McWhirter Family

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!

I had a look on rootsireland but the only baptism I could see was for a Joseph McWhirter in May 1835. His father is listed as Joseph but no mother's details are provided. The family were Presbyterian. Do you think this is relevant?

I couldn't see a marriage record for Joseph.

What do you think?

Best wishes

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

Tradition was to marry in the bride’s church so Brigh Presbyterian may be the place to look for her baptism, and that of any siblings. I note that Mary lived in Annaghone and that one of the witnesses at the 1858 marriage was a William McWhirter. I wonder if this is him in 1901:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1901/Tyrone/Tullaghoge/Annaghone/1730073/

1911 census:

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Tyrone/Tullaghoge/Annaghone/859763/

I note that in 1859 Griffiths Valuation has a Jane McWhurte(r) in a weaver’s house (plot 5b) on John Henderson’s farm in Annaghone. Her name remains as tenant until 1888 when she is replaced by William (suggesting she died around that time). His name remains there until 1921 at which time the property is noted as being dilapidated but still with a good roof.

Possible death for Wm McWhirter registered in Cookstown 3.5.1918. The age (56) doesn’t reconcile with the census information but ages were sometimes wildly inaccurate on death certs. Or there might be a transcription error.

Brigh Presbyterian records have been copied and are held in PRONI in Belfast. A personal visit is required to access them.

If Jane McWhurte(r) was Joseph’s wife, the Griffiths information suggests he had died by 1859. 

Hi Clare, Thank you for that information, hopefully Joseph was Mary Ann's brother. She had a brother called George (1830) and she was born in 1841, so that date of his birthwould fit. I presume the family were Presbyterian as she was married Bligh Pres Meeting House, I do know that they were staunch protestants. Again I appreciate your help. Regards Carole

Hi Elwyn, thank you for so much information, again age wise William would fit into the family group and I'd love to think Jane was Mary Ann's mother! It looks as if I'll need to book a trip some time to PRONI to take a look at the Bligh Meeting House records! I felt I'd hit a brick wall with my Irish ancestors, but Irelandxo Reaching Out has given me a glimpse of light! Again thank you both. Regards Carole

I am sort of lost with all this. Our family history from St. Stephen, New Brunswick Canada has gone cold.

We had a grandparent names "Joseph McWhirty," possibly Joseph (William) McWhirter born in 1832, but some records indicate 1825. His mother Judith, was born in Armagh in 1803.  She came over from Ireland between 1851 and 1861.  He was a blacksmith.  He only had girls and there are no real records.  His name was recorded as McWorty, McWhirty, McWhirter, but the name was legally recorded for his daughters as McWhirty.  The last one died in 1842 it appears.  He had three that died prior to the age of 21, three that never married and the one that married (Henrietta) was our greatxgrandmother.

Hello:

Welcome to the Ireland Reaching Out message board! 

If you have further information that you would like to share as to other family first names, it may be possible to collaborate with the other poster on this thread.  Hopefully Thompson-McWhirter may be able to shed more light.

Please be sure to check back for any new information with regard to this post. 

Many thanks for your interest in Ireland Reaching Out.

Kind regards,

Jane.