French

Janet,

I think that the townland where Mary Ann lived was Ballygrooby which was (and still is) on the eastern outskirts of Randalstown, Co Antrim. Griffiths Valuation (1862) has several French households listed there, though not one specifically for Mary Ann at that point.

http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml?action=nameSearch

However looking at the revaluation records, which take Griffiths forward, I see a John French on plots 36 & 37 in Ballygrooby. That was a farmhouse , outbuildings and a total of about 11 acres. In 1867 the tenant changes to Robert French. He remains the tenant till 1877 when it changes to Mary Ann French. She in turn is replaced by James O’Kane in 1897.

http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/val12b.htm

If you know the family denomination, you could have a look for gravestones in the churchyards in Randalstown. (There’s 1 RC, 3 Presbyterian and 1 Church of Ireland, plus the old churchyard on the Magheralane Rd). I don’t think the inscriptions have been put on-line and so a personal visit is required. French is a fairly common name in Randalstown and so there are certainly plenty of graves with that name on.

Robert junior’s birth was before the start of statutory birth registration in Ireland (1864) and so you won’t get a birth certificate for him. You might find his baptism but to do that you’ll need to know his denomination and where he was born. Your information seems to suggest Balllymena. Most of the church records for Ballymena are in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast. A personal visit is required to view them.

Ballygrooby today is partially housing estates and partially still farmland. Plots 36 & 37 appear to be on the edge of the housing estate area, near Mulholland’s Motors. I am not entirely sure whether the farm is still there or has been built on. You would need to get a copy of the Griffiths map from PRONI or Ballymena library to pinpoint it more accurately.

I see what looks to be the marriage between Patrick Long and Matilda Wilkinson was registered in Dublin South 1860 Vol 5, page 237. You can order a photocopy of the certificate from GRO Roscommon for €4 (euros).  http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Apply-for-Certificates.aspx

You have to download and print off the form. Then either post or fax it back to them. You can’t e-mail it to them. However if you want them to e-mail the cert to back to you, they will do that, so tick the relevant box.

Put the reference details on the form (anywhere). Don’t worry about leaving some boxes blank. As long as GRO have the location, name(s), year, quarter (where there is one), volume and page number they should find it.

Tradition was to marry in the bride’s church which should be on the certificate, (unless it was a Registry Office marriage). That church may be the place to look for her baptism and that of any siblings.

Elwyn,Thank You so very much!!! This information is amazing!!! We have been researching the French line for so many years and the information you have given us has helped us confirm information we had but we're not too sure of. We now know that we are looking at Ballgrooby. That there are churches we can contact, my great grandfather was Presbyterian. That the French name is very common in Randalstown. Wow we are so excited to move forward with this. Thank You again. Will keep in touch

Janet

Janet,

I live in Randalstown so if you need any particualr local information, let me know.

Does anybody know anything about the history of O'Neills who settled in Ballygrooby, not the Shanescastle O'Neills, but probably from a distantly related Catholic family ? I am seeking information on my ancestor Bernard O'Neill. He is listed in Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary as "Bernard O'Neill, Esq., of Anaghmore, previously of Ballygrooby and Dunmore". 

One (actually two or three) steps closer to finding out who the O'Neills I mentioned in my above posting. A Conn O'Neill is listed in the 1669 Hearth Rolls at Ballygrooby

Janet, a John French (ffrance) is listed at Ballygrooby also in the 1669 Hearth Rolls

The Belfast Newsletter & Advertiser, 1st August 1766

To be let from the first of November next, for Lives or Years, the following
lands part of the estate of Charles O'Neill, of Shanescastle and County of
Antrim, Esq; (to wit)

Manor of Edenduffcarrick:

Widow Dobbin's farm in Achilley

William Astler, Henry O'Neill, David Astler, Joseph French, and the sons of John (roe) French in Ballygrooby.

Henry O'Neill is Harry na Parka I was inquiring about who is my ancestor.