Foreman, McKnight and Watson families of Kilcorrig

For the social history of the area I would recommend you look at the Ordnance Survey memoirs for Magheragall. This was a survey of life at the time (carried out for the government) which assesses each parish in Ireland in the mid 1830s. You get a snapshot of information about social economy, topography, occupations, diseases, transport, religion, ancient monuments, markets, banking arrangements, local clubs etc. The memoirs are published in a series of volumes, each containing several parishes, within each county. So you need the county Antrim volume that covers Magheragall. I do not know which volume number that is. The Ulster Historical Foundation were selling copies recently and you could try contacting them to see if they have the one you need. (Even if they don't have it, ask them for the volume number to help narrow your search elsewhere).

http://www.ancestryireland.com/

The  modern editions were published by the Institute of Irish Studies at Queens University, Belfast in 1995.

Thank you very much for that quick response and the information. I will follow that one up.

Warm regards, Christine.

Hello Christine

We are related! My great grandmother is also Maria Jane Campbell (nee Foreman!). My grandfather is one of the Campbell sons! Have you found any other relatives? I am new to this.....

warm regards,

Kathy McKee

Hi Christine,  I don't think I'm much help to you, but I am also trying to understand the Watsons of Magheragall.  My 3rd Great Grandparents were Maria Watson married to Richard Scott (in1836).  Richard was the schoolteacher and they lived very close to Maghergall Church, so very close to yours in Kilcorig.  Maria had a brother, a tailor, called William.  I also have an untenable George and a tangled up Samuel that I theorise were either brothers or cousins, so I am always interested to hear about Watsons in Magheragall.  There is also a nephew John which I'm trying to connect.  I know there was a James Watson of Brookhill, but I don't think we have a connection there (there's no money amongst my lot!).

The Scotts lived on the Ballinderry Road, and right across the road were my other 3GGs John and Ann Bunting (nee Graham).  Two Scott daughters married two Bunting brothers, one pair being my 2nd Gt Grandparents.

I have found Griffiths very useful in creating some theories to work on, and it's how I found that the two families lived so close together.

Hello!

I am also researching the McNeights and Watsons from Kilcorig, Magheragall.

How do you know Maria Watson's father was James and not William?

See the tithe applotments for Magheragall.

Watson, Arthur Townland: Magheragell Year: 1827
Watson, Isabella Townland: Ballycarrickmaddy Year: 1827
Watson, James, Esq. Townland: Ballyclough Year: 1827
Watson, Jas. Townland: Kilcorig Year: 1827
Watson, John Townland: Ballyclough Year: 1827
Watson, Moses Townland: Ballyclough Year: 1827
Watson, Thomas Townland: Moneybroom Year: 1827
Watson, William Townland: Kilcorig Year: 1827
Watson, William Townland: Moneybroom Year: 1827

My relative is Wilhelmina Lawson McNeight and is mentioned in the codicil of Maria Watson McNeight's will. Wilhelmina was a "foundling...born in 1838" according Vestry minutes and states that James McNeight, husband of Maria is her father on her wedding cert. DNA results have proved recently that she is indeed related to James McNeight.

Anyway...just wondering what other information you have on these two families.

Thanks so much!

Sandy

Hello everyone,
I am interested to read that Wilhelmina Lawson McNeight was a foundling, as recorded in the Vestry Minutes, and that Sandy has DNA proof that Wilhelmina was related to James McNeight (named as her father in her marriage cert to William Annett(e).
To cut a long story short William Annette and Wilhelmina Annett(e) nee McNeight are my great, great grandparents. They ended up living off the Shankill Road in Belfast.
I would be fascinated to learn more about the McNeights and in particular to hear from Sandy, and anyone else for that matter, on your thoughts about who might have been the biological mother of Wilhelmina and where the name Lawson or Lorsen (as I have found it is sometimes spelt) might have come from.
Thanks in anticipation,
Lou