Ballyeaston Presb - Thomas McClean m Margaret Carmichael 1840

The following abstract relates to the Thomas you have mentioned. The will itself is on-line on the PRONI site. (It mentions wife Margt, and children Andrew, Wm, Jas, Sam?l, Hugh, Stafford, Eliza, Nancy & Sarah.)

The Will of Thomas M'Lean late of Skilganaban County Antrim Farmer who died 24 December 1884 at same place was proved at Belfast by John M'Clean and William Carmichael both of Ballyalbana in said County Farmers the Executors.

http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/willsSearchResultsDetails.aspx

Not sure you?ll get much more from the church baptism records than is on the Emerald site. All baptisms usually contain is the names, dates and townland. You probably have all that already.

If you want sight of the originals, there?s a copy in PRONI on microfilm MIC1P/24. The baptisms are indexed. A personal visit is normally necessary to get access to them.

Another probate abstract (This will is not on-line. Full file is in paper format in PRONI).:

McClean Mary Anne of Skilganaban Ballyclare county Antrim farmer married woman died 3 March 1942 Probate Belfast 15 September to Robert McClean farmer. Effects ?915 7s. 3d.

Thank you for your reply, and so quickly too. Marvellous! Thank you. 

Your response has given me valuable information and has helped me focus (sometimes the search is overwhelming!) I'm a novice at this and I do appreciate your assistance.

The will has provided names of two more children (Nancy and William), previously unknown and not on Emerald baptisms and not in the family trees of other researchers on ancestry.com. So I wonder if the church baptism records would be of help after all - to confirm this is my family after all or whether there are two families in the same place with very similar families.

It's exciting and frustrating in equal measure!

Many thanks,
Anita

Anita,

I should think this is your family. Emerald may have overlooked the 2 extra baptisms or the baptisms may not have been recorded in the registers. (I have seen plenty of blank spaces where Ministers have forgotton the child's name eg "A male child to John & Mary Smith"). 

You may need to employ a local researcher to go through the church records for you. They will also be able to get copies of the wills and any other documents PRONI may have eg leases, and other papers relating to the family.

Elwyn