I’m interested in the Boyce family of Ballydugan (or Ballydougan), County Down. John Boyce (1815-1897), son of John Boyce and Mary McCormick, was my Gt Gt Grandfather. He married Sarah Ann Forsyth (1820-1902), daughter of William Forsyth and Isabella Harvey, from Dromore, Co Down in Gilford, Co Down on 18th Nov 1844.
John and Sarah moved to Ayrshire, Scotland and lived their lives there in Girvan, Troon, Saltcoats and Ardrossan, having 11 known children along the way between 1843 and 1862. Among them was my Gt Grandmother, Mary Boyce (1846-1915), who married James Welsh in Glasgow in 1877.
A poor relief application made late in life in Ardrossan by John Boyce indicates he was from the parish of Ballydongan, Co Down, Ireland. However, I am sure the reference should be to Ballydugan, close to both Gilford and Dromore.
Trying to get some verification of the marriages of John Boyce/Mary McCormick and John Boyce/Sarah Ann Forsyth, and to establish if John Boyce and Mary McCormick had any other offspring.
Happy to share info and appreciative of any help. (David in Aberdeen, Scotland)
killieroots
Monday 13th Feb 2017, 05:40PMMessage Board Replies
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David:
Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out!
Can you clarify the religious denomination of your ancestors?
Assuming RC, the RC records for Tullyish RC parish do not begin until 1833 http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0440 so it is unlikely that records exist for siblings of John Boyce and the marriage record for John Boyce and Mary McCormick.
Roots Ireland does not have the marriages for Dromore RC prior to 1864. I looked at the parish register and there were no marriages in November 1844 http://registers.nli.ie/parishes/0446
Roger McDonnell
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Hi Roger, Thanks for your response and interest. as far as I'm aware the Boyce family were Protestant, certaily the children married in Church of Scotland.
The marriage on 18 Nov 1844 of John Boyce and Sarah Ann Forsyth was in Gilford, Co Down
Thanks for your assistance
David
killieroots
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A bit of fresh information on dates here. An 1862 birth record of their son Thomas shows that John Boyce and Sarah (or Sally) Anne Forsyth married in Gilford, County Down in November or December 1840, not 1844. The earlier date is far more plausible as John and Sarah’s first child arrived in Girvan in 1842/1843, and the info comes from John Boyce himself as the birth informant.
David in Aberdeen
killieroots
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Hi David!
This link is a great resource on the availability of Church of Ireland records.
https://www.ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/AboutUs/library/registers…
You may want to contact the Gilford church to see if they have 1840 records.
https://www.downanddromore.org/parishes/gilford?searchterm=gilford#.WMW…
Roger
Castlemore Roscommon, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Thank you Roger. These are terrific links. and I have written to the Vicar at Gilford as yiou suggest.
Best wishes, David
killieroots
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There is a John and Mary Boyce of Ballydougan having son Henry baptized 7-27-1823 in Tullylish COI. This is rather late for a lady to give birth, but not out of the question if John (the son) was born 1815. Buried at Tullylish COI is John in 11-19-1830 (no age given) and Mary in 2-2-1859 aged 84. This would make Mary born about 1775, though death ages are always a bit off. In the 1857 Knocknamuckley COI census, there is Mary age 81 (born abt 1776) , sons Robert 38 (born abt 1819) and James 40 (born abt 1817). Robert and James are in Griffiths (1862-1864ish) and Mary has died. There is a good chance these are members of your family. No proof, though I would follow the tax records for their properties at PRONI's on-line records to see who takes over the land after death or a move.
At Seagoe COI with no location given-John and Mary Boyce had Elizabeth baptized Feb/9/1797 As a wild guess, John and Mary's children cluster in the 1810's and this feels too early, but still possible.
Kat_C
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Thank you Kat,
Some of the baptism and burial dates I had from extracts from the Gordon Asher Boyce book , however the census and Griffiths info adds significantly to that, and gives lots of new lines to explore.
Thank you so much for taking the time.
Best wishes, David
killieroots
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Hello to all, I was a little intrigued to read 'David of Aberdeen' mention the Gordon Boyce book, and would very much like to have a private conversation on that subject, especially since I am mentioned in it! Rgds,Rob
Robbiem1
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Hi Rob, I’m not sure I can add too much more on the Gordon Asher Boyce book. I got some snippets of info on early Boyce from Tullylish/Knocknamuckley parish records from a fellow Boyce descendant/researcher in New Zealand. She descends from William Boyce (c1818-1967), born Ballydugan, and Jane Patton through their son, Greenaway Wellington Boyce. She and I are a DNA match leading us to believe that her William and my John Boyce were related, possibly brothers. Regards, David
killieroots
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Hi David, and thanks for responding. I too am a descendant(via Walker B), although that is not the main reason why I am making this enquiry.I happen to know a Boyce named descendant who is embarking on a Boyce family research project.I know he would be very interested in talking more directly to you.Would you be good enough to contact me directly. rob(underscore)myers5(at)bigpond(dot)com.I too have done the DNA thing so although we might be a little distant, I wondered on which platform your details might be found?RgdsRob
Robbiem1
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I've pinged you an email Rob.
killieroots
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I've pinged you an email Rob.
killieroots
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Hi all; fascinated to read this as my aunt and grandmother worked with Gordon Boyce on the book and I met him in Belfast when he came to visit them. My aunt is still around, though frail, but is a font of knowledge on all things genealogical.
NPB
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Hello NPB, and hope you keeping well.
So you would be a Nephew of Lily and grandson of Anne (or vv)?
Great to hear from you..
Well, where to start.!
Gordon's work is such an important document in this area.
Feel free to contact me directly (email adess above) and I will bring you into the loop.
'Team Boyce' now comprises 5 Boyce kin.
Best wishes,
Rob
Robbiem1