LOUDON FAMILY

I note that you have Robert born in Drumeneagh and Richard born in Dromena. Those are just different spellings of the same place. Both would be pronounced the same way. The standardized version today is Drumenagh but you will see many variations in the records. (Similarly you will see the spelling of your family surname appear many different ways. The idea of a single "correct" version is very much a 20th century pre-occupation and is not a concept that would have troubled our ancestors. Expect the spelling to vary in Irish records.

William is listed in the 1831 census in Drumenagh, at which time his family consisted of 4 males and 4 females, all Church of Ireland. Living nearby were Edward and David Loudon who are likely to be close relations. Edward had 5 males and 5 females in his family  and David had 4 males and 6 females.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1831/Londonderry/Loughinsholin/Artrea/Drunmenagh/14/

Griffiths Valuation for 1859 shows William Loudon?s farm in Drumenagh. He had plot 23 which was a farmhouse, outbuildings and 17 acres. That property today would be on the Ballynagarve Rd, a mile or two north of Ballyronan.

I also notice 2 other Loudon farming nearby on plot 6. David senior and David jnr. They might be related.

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

The revaluation records show William leaving around 1865 which tie sin with your information. He was replaced briefly by Hugh Rock and then by John Murphy.

http://applications.proni.gov.uk/dcal_proni_val12b/RelatedVolume.aspx?5262

There were 2 Loudon farms in Drumenagh in 1901 who may well be related:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Londonderry/Ballyronan/Drumenagh/1532359/

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Londonderry/Ballyronan/Drumenagh/1532369/

Drumenagh is in the parish of Artrea. Artrea Church of Ireland records are the ones to research, if you have not already done so. Their baptism and marriage records start in 1811. The parish records from 1829 onwards are on-line on the rootsireland site but for the earlier ones you would need to get someone to look them up for you in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast.

http://www.rootsireland.ie

Here?s some probate abstracts (summaries) taken from the PRONI wills site.

Administration of the estate of David Louden late of Drumenagh Magherafelt County Londonderry Farmer who died 16 January 1882 granted at Londonderry to William Louden Farmer

The above file was destroyed in the 1922 fire, and only the abstract survives.

Probate of the Will of John London late of Drumenagh County Londonderry Farmer who died 5 February 1897 granted at Londonderry to George Forbes Weaver and William J. M'Guekin Blacksmith both of Ballyronan said County

The above will is on-line on the PRONI site.

Louden Caroline of Drumenagh county Londonderry widow died 25 September 1932 Probate Londonderry 28 October to Joseph P. Kerlin M.D. Effects ?162 2s. 11d.

Administration of the estate of David Louden late of Drumenagh Magherafelt County Londonderry Farmer who died 16 January 1882 granted at Londonderry to William Louden Farmer

The above two probate files do exist but are not on-line yet. They are held in PRONI.

http://applications.proni.gov.uk/DCAL_PRONI_WillsCalendar/WillsSearchRe…