I have been researching my family in Killead, Co. Antrim. I have got back to my 3x Great Grandparents but am now stuck.
My 3x Great Grandfather was Robert McConkey born late 1700's in Co. Antrim. He married Martha, ms unknown, marriage date unknown. He joined the 18th Regiment of Foot after his marriage. He was still serving with them when he died in 1827 in Portsea in Hampshire.
Martha returned to Ireland with their son Thomas born 1818 in Alverstoke, Hampshire. Martha died 15 January 1885 in Tully at the advanced age of 97! Her occupation was given as seamstress! Thomas died 1 February 1898 in Gortnagallon, Killead.
Thomas married twice, Elizabeth Richmond in 1851 and Matilda Jane Campbell in 1867. The marriages took place at St. Anne's C/I Shankill, Belfast. Thomas address is given as Ballymacarrett.
All the records I've been able to find so far seem to point to the family originating from the Parish of Killead. I realise that many records have been lost but would be grateful for any clues you can give me or point me in the right direction.
Best regards,
Dawn McConkey
Sunday 7th Jul 2024, 12:48AM
Message Board Replies
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David,
A small portion of the 1851 Irish census has survived and it includes part of Killead. It lists 1 McConkey household in Ballyquillan, plus another where a McConkey was working as a servant. No obvious link to your family but they were living near Martha and so might be related. (I noticed that a Hugh McConkey was a witness to the 1867 marriage in Killead, so wonder if this might be the same Hugh. A cousin perhaps?)
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1851/Antrim/Lower_Masserene/Killead/Ballyquillan/4/
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1851/Antrim/Lower_Masserene/Killead/Ballyquillan/5/
Family was Church of Ireland judging by the 1901 census:
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Antrim/Seacash/Ballyquillan/917528/
Hugh McConkey was married to Mary Ramsay:
She died in 1878:
Hugh married in 1867. His father was James a farmer.
Here’s James probate abstract:
The Will of James M'Conkey late of Ballyquillan in the County of Antrim Farmer deceased who died 29 November 1865 at same place was proved at Belfast by the oaths of William John M'Conkey of Ballyquillan and Alexander Nixon of Ballynadrenta both in (Crumlin) the said County Farmers two of the Executors.
The will itself is on-line on the PRONI site and mentions James’ wife Mary, son William John who was to inherit 1 farm in Ballyquillan, son Hugh who was to inherit a second (Jones Land) and son David who was to inherit a 3rd situated in Crosshill. there was also provision for 2 unmarried daughters Margaret & Anne Jane.
Daniel’s marriage here:
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…
The portion of the 1851 census for Tully has not survived, sadly so we don’t know if Martha McConkey was in it.
Marriage here for a David McConkey of Killead in 1852. Father was Robert, a labourer. Is that a brother to your Thomas?
As you probably know, there are 2 Church of Ireland churches in Killead (Gartree & Killead). Both churches early records were lost in the 1922 fire. Gartree has nothing before 1899 now and Killead nothing before 1838. There were 2 Presbyterian churches in the parish (tradition being to marry in the bride’s church. Note that Thomas’s second marriage was in Killead Church of Ireland, not St Anne’s in Belfast). Killead Presbyterian has no records earlier than 1826 and Loanends nothing before 1834.
Robert & Martha evidently married before 1816. Sadly there are no records that might show their marriage or their own baptisms, for the Killead area. Getting back any earlier will be challenging.
Possibly DNA testing may be a way of matching with others who have additional information about where the family originate. Family Tree DNA reportedly has more people with Ulster roots than any other company. That obviously increases the chances of finding a match. You might want to try them or, if you have already tested, you can transfer your results to them for no fee.
The North of Ireland Family History Society is running an Ulster DNA project in conjunction with FTDNA and can offer testing kits at a reduced price. http://www.nifhs.org (Go to DNA project on the website).
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Sunday 7th Jul 2024, 07:35AM -
Good morning Elwyn,
Thank you so much for doing all that. It is very much appreciated. I knew it was a long shot but if you don't ask.
It was my Great Grandfather, William Henry McConkey, who came out to NZ when he was 20y. He was the only child of Thomas & Elizabeth. I suspect Elizabeth died when William was very young although I've never found her death record. Family lore says that William was sent to live with extended family so may be that could have been Hugh. I have wondered about him. Family lore also says he came out to join an uncle / cousin - a Mr. White!
William's 2 half brothers were Thomas and Samuel Hamilton and I'm in contact with their descendants. They do not know anything about Thomas's first wife. They were a lot younger than William of course. I believe William did keep in touch with his family in Ireland and my grandparents visited them in 1959.
Thomas did have 2 sisters. Mary born 1814 in Jersey, Channel Islands. She seems to have been left there when the Regiment moved on. She married there. They also had Jane born in Malta in 1823. Have no idea what happened to her. It must have been really hard travelling with the army with small children.
Once again thank you very much for what you have been able to tell me.
Very warm wishes,
Dawn McConkey
Saturday 13th Jul 2024, 12:21AM