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Hello:

I would like to look for birth records for my great grandmother Elizabeth Mary Martin, who I believe may have been born or lived in Ballynacaird, Racavan Parish, county Antrim, in 1883 or 1884.

Parents William John Martin and Mary Ann Mills (these names given by kind relatives, in online family trees).

Siblings David Martin, Robert Martin, Andrew Mills Martin, William John Jr.

I am aware of the services of PRONI, but do not know what church or what file to ask them to look in. Also, since I am currently in the Republic (my partner lives here and I am here part time), I would try to go looking in person for church records (don't know if that is possible to do right now). Elizabeth ended up in Canada, while I believe some of her brothers stayed, and their descendents emigrated.

The question I would like to ask, is if anyone could suggest what (Presbyterian) church I would look for (or request a search for in archives). Would there have been a Presbyterian church in the area of Ballynacaird in the 1880s, or would they have gone to Buckna, Ballymena, or...? Ballynacaird seems very small and I see no church on a google map search.

Thank you very much for any advice anyone may be able to give!

Ana Kim Callaghan

AnaKim

Friday 18th Jun 2021, 10:43PM

Message Board Replies

  • Ana, if you want civil birth, marriage, or death records, they are free at irishgenealogy.ie.

    RootsIreland has church records for a fee.

    I hope this helps.

    Patricia

    Saturday 19th Jun 2021, 12:45AM

  • Hi, 

    To confirm Patricia's post, www.irishgenealogy.ie has a marriage in Belfast on April 22nd 1868 of a William Martin and Elizabeth Mills in Eglington, parish of Belfast - Presbyterian Ceremony. Father of William is recorded as James Martin and of Elizabeth John Mills. The record No ID 2980739 and is listed as No. 154 on the sheet. William is described as a Clerk.

    This record may not be of your relatives.

    Regards.

    McCoy

    Saturday 19th Jun 2021, 07:46AM

  • Family in 1901 census:

    http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Slemish/Ballynacaird/939494/

    There are 3 Presbyterian churches in that area:

    1st Broughshane (records start 1827).

    2nd Broughshane, records from 1868 which is when the church opened

    Buckna, records from 1836.

    Buckna is probably the closest to Ballynacaird but Presbyterians didn’t always choose a church based on being the nearest so I couldn’t say which this family is likely to have attended.

    There are Martin graves in both Broughshane 1st and Buckna graveyards but it is a common name in that area.

    Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘

    Saturday 19th Jun 2021, 09:42AM

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