I'm looking for any information on the origins of my McMillan / Deacon line.
John McMillan was born Cir. 1805 in Ireland and most likely emigrated during the time of the Great Famine. He is recorded in Neilston, Renfrewshire, Scotland from 1851, near Paisley. He was recorded as a mason, coal miner an labourer.
His wife was Esther Deacon (AKA Deakin), born about 1805 in Ireland. Her death certificate records her parents as William Deacon and Mary Duncan. She outlived her husband and died in 1880 at 25 Castle Street, Paisley, Scotland.
Their children: John McMillan (born Cir 1833 Ireland), Elizabeth McMillan (born Cir 1836 Ireland), Bridget McMillan (born Cir 1840 Ireland), James McMillan (born Cir 1845 in Ireland or Scotland), William McMillan (born Cir 1847 in Ireland or Scotland). More information on my website: www.hutchisonfamily.me.uk
My grandmother believed they came from Northern Ireland, around the Mountains or Mourne, but this may be a family myth.
Any information appreciated.
Best wishes,
Craig
Saturday 9th Feb 2013, 02:22PM
Message Board Replies
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Hi Craig,
Thank you for your message and for sharing your website on the Ireland Reaching Out message board.
Do you have any documentation belonging to the family-official or unofficial- that mentions any place name at all, even a county? Documentation such as census records, marriage records, wills, letters, diaries, family bibles may have something recorded. Sometimes a townland or parish may even be inscribed upon a tombstone.
One possible course of action may be to try to find church records pertaining to the family when they were in Ireland online:
www.familysearch.org has a large collection of church records available.
www.rootsireland.ie a large collection of records are available here however you have to pay to use this site.
You could also try looking for the families in the land records pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. However, if multiple results come back, you will have no way of knowing if they are relevant to your search as no genealogical information is given.
There are two:
The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
and Griffith?s Valuation (1848-1864) found at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
Some other websites that may be helpful in your search are:
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx
The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/
The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm
Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/
The National Archives Scotland- family history: http://www.nas.gov.uk/familyHistory/
You could also try contacting the Ulster Historical Foundation for assistance, however a fee may apply. Here are their contact details:
Ulster Historical Foundation,
49 Malone Road,
Belfast,
BT9 6RY
Phone: + 44 28 9066 1988 Email: enquiry@uhf.org.uk
Kind regards,
Genealogy Support
Tuesday 16th Apr 2013, 03:30PM