James E. Curry and Wife Jane Finley Belfast 1819-1845

Dawn,

You have given the middle child’s name as Rebedda. I have not come across such a name and assume it’s an error for Rebecca. The indexes on the Ulster Historical, Foundation website lists an Elizabeth Curry baptised 1839 and a Rebecca Curry in 1842 to parents James Curry and Jane Finlay. (Pay to view).

There was also a Susannah in 1845 and an Amelia in 1846 to parents of the same names, which you may want to investigate.

https://www.ancestryireland.com

Those records should tell you what denomination the family was. (I have a hunch it may be St Anne's Church of Ireland).  That might be the church where James was baptised. Perhaps also his wife. I don’t see their marriage listed suggesting Jane was from a church whose records are either lost or not on-line. (Tradition was to marry in the bride’s church).

If you have definite evidence James & Jane were both born in Belfast then you could try searching for baptisms, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the city expanded dramatically in the 1800s and a huge proportion of the population came from outside the city. The population in 1800 was 20,000. By 1901 it was 350,000. Hundreds of thousands of people poured into the city from the surrounding counties all through the 1800s, to take advantage of the new jobs created by the shipyards, linen mills and related industries. So someone who married in Belfast c 1838, as in your case, may not necessarily have been born there.

Your next problem, is that a lot of the records are not on-line. Many Presbyterian records are not on-line and not all Church of Ireland records are either. No Methodist or most other minor denominations are on-line. The most complete collection is held in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast but a personal visit is required to view them. And it’s shut at present due to Covid.

Sorry it was Rebecca. I only have them from Belfast not where born and parents of James as John and Elizabeth Curry.. I do have Amelia born about 1847 but I find her born Ireland or New York.Susannah must have died before census in N.Y. as I don't find her listed at all with the family. Both Rebecca and Jane married at the 42St. Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, N.Y.C. I'd say its Presbyterian.

Thank you for your help.

Dawn

Dawn,

The baptisms I have found indicate that they were baptised in Belfast so that firms up their place of birth. 

Baptism records vary quite a bit. Some have no more than the child’s name, the date with the parents names. Sometimes only 1 parent's name though in this case it looks as though they have both. For some denominations there are godparents or sponsors, but Presbyterians don’t have godparents. Sometimes you get a townland/address and an occupation. Sometimes not.  If you want to find out what’s in these records, I fear you’ll have to pay.

Certainly if they married in a Presbyterian church in NYC that does point to them likely being Presbyterian in Ireland.