Hugh Campbell

Looking at the 1901 census there were 196 people named Hugh Campbell in Ireland. 59 in Co Antrim and 26 in Tyrone. The name would have been equally common in the 1830s.

1830 is well before the start of birth registration in Ireland (1864) and so to have any chance of finding him you will need to rely on church records. So we need to know his denomination. We will also need his parents names from say a marriage or death certificate to be sure of identifying the correct man.

Not every parish’s records have survived and so there is a chance that no record exists in Ireland

Elwyn, thank you for your reply.  I knew the name Hugh Campbell was very common in Ireland and without knowing his parents' names and/or date of birth it would be terribly difficult.  He was married and died in New Orleans, Louisiana.  I have copies of both certificates and neither has the names of parents listed.  The only definite thing i do know is that he was Roman Catholic.  Little help, I realize, but I am desperate to find anything at all on this man.  He has been my brick wall for over 35 years.

Julie

Julie,

The family being Catholic is helpful because most Catholic baptism records are on-line (whereas many Protestant records are not). Ancestry have the RC baptisms on their site.  Searching Hugh Campbell b 1830 plus or minus a couple of years gets 10 matches. 2 in Tyrone, 2 in Antrim the others in Down and 1 in Louth.  Of the 2 in Tyrone one was baptised 31.12.1831 in Donaghenry parish to Jacob & Maria Campbell (the townland looks to be Ballygillib). The other on 24.1.1829 in Clonoe to Hugh Campbell & Sarah Milyan. No townland given.

It’s relevant to point out that not every RC parish in Tyrone has records for the 1830s. Some start later, so this is not an exhaustive list. There may have been other Hughs born in the county.

Yes, I have seen these two and I don't know how to prove that either one is my Hugh Campbell.  I assume that, knowing the naming patter for Irish families, Hugh would have named one or more of his children after his father and mother.  I am going to try looking for those names too.  I will keep you posted if I find anything - you'll probably hear me screaming from my home!  Thanks again!

Julie