GGG Grandma Anne Heathwood

Deb,

Looking at the Valuation revision records for Ballynaleck (on the PRONI site), I see that after Robert’s death the farm passed to William John Wood, as did Samuel Heathwood’s farm (plot 5) and Samuel’s extra land (plot 21). Samuel died in 1865 aged 82.

The Will of Samuel Heathwood late of Ballynaleck County Armagh Farmer deceased who died 11 October 1865 at same place was proved at Armagh by the oath of William John Wood of Ballynaleck (Poyntzpass) aforesaid Farmer one of the Executors.

The will is on-line and names Robert as his brother. There is also mention of needing to sue him for recovery of a debt! William John Wood appears to have been married to Samuel’s daughter Sarah Heathwood. So explaining why he was an executor and inherited the 2 farms.

Two possibilities occur to me. First is that Anne pre-deceased Robert and the marital status on the death certificate is wrong. (I have known that to happen before). However if still alive, might she have gone to live with relatives outside Ireland perhaps?

If the family was Church of Ireland, then they have burial records which start in 1783 (parish of Ballymore). You could check them (in PRONI) to see if there’s a burial for Anne, pre 1864.

Hello Elwyn and Thank you so much for that information. I am really having trouble in understanding this family in regards to Registration districts, place names, family connections etc. as I only really started researching them about 2 years ago. This is my Dad's mother's side of the family of which he knew nothing about as most of his family are of Danish ancestry so he was very excited to know of his Irish connections. As I mentioned, most of my 3x Great Grandparents Robert and Ann (nee Aston) Heathwoods children, emigrated to Australia but even with their family tree's apart from 'Ann Astons' name being carried down through many of the families, no-one has recorded what happened to her. So, you mention that PRONI could possibly hold Church of Ireland records for the Parish of Ballymore, which may have a death record for Grandma Ann but how to I obtain that when I'm from Australia. I have no-one in our close family who lives in this area, and nor Larne, Antrim whereby all my Mother's family came from who could visit PRONI on my behalf... and I have investigated a researcher who was going to charge me a very high fee. What can I do, as I'm out of answers.

Cheers Deb, Australia 

Deb,

If you are unable to go to PRONI yourself, your options are a bit limited. Either pay a researcher, pay PRONI (if they’ll accept the commission - and they are not cheap) or write to the individual church(es). With the Church of Ireland they have a published set of charges. If the Rector/Vicar agrees to look for the records I think it’s about £20 an hour.  But they are not obliged to search for you, and may just refer you to PRONI. (Many churches in Ireland are flooded with genealogical requests. Some respond, some do not.  A common observation is that their first priority is to their living parishioners, not the dead ones. Not very helpful for you but it’s probably useful to know in order to manage your expectations).

The bottom line is that if you want these records, you will likely have to pay. If you were unhappy with the price you were quoted by one researcher, try others. Researchers in the PRONI area: http://sgni.net