also try checking the land records called the Tithe Applotment Books (1823-38) or the later Griffth's Valuation (1848-64). Griffith's is freely available here: www.askaboutireland.com or here: www.failteromhat.com Failte Romhat has lots of other useful links you could try looking at.

The Public Records of Northern Ireland (PRONI) is a very good resource for Northern Ireland records. But the National Archives (UK) would be the place to check for military records. You might find that this is the area to start your research in. Official documents and letters might reveal some more information for you, giving you the lead you need to get started.

The occupation of weaver is another place to start looking:

  • Workers & Manufacturers in Linen, in The Stephenson Reports 1755-84, National Library of Ireland Ir.6551 Dublin
  • 1796 Linen Board premiums for growing flax. This is available on the Failte Romhat website. There are 2,975 names for Co. Down

You could also try checking the emigration records for information. If you know the date and place you could check the details. Generally information was given at the port of arrival rather than the port of departure.

Please make sure you link anyone else in your family who is interested in their Irish heritage to our site - and indeed anyone else you know of Irish heritage.

Kind regards,

Sinead Cooney

Genealogist (Ireland XO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

IrelandXO member

Thank you Sinead. That certainly gives me places to try.

IrelandXO member

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