Hi
I am reaching out to see if anyone can assist in my reserch of the Williamson family from Downpatrick, Down.
Thomas Williamson (baptized June 6, 1797) in Downpatrick Down, married Susan B Gray. Thomas and Susan immigrated to Canada prior to 1840. Possibly on ship called Douglas.
His parents were Henry and Jane Williamson.
His siblings included: James 1801; Richard 1803; Samuel 1806; Henry 1808; Jane 1811 or 1815; and John 1817.
Thomas' and Susan's children included: Isobel; Lisa; Mary Ann; Sarah, Susan, John 1822; Jane 1850 and my great great grandfather, (Thomas) James Williamson (1840 - born in Canada). I have no information if any of the siblings immigrated to Canada.
They were likely Church of Ireland.
I will be travelling to Ireland this coming September and am wanting to connect with Williamson's who may be still in the area and possibly related. I am also looking to try and find out where any of my ancestors may be buried.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my email and respond.
Kind regards
Wendy Williamson
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Friday 20th Feb 2015, 05:38AM
Message Board Replies
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Wendy,
Williamson is a fairly common name in Co Down. There were 292 of them listed in the 1901 census of the county. If your family were Church of Ireland, then these are the early church records for the parish of Down (which includes Downpatrick). There?s a copy held in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast. They are not on-line there and a personal visit is required to view them. They are free to view there. The originals should be held by the Church but there will normally be a charge to view them. ?12 an hour, I think.
(The 1794 applotment records might be a particularly helpful in tracing Henry Williamson snr, if he had any land).
?Baptisms, 1733-4, 1750-1815 and 1818-99; marriages, 1701-1969; burials, 1718-36 and 1752-1876; vestry minutes, 1704-1951;preachers? books, 1898-1925 and 1942-90; briefs read out in church after which money was collected, 1716-35; list of poor widows and others exempted from hearth money tax, 1733; vestry accounts, 1753-69; register of vestrymen, 1871-1970; minutes of the select vestry, 1873-1975.
Copy of baptisms, 1750-1813 and 1817-29, marriages, 1752-1829, and burials, 1752-1829.
Marriage notice books, 1845-55 and 1873-1957. Applotment for Down parish, 1794.
Copy of baptisms, 1733-1856, marriages, 1701-1875, and burials, 1719-1876.?
Rosdavies has a few Williamsons in Co Down on her site:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Erosdavies/SURNAMES/…
I looked in the current phone book for BT30 (the Downpatrick area) for Williamson entries. None are listed. (Many people are ex-directory these days so that?s not conclusive). And I can see that there are 5 or 6 people named Williamson on the current electoral register of the area (pay to view).
http://www.192.com/people/search/
The Council is in charge of two municipal cemeteries, Struell Cemetery, situated at Old Course Road, Downpatrick and Lough Inch Cemetery, Riverside Road, Ballynahinch. But you may need to enquire locally about other graveyards in the area, including the cathedral which has some graves. Notably St Patrick?s. Or so it is claimed!
Elwyn
Ahoghill Antrim
Friday 20th Feb 2015, 08:11AM -
Elwyn, thank you so much for the information. Much appreciated.
Kind regards
Wendy
Tuesday 24th Feb 2015, 06:48AM -
Elwyn, thank you so much for the information. Much appreciated.
Kind regards
Wendy
Tuesday 24th Feb 2015, 06:48AM -
Elwyn, thank you so much for the information. Much appreciated.
Kind regards
Wendy
Tuesday 24th Feb 2015, 06:49AM