I've posted this email message on the general Antrim County Page, but I'm posting it here because my great-grandfather, Joseph Dinsmore, lived in Antrim and his father, Hugh Dinsmore, was a farmer in the Killagan Parish, the Townland of Ballynaloop in Ballymoney in the Barrony of Dunnluce Upper. My great-grandfather, Joseph, married my great-grandmother, Rose Gorman, in Feburary 1870, one year after his first wife, Jane Laverty, died. My great-grandparents -- either together or separately emmigrated to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, NY. According to family legend, Joseph abandoned his wife and son, but according to official U.S. census records, he died prior to the 1890 US Census, leaving my great-grandmother a widow. We have insurance policies signed by both my great-grandfather and great-grandmother for land and a cow in Brooklyn, NY up until 1888. After 1888, we have no records of my great-grandfather, which leads me to believe that he did in fact die somewhere between 1888 and 1890. On the outside chance that my great-grandfather either returned to Ireland or was buried in Ireland, I am reaching out to the folks of Parish Killagan in Antrim for any information they may provide. Are any of Hugh Dinsmore's descendents still living there? Hugh Dinsmore had at least seven children -- James born in 1842 (out of wedlock with Anne Martin), Mary Anne in 1842 (marriage of Hugh and Margaret), Hannah Jane in 1846 (marriage of Hugh and Margaret), Margaret in 1849 (marriage of Hugh and Margaret), Matilda in 1852 (marriage of Hugh and Margaret), William John in 1854 (marriage of Hugh and Margaret -- and the person listed on Griffith's Valuation after Hugh Dinsmore died). My great-grandfather, Joseph, who listed Hugh Dinsmore as his father on both his marriages is not listed among the baptismal records nor his possible sister, Elizabeth Dinsmore who married James McKeever.
As you can see, we have lots of verified information on the family, but are missing important pieces--particularly the death and baptismal records of my great-grandfater, Joseph Dinsmore. I would love to communicate with anyone who knows anything about Hugh Dinsmore, family members, descendents and especially my great-grandfather. If anyone there is related to this wing of the Dinsmore family, I'd be happy to share information about the United States descendents. Thank you.
ChristineDinsmore
Wednesday 9th Oct 2013, 03:02PMMessage Board Replies
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Not sure if you picked up this will. It mentions a nephew Hugh Kielt in America. Farm went to William John though he wasn?t there on the 1901 census. Just Hannah Jane.
Full Abstract :
Probate of the Will of Hugh Dinsmore late of Ballyinloob County Antrim Farmer who died 6 December 1895 granted at Belfast to Hugh S. Richard of Ballinloob Farmer. Effects ?288 8s. 6d.
(Full will on PRONI website).
Farm still in Wm John?s name in 1929. There are later records in PRONI (which are not on-line) and which would take the ownership record up to the 1960s. Modern address would seem to be Frosses Rd. There?s no Dinsmore listed there in the current phone book.
Ahoghill Antrim
Wednesday 9th Oct 2013, 03:57PM -
Thank you for your quick response. This is the first I'm seeing this information. I so appreaciate your writing me. Best regards, Christine
ChristineDinsmore
Wednesday 9th Oct 2013, 04:10PM -
I for got to add that I also searched for a death for Joseph in the Ballymoney area 1888 - 1901 but none is listed.
Ahoghill Antrim
Wednesday 9th Oct 2013, 04:38PM -
Again, many thanks. You've gone over and beyond for me. If I can return the favor, let me know. If you make it to NYC, there is a dinner waiting for you. :)
ChristineDinsmore
Wednesday 9th Oct 2013, 04:53PM -
did you manage to trace elizabeth dinsmore and james mckeever ? i might know who they are
Tuesday 22nd Jul 2014, 08:32PM -
Hello. Thanks for "reaching out." I have no more information on Elizabeth Dinsmore who married James McKeever on 7 June 1868. As I mentioned in my earliest post, we don't have baptism records for Joseph Dinsmore or Elizabeth Dinsmore, but both of them list Hugh Dinsmore as their father in their Catholic marriages. Hannah Dinsmore, the sister of Joseph and daughter of Hugh, was the witness for the Elizabeth Dinsmore-James McKeever wedding. Any information you might have would be greatly appreciated.
ChristineDinsmore
Tuesday 22nd Jul 2014, 09:32PM -
I will check this with documents I have in the morning that are iny office. do you know where the wedding took place ?
Tuesday 22nd Jul 2014, 09:59PM -
This is what I have:
7th June 1868 in Loughguile R C Chapel
James McKeever, Craig (no indication which Craigs), Tradesman Full age, RC, Bachelor, father Patrick, farmer to Elizabeth Dinsmore, Ballynalube (another spelling for Ballynaloob), Full age RC Spinster, father Hugh, Farmer.
By Rev H McLaughlin Witnesses:- John McLaughlin, Hannah Jane Dinsmore
Again, many thanks.
Christine
ChristineDinsmore
Tuesday 22nd Jul 2014, 10:39PM -
Hi I will double check this morning, I am nearly certain this is my GG Grandparents. If it is there are still McKeevers in the Craigs and have been for 500 years. They had children JAMES , JOHN JOSEPH, MARY AGNES, AND ANOTHER COUPLE CANT REMEMBER THEIR NAMES. My G Grandmother was MARY AGNES and the decendants of JOHN JOSEPH AND JAMES still live on four houses on the 'Craigs' to this day. My G Grandmother married QUENTIN MCAFEE.
Wednesday 23rd Jul 2014, 07:04AM -
Yes it them
Wednesday 23rd Jul 2014, 01:42PM -
Wow! Thank you for looking into this. Who knows, we may be long lost cousins. Even if we're not, great to connect. I see from your profile, you are in Scotland. I'm in the US -- Woodstock, NY, which is about two hours from NYC. I've been to Edinburgh and also Inverness. Traveled to Findhorn. Again, many thanks. All best, Christine
ChristineDinsmore
Wednesday 23rd Jul 2014, 02:02PM -
Yes my gran Elizabeth daughter of Mary Agnes and grand daughter of Elizabeth Dinsmore came to Scotland in 1922 age 17 and went on to be nurse.
I still keep in touch with McKeevers and was there last week on Holiday, as i said McKeevers have been in the Craigs 500 years,
When Elizabeth married James they moved to Dunloy, and then to the craigs.
Where did the Dunsmores originate, I remember my Gran saying Elizabeth Dinsmore was a 'Lady' and she us still referred as tgat in ilder generations as being well to do
Wednesday 23rd Jul 2014, 02:31PM -
Do you know your maternal ggg-grandmother's maiden name? (I'm trying to find out the maiden name of Hugh's wife.) Did you get my response, which gave some US history of Elizabeth's brother, Joseph? I don't see it among the posts. I replied to your comment rather than writing a new post and I can't find it. If you didn't get it, let me know and I can fill you in on the US details of your family.
Also, if you want, you can email me at: chdinsmore at gmail dot com.
ChristineDinsmore
Wednesday 23rd Jul 2014, 03:09PM -
did you get the email i sent seperatly ?
Thursday 24th Jul 2014, 06:24PM -
No. Did you send it to chdinsmore@yahoo.com? (As you can see, I'm giving up trying to protect my email address from mechanical trolls by just writing the email address out fully.) I am eager to hear whatever you know, especially as it appears that we are third cousins. I'm already planning on what to serve at the "welcome to New York, cousin" dinner. :)
ChristineDinsmore
Thursday 24th Jul 2014, 06:30PM -
Hi, i will send there, look at previous email you said gmail ?
Thursday 24th Jul 2014, 06:51PM -
OK, I have a gmail account as well. I'll look now. Sorry for the confusion.
ChristineDinsmore
Thursday 24th Jul 2014, 06:56PM