I'm seeking information on ancestor Neal Campbell of Finvoy. According to records I have found some of his children were baptised at the Finvoy COI. He married Elizabeth Dick but I am not sure where that marriage took place. Possibly at Finvoy too. Still researching this.
I just googled Finvoy Church of Ireland & found a photo of the church of that name. The photo shows the notice board at the front of the property "Parish of Ballymoney, Finvoy & Rasharkin". Right next to this noticeboard on the right hand side is a headstone of Campbell.
I can't read what the headstone says but would like to know as it may relate to the Campbells I am looking for. Would a volunteer in the area be able to take a photo of this Campbell headstone?
I would also like to know if this church keeps records on site or have they all gone to PRONI?
Are there any local genealogy groups I should also contact?
Thanks
Pam
Friday 3rd May 2024, 09:37PM
Message Board Replies
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Pam,
You haven’t given any dates to go with the information in your post. I had a look on Ancestry and there are a number of trees which appear to record this family, but with significantly different information. For example, one has Neal Campbell dying in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, USA in 1907. Another has him dying in Ballymena, Co Antrim, Ireland in 1891. Clearly they cannot both be right.
As regards Finvoy Church of Ireland, it has marriage records from 1812 onwards. Some coverage of those records are on the rootsireland site (subscription). Not sure what years they cover. PRONI (the Public Record Office) in Belfast has a copy of all their records but a personal visit is required to view them. You can view them there free. If you are unable to go yourself, you could employ a researcher. Researchers in the PRONI area: http://sgni.net
The originals are still held by Finvoy church. You can contact the parish office to see whether they will look them up. (There will normally be a fee). Many churches in Ireland get far more genealogical enquiries than they can cope with so I cannot guarantee you’ll get a reply, or when you will get it. Getting a researcher to look them up in PRONI might be easier.
Here’s a link to the death of Neill Campbell who died in 1891 in Dreen, near Ballymena. I have no way of knowing if that is your family, merely that someone on Ancestry evidently thinks it is:
A bit more detailed information about your family would make helping you a bit easier. Campbell is a very common name in the Finvoy area and care needs to be taken to make sure you are researching the correct family. There’s dozens of them. The more information you can give us the better.
Scutcher (on the 1891 death certificate) is a trade in linen making. The Dreen Campbells all appear to have been Presbyterian (according to the 1901 census). Could have attended a range of Presbyterian churches in that area eg Cullybackey, Ahoghill 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 3rd May 2024, 11:26PM -
Roots Ireland (subscription) has Finvoy C of I marriages from 1812-1845. Starting 1845 the marriages would have been civilly registered and can be found on the free site irishgenealogy.ie
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Saturday 4th May 2024, 02:58PM