Gastons from Glenwhirry, Ballymena

Hi,

Thank you for your message.

I hope that someone who is researching the same family makes a connection with you to share information.

In the meantime, you could try checking to see if there are any other church records available that may not be on the Roots Ireland website.

Presbyterian registers are held in three main locations:

in local custody

in the Public Records of Northern Ireland (PRONI) http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

at the Presbyterian Historical Society http://www.presbyterianhistoryireland.com in Belfast.

PRONI has microfilm copies of almost all registers in Northern Ireland and also lists of records held by the Presbyterian Historical Society.

You could also check for record of the family in the land acts pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. 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 you may find helpful 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/

Family Search: www.familysearch.org

Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/antrim/index.html

Alternatively, you could contact the Ulster Historical Foundation for assistance, however a fee may apply. Here is their email: enquiry@uhf.org.uk

I hope that this is helpful. Please be patient - as our programme has only begun to rollout across the island of Ireland and volunteers in some areas may not yet be organized.

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support

I am researching the Gaston name and what I have follows:

William Gaston b. 1841 (his father was William but I have no other info)

Married Sarah Jane Rock 19 May 1866  Her b. 16 April 1839.  Her death was at #16 Olinda Cottage, Craigavad, County Down on 5 August 1911.

Children:

Louisa Jane Rock b. 10 July 1862

Elizabeth b. 21 Oct 1868

George b. 1871

Annie Sophia b. 7 May 1878

Helen b. 9 Jan. 1874

Mary b. 22 Nov. 1881

I got this information from FamilySearch.org  

Sarah Jane Rock was my great-great-grandmother, her daughter Louisa Jane married my great-grandfather Thomas Sproule Johnston.

Brenda Johnston Slack

Haliburton, Canada.

Hello Brenda Slack, I only picked up your posting today after nearly 7 years! I am your cousin, as my grandmother Annie Sophia Gaston was a sister of your great  grandmother Louisa Jane Gaston who married Thomas Sprole Johnston. Which line are you descended from, James Alexander or Sarah? I have a lot of information about the Gastons and Rocks so do get in touch, preferably by email trevorctaylor@btinternet.com. I use Ancestry for my searches. I live two miles from Olinda Lodge Craigavad where Sarah Jane died. Trevor Taylor