Canadian searching for Bruce history

Hi,

Thank you for your message.

Do you know where in Down the family originated from? Most Irish record sources- church records, land records, census records- are based on specific locations. Until you know a specific location within Ireland, preferably a parish or place name, it may be difficult to do anything more with these records.

Do you have any official/unofficial documentation belonging to the family that mentions any place names? Documents such as census records, wills, death certs or diary entries, letters etc.

Do you know much about Alexander?s emigration? Generally more information was given at the port of arrival rather than that of departure. If you knew this it may be a place to find more information, and perhaps even an exact place of origin. For immigration records in Canada check the National Library and Archives at the following link:

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html

Another good website for general information on Canadian immigration records is Genealogy Toolkit at the following link:

http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Canadian-immigration-records.html

You could try searching for them in Griffith?s Valuation. This was a property survey carried out in Ireland between 1848 and 1864. It doesn?t offer any genealogical information, however it can sometimes be used to tie a person to a specific place.

You can search this here:

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/     

You could also do a search at www.familysearch.org . This is a huge database of genealogical records that has been complied by the Church of the Latter Day Saints. If you can find some record of any of the family it may give you a parish name.

Some other websites that you may find useful are:

The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

The National Archives UK ? genealogy search: http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/family_history.htm

The National Archives Scotland- family history: http://www.nas.gov.uk/familyHistory/

Genealogy Links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/down/index.html

I hope that some of these links are helpful and that you are able to establish a place of origin. Once you have done this other avenues of research will open up to you. If you are still unsuccessful you could also try contacting the Ulster Historical Foundation for assistance-however a fee may apply. Here are their contact details:

Ulster Historical Foundation,

49 Malone Road,

Belfast BT9 6RY,

Northern Ireland.

Phone: +44 (0) 28 9066 1988   Email: enquiry@uhf.org.uk

Best of luck with your research!

Kind regards,

Genealogy Support