Hello, this is my first post.My second great grandfather was John Weir born in about 1831, Derrycaw, Tartaraghan Parish, Co Armagh.
He is listed in the Griffiths land valuation.
It says R.S.Obre was the Immediate Lessor. Only 4 acres.
My second great grandmother, John Weir's wife, was Mary or Ann Duke. They married 11 November,1852 at Kilmore, Co Armagh. Her father was William Duke according to the marriage registration.I think they were Catholic.
I would love to know more.
I have an ancestry account and have had DNA tested.
Their son, Thomas Weir b.1870, was a came to America in the s via Halifax, NS. Married Emmeline Holt in Massachusetts where they settled.
My cousin found a military record for Thomas who served in the Royal Irish Fusilliers 87 regiment for 13 years, 1888-1901.He served a limited time in South Africa in the Boer war.
Thank you for all you do to help us know our roots
Jane
Serenityjane
Wednesday 30th Dec 2020, 05:18PMMessage Board Replies
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Jane,
Here’s a link to the 1852 marriage. You mention that you think the Weir family were Catholic. That’s possible but this marriage was in the Church of Ireland (ie Anglican), and I think that was probably the family’s denomination. Bride’s name was Ann Duke (not Mary). Fathers names are given too, but not the mothers.
Tradition was to marry in the bride’s church and the inference is that she at least was Church of Ireland. That church has records starting in 1789 so it should be possible to search for her baptism etc in them. I’d also search for John’s as he may have been born in that parish too.
Bride & Groom were both living in Ballintaggart at the time of their marriage. So though you have found John in Derrycaw later, it doesn’t appear he had always lived there. (Irish marriage certificates don’t record where someone was born, just where they were living when they married).
Here’s a link to Thomas William Weir’s birth on 2nd Jan 1870 at Derrycaw:
Mother’s name was recorded as Ann.
Daughter Mary Margaret Weir born at Derrycaw in 1874:
Son Joseph in 1877:
Additional children:
Richard 12.3.1864
George 10.2.1866
Hannah 28.10.1867
Henry (registered as Wier) 6th Jan 1872
Birth registration only started in 1864. However there are some trees on Ancestry which list extra children, pre birth registration:
John 1857
Eliza Ann 1862
You would need to check church baptism records to confirm those births. Probably Milltown church, parish of Tartaraghan. There’s a copy held in PRONI (the public record office) in Belfast.
Hannah married William Smith in 1890. Note that she married in Milltown Church of Ireland, again indicating the family denomination (at that period anyway):
https://civilrecords.irishgenealogy.ie/churchrecords/images/marriage_re…
John Weir died in 1900 at Derrycaw:
Ann Weir died in 1884 at Derrycaw:
All the children appear to have emigrated to the USA pre 1900, according to the trees on Ancestry.
John Weir’s home in Derrycaw is on the modern Derrycaw Lane, off the Birches Rd near Junction 12 on the M1 motorway. The house appears to be gone (judging by Google Earth) and the land given over to a plantation of trees. Drive to the far end of the lane and then you may need sturdy footwear to get to the exact site.
Elwyn, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
Wednesday 30th Dec 2020, 07:27PM -
Incredible! So many records I didn't have or even know how to find! How can I ever thank you, Elwyn! This is wonderful!
Serenityjane
Wednesday 30th Dec 2020, 08:24PM -
I am reading about the R.S.Obre who leased the land to my family. A search angel suggested I could look in Obre's land records to see whether my Weirs were his tenants in earlier generations. I have a clue in the 1920 Massachsetts census that John Weir's father was born in Scotland.
I also read a bit about the Encumbered Estates Court and found R.S. and Edward Obre sold off many parcels in Tartaraghan. After the famine when tenants couldn't pay their rent the landlords were allowed to sell off the lands. Where could I find records pertaining to the Derrycaw lane property?Serenityjane
Monday 4th Jan 2021, 07:33PM