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Searching for ancestors - Jacob Robinson & Mary McClaren

TyroneErrigal Keerogue (Tyrone)

I am looking for descendants of Jacob Robinson (1806-1893) and Mary McClaren (1809-1878). Jacob famed in Lower Foremass and Mary's family from Sixmilecross.  They were married in approximately 1826 and immigrated to Canada in approximately 1838.  6 of their children were born in Ireland - Jane 1827 (baptized at Parish of Errigal Keerogue), Mary Ann (1830), Richard (1831), Sarah (1834), Isabella (1836) and Margaret (1837).  They had 5 more children in Canada - Jacob (1841), Isaac (1844), James Alexander (1845), Elizabeth (1847) and Matilda Jane (1850).  Jacob and Mary's oldest son, Richard was my great-great grandfather.  Jacob had two brothers - Isaac and Abraham who also immigrated to Canada.  While we have found much information on Jacob and Mary's life once they arrived in Canada, I am hoping there could still be family members in the Parish at Errigal Keerogue who could provide us with further details. Since many records in Ireland were destroyed we have not been successful in discovering very much.  We believe that descendents of Mary McClaren still live in Sixmilecross; however I do not know who they are. Jacob's brother Isaac married Margaret Moses (born 1803) who we also believe was from that area.  It is also possible the brothers were originally from Armagh.  I would love to get in touch with any relatives and as well to find information on the family that could have been left in Ireland - such as Abraham, Jacob & Isaac's parents (we have speculated their father's name could be Richard buried at Drumcree Parish)  and if they had other siblings. Three children in a family seems very small for that time in history.  My dad and I have been searching on the internet for a year for any records and when I found this site I thought I would try here too!  Thank you for any information!

Danielle Robinson Iallonardo

IrelandXO member

5 replies

Hi Danielle,

Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone recognises this family and is able to advise or assist you.

In the meantime, I have forwarded your message onto one of our volunteers from a neighbouring parish. Hopefully she will be in contact with you soon with some advice or assistance.

 

All the best,

 

Genealogy Support

 

IrelandXO member

Hi there.  Your parish isn't my area of familiarty, but perhaps I can make a few suggestions.  The Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) has a wills calendar online.

http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/will_calendars.htm

I don't know whether you'll be able to find anything as far back as your ancestors, but there may be siblings with records there.  Often (and usually) in that era children were named for fathers, brothers, and sisters of the parents, so it's possible that through deduction and location you may be able to find other relatives.

The Church of Ireland in Sixmilecross has a web presence at

http://armagh.anglican.org/index.php/parishes/sixmilecross/

They may be able to look for other records or put you in touch with Robinsons or McClarans in the area.

The British Telecom directory is online as well.  You could use it to see if you can locate anyone with the surnames you're seeking in the nearby area.

Good luck!

 

 

IrelandXO member

Danielle,

I have an indirect connection to your family. Please contact me using my user name at hotmail.com.

Linda Patterson

ttapl

Hello there! I am a decendant of their daughter Isabella! I would love any information you have as well :)

IrelandXO member

I looked at the tithe applotment records for Foremass in 1832. The only Robinson farm there then was one held by John Robinson:

http://cotyroneireland.com/tithe/errigal_keerogue.html

There are no Robinsons farming there in Griffiths in 1860, so I’d guess the farm held by John was the same one that Jacob held (and presumably sold c 1838. Selling the farm was often how folk raised the fare to Canada).

On the basis that farms usually passed from father to son, I’d speculate that John Robinson was Jacob’s father.

PRONI has a lease relating to John Robinson, ref D236/306

Lease for one life or 21 years from 1 Nov. 1819, of 21 acres 1 rood 30 perches. Rent: £12.17.6 p.a. between William Verner, Churchhill, Co. Armagh and John Robinson, Foremass, Co. Tyrone, for land at Foremass, Co. Tyrone.

Do you know what denomination the family was? If Church of Ireland, then Errigal Keerogue baptism records start in 1812, marriages in 1825 and burials in 1817. Jacob was apparently born before the start of the records but his siblings might be born after 1812 so you might find them. Likewise his parents burials, which I suspect were before 1838 (otherwise I doubt the sons would have left Ireland). There’s a copy of the records in PRONI. If you can’t get there in person you could hire  a researcher to look them up.

Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘IrelandXO Volunteer

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