Sarah Swain (b ca 1819) is thought to have come from Moira. She married William Byers(b ca 1820) about 1844 and immigrated to The US arriving in New York in the summer of 1845(or 44). WIth her are William (spouse) her son John and infant and William's brother John age about 22.
Who are Sarah's parents? Are they Thomas Swain and Grace English? Who are William's parents? Was he from County Down? or other county?
Friday 18th Sep 2015, 02:35PM
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Bill,
Registration of non RC marriages started in Ireland in April 1845. I don’t see this marriage in the statutory records so it seems likely that it predates that. To find it you need to know the location and denomination. Tradition was to marry in the bride’s church. Looking at the Swains in the Moira area in the 1901 census they are Presbyterian and Church of Ireland, so those tow denominations seem most likely.
Moira Church of Ireland has records that cover the 1840s (and go back to the 1700s). Moira Presbyterian church has none earlier than April 1845. So you have to hope that the family were Church of Ireland.
There is also a Methodist church in Moira with baptisms from 1827 and marriages from 1843.
So far as I can tell neither the Church of Ireland nor the Methodist records are on-line. The churches hold the originals but there are also copies of the Church of Ireland records in PRONI, the public record office, in Belfast. Their copy is not on-line and so a personal visit is required to access them. If you are unable to go there yourself, you may need to employ a researcher.
http://www.proni.gov.uk/guide_to_church_records.pdf
The Methodist records are still held by the church so would need to contact them to access them.
Don’t expect too much from pre 1845 marriage records. Often all you get are the couples names, the date and their 2 witnesses. Rarely will you get parents names. However you might get a townland and occupation which may help.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Friday 18th Sep 2015, 05:35PM