My name is Frances Pikok nee Russell. I have always been told that my Russell line was Irish, but not until recently have I found out where to start my research. I am an Mmerican Russell descendant and I am looking for my Irish Russell cousins. My 4th great grandfather Reubin Russell b. 1810-1821 in SC married Beulah Rachel Bayless. Reubin is in the son of Thomas Russell. During my recent research I found out that the Russell's were from Co. Down and they came to America through PA- Virginia- New York and South Carolina. I would love to hear from any Russells from Ireland, to see if we can connect our families together.
Thanks
Frances Pikok
fpikok@gci.net
Po Box 1467
Barrow, Alaska 99723
USA

Hello my name is Patricia McGregor,
My great grandfather Charles Evers BELL was born about 1830 in Downpatrick, he, along with his parents Robert and Mary BELL and siblings Margaret and John moved to Prince Edward Island. I am unsure of the date but I found an article in a local Prince Edward Island paper which read "Ann Bell mother of Robert Bell died in Saintfield 21 December 1855" so it was obviously before that. I am hoping that there are still relatives of the Bell's living in Saintfield.
From Prince Edward Island Charles Evers Bell sailed on the "Pakeha" to New Zealand in about 1867. He settled and firstly married Amelia Hunt who died in childbirth in 1869. Charles married Bessie Douglas Haszard in 1878 and they had 5 children. He died 25 Sept. 1893 in Hamilton, New Zealand. I would dearly love to make contact with relatives of this family.
My contact is riverpalms@xtra.co.nz
Many thanks
Pat


Congratulations to Gerard and Cathy Boyd, from Edendarriff, on the birth of their baby girl Ruby.

I am looking for my family’s roots in Ireland. My great great grandfather was Robert Dunn who married Sarah Hawthorne in Tullylish Presbyterian Church- Civiltown
in Drumnascamph townland north of the main road between Banbridge & Gilford on 24th December, 1851. I would dearly like to know more about the Hawthorne and Dunn families and when they came to Ireland – I understood they travelled there from Scotland and years later Robert became the first settler in Harrisville, Queensland, Australia in around 1855. Some of the family went to Canada.
Please contact me at pdjeffs@bigpond.com – and if you are interested I could share the family in Australia’s history.
Many thanks,
Di Jeffs.


Having recently found out my father's side of the family originated in Co Down, Cloghy, to be exact.  I am hoping someone may know if  our name is still in the area.  James, my great-grandfather magically appears in West Derby in 1877 to marry Mary Jane Smedley.  In 1873 he is Master of the "Vision" with George (?brother) as mate, and both say their place of birth is Cloghy.  His father was William but I can only find one in Co Down, marrying Jane Waterson in 1855 (this would be 5 years after James' birth).  As the oldest cousin in the family now with  a new grand niece, I would like her to know where she came from when she is older, especially as the generations in between us have no knowledge or interest in the family tree.  Thank you to anyone who could offer help or suggestions. (I am in Argyll & Bute)
Pat Walker Pajonwalker@btinternet.com 


Hi, my name is Kevin, I was born in Solihull in the West Midlands, in 1970. I have a brother who is four years older than me. Since I was young I've dreamed of having a sister but due to complications my mother was unable to have any further children. Two years after my father passed away, my mother decided to tell my brother and I we had a half-sister in Northern Ireland. The only information I have is my father, who was a member of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was posted to Downpatrick and met a young girl in 1955/6, her name was Isobel. The family believes she may have visited my grandparents in Birmingham as my father was very keen in marrying her. Unfortunately this did not happen even although Isobel fell preganant. My aunt expressed her interest in adopting the baby. We understand that due to the different religions this was not an option and the baby girl was registered for adoption in Ireland in the summer of 1956.
Even although my brother and I were never told, looking back on various conversations in relation to family history and my wife being of celtic origin, I realise my father was full of regret that he could not be a part of his daughter's life. My brother's children are boys and when my wife gave birth to our first child and my father was told he had a granddaughter he was very excited and when he held her he was full of emotion as it was obviously like holding the daughter he never knew. My father was just as emotional when he held his second granddaughter and thoughts went back again to his own flesh and blood in Ireland. Over the years my father made a number of comments with regard to his life in Ireland and looking back they now begin to make sense.
This year Isobel's daughter would be 53 years old and we believe my father, Ronald Brayson, name appears on her birth certificate.
My dream now is to find my sister, meet with her and hope she has had a happy and good life. If anyone can help with any information about this family please contact me via e-mail.
Thank you.
Kevin Brayson
kevfeb@blueyonder.co.uk


Hello There
I am in Australia and Im trying to trace my GGG Grandfather. His name was John STARKEY (sometimes called Jack) Born around 1810. I have it that he is from either Ardglass, County Down, or County Clare, or Downpatrick. On my GG granfather's death certificate it say John Starkey was from Arglass, Down.

Is there a possibility that you could assist me in my search for him? His family just seems to have dropped off the face of the earth prior to him and I can't find out anything about him whether he had brothers & sisters, who was his mother & father etc. Or perhaps you could put me in touch with via email someone who could research the family from over there?
Thank you
Leona STARKEY
Perth, Western Australia.
arose4u23@yahoo.com.au


I have been trying since the year 2000 in both Northern Ireland and Scotland to find out some information about my grandparents - without much success - mayby some family may remember the names as I know the Macks and Savages still live in and around Ballynahinch.
My grandfather was David Savage born November, 1878 in Magheradroll and his father was James Savage, farmer of Magheradroll. David Savage was the Sexton at the Edengrove Church until his death on the 6th February, 1931 at the Down Infirmary from Cancer.
My gradmother was Jeanie Elizabeth Mack and she died on 6th May, 1934 at Ballynahinch, aged 51, on her death certificate her name was put down as Elizabeth Jane Mack. I believe her date of birth was 10th January, 1883.
David Savage and Jeanie Mack were married at the Ballynahinch 2nd Presbyterian, Down Magheradrool by Licence Rev. R. G. Milling, the groom's witness was Rawland Cleland and the bride' witness Mary Patterson. The wedding took place on the 3rd December, 1901. Jeanie Elizabeth Mack does not have a father name on the marriage certificate and she comes from Balymacarn.
They had 4 children all born in Scotland, but went to school in Ballynahinch, David Mack Savage; Sarah Dorothea Savage; Jeanie Elizabeth Savage (my mother) and Samuel Mack Savage.
David Savage and Jeanie Mack are buried at the Edengrove Church, Ballynahinch. The grave just has the name "MACK" on the headstone.
Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.
belle@integrity.net.au



Can you help? I am searching for my great-great grandparents Patience Hanna and James Arnold, married on July 7, 1834 in the parish of Donaghcloney. When and where are they buried? Great for any information. devisv01@student.uwa.edu.au

I am looking for information on my great-grandfather John Hamilton who lived in Hillsborough, he was a pork cutter and lived in Park Street (born 1857).
He had five children the youngest my grandmother, Agnes Elizabeth. He had a daughter Sarah Jane and a son Samuel, who died in 1916.
I have been unable to find out who his other two children were (both daughters who I am led to believe moved to the States).
I believe his wife was called Margaret Anne but don't know her maiden name. The story goes that she died in the early 1900s from a heart attack.
Any information would be very gratefully received along with any photos of Hillsborough.
My contact details are carole_morton@hotmail.com
Many thanks and a big hello to Hillsborough.


Would anyone know of any living relatives of the Maxwell family from Corrog, Co Down. I would love to be able to swap info. My ancestors were James Maxwell and Elizabeth McGiffert. sons Thomas William (Australia) Samuel (Australia). Thank you, Gavin Maxwell themaxwells@aapt.net.au


I am seeking any information on the Rooney family that lived at 14 Plantation Street in Killyleagh. My grandmother, Annie Rooney's family lived there. Her father was called Patrick and some of her siblings were called, Phyllis, Dominic, Bridget and Brendan.I am doing my family tree and have very little information on that side of the family. If anyone has any information they can contact me at deborahking56@yahoo.co.uk.


I’m looking for an old friend of mine, Mr. Eamonn McNamara and he lives in Newcastle, Co. Down. I’m an old friend of his and I’m just trying to get in contact with him. If he or someone who knows him could please reply to this newspaper with a phone number it would be great. My name is Tony, from New York. Thanks a lot for you help.



I am seeking information about the background of my Great Great Grandfather George Augustus De Winter (1814-1885) and his wife, Catherine Veitch de Winter (ca 1817-1907). I am in York, Western Australia, and have no way of personally going and researching archives in Ireland for this information. I have searched the Net and various genealogical websites on this, but have got nowhere.

The children of George and Catherine were: John (1831-1907); Elizabeth Catherine (1832 - ?); Rebecca (or Rebekah) (1834-1916); Emily Agnes (1840-1900); Louisa Maria (1842- ?); George (1844-1847); Robert William Nassau (1851-1885) de Winter.

Another family member has likewise tried contacts, and we have found a newspaper article from "The Armagh Guardian" of September 16, 1845 http://www.irelandoldnews.com/Armagh/1845/18450916.html which records the following:

GRANGE SUNDAY SCHOOL—ANNUAL SOIREE.— On Friday evening, 12th instant, the members of the above Sunday School, with about 250 respectable inhabitants of the neighbourhood, held their annual soiree. After they had partaken of “ the cup which cheers but not inebriates,” JOHN WALKER REDMOND, Esq., of Grange, was moved to the chair, when addresses on the beneficial effects of Sunday Schools, &c., were delivered by Messrs. A. HEWITT and GEORGE DE WINTER. At intervals the choir sung appropriate anthems, and the company separated at an early hour, delighted with the evening’s entertainment.

I was unable to find archived material on your website, but a helpful contact in Northern Ireland Libraries sent my relative a scanned copy of an article from the Down Recorder of February 7, 1863. It reads thus:

SOIREE AT DUNDRUM. — On Thursday evening a soiree was held in Dundrum, in connexion with the schools conducted by Mr. G.A. de Winter and Miss de Winter. The room was very tastefully decorated with garlands and evergreens, and a handsome chandelier depending from the ceiling, which was also adorned with artificial wreaths, shed a brilliant light through the apartment.
The spacious room was filled by a highly respectable company, which included also many of the more advanced of the young people attending the schools, and the presence of a great many ladies contributed to enliven the aspect of the meeting.—There was also present an effective choir composed chiefly of juvenile ladies, Miss de Winter presiding at the harmonium. After tea, on the motion of Mr. de Winter, James Young, Esq., was called to the chair, who, in the course of some welll-shosen observations, said it afforded him much satisfaction as a parent to say how sincerely he felt impressed with the success with which Mr. de Winter had conducted the schools; the choir which had been discoursing “a concord of sweet sound” for their improvement, was an evidence in point, and Lord Downshire, who was the patron of the schools, he considered had shown both liberality and generosity in placing Mr. de Winter and Miss de Winter within their community. He then called on mr. Blackwood, who delivered an address, the subject of which was, “Poetry as disclosed in visible creation,” and for which he was rewarded by a vote of thanks from the meeting. Mr. de Winter also delivered an effective address on “The social relations of man towards his fellow-man,” which was received with hearty plaudits. After a vote of thanks to the ladies, Adam Agar, Esq., was called to the second chair, when a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the former chairman. The choir having sung “God Save the Queen,” the proceedings terminated.—Correspondent.

According to Griffiths Primary Valuation of Ireland 1848-1864, George owned land at Dundrum in Kilmegan Parish. We think he may have moved away from there due to his wife's health. They went on to Delgany, Co. Wicklow.

We are not sure where George was born; it might possibly have been in Grange. Co. Armagh. He lived there in 1845. He was a writing clerk of Randalstown, Antrim, in 1854 and a clerk in May 1855, when his daughter Rebecca was married in Belfast. He was Headmaster of Downpatrick Parochial School Belfast in 1861 (his daughter Miss de Winter was mistress), and Head of Downshire School at Dundrum, Kilmegan, Down in 1863. He was appointed to this position by the Marquess of Downshire, who founded a large number of schools.

So there is this much we know of him for sure, but we can find no proof of his ancestry. My grandfather's generation believed he was descended from Jan Willem de Winter, the Dutch Admiral who lost to Britain at the Battle of Camperdown and was briefly held in Britain before repatriation to France under Napoleon. Jan Willem who was born in 1750 according to British sources but on 23 March 1761 according to Dutch sources, died in Paris in 1812, and was buried in the Panthéon in Paris under the name Jean-Guillaume de Winter, Comte de Huessen. If the birth date of George Augustus de Winter was 1814 (or 1815) Jan Willem could not have been his father. He might have been his Uncle (quite possible no matter whether his birthdate was 1750 or 1761), but could only have been his grandfather if born in 1750.

Catherine Veitch came from Co. Cavan, and is said to have been an "annuitant", and related to Lindsays, Lawrence and Humphrys of Ballyhaise, Co. Cavan. Her father was said to be a "Lt. Colonel" Veitch, but he could have simply been "Lt" Veitch. Her great grandfather (hence her mother's father) was said to be a Col. John Irvine of Irvinestown.

This Messageboard request is made with the idea that when George Augustus de Winter and Catherine Veitch de Winter moved to Down and he was appointed to run schools, there might have been an article in your paper which referred to their background — since this would have been a prominent position in the town at that time. On the other hand, there may be descendants or their friends or in-laws who read your paper, or others with an interest in Genealogy who might read this Message. I would be extremely gratefull if some reader has any knowledge at all which might give me a lead.

The children of George Augustus de Winter and Catherine Veitch de Winter married as follows:

• John de Winter married Sarah Swan on 16 May 1854, and John served with the military in Cawnpore, India. While they were there the 2 sons died of fever, but 3 girls remained. So far as I know, they all returned to Woolwich, London, where John was on the training staff at the military academy. I don't know whom their daughters married, if anyone.

• Elizabeth Catherine de Winter may have married a Sterret, possibly a William, apparently after 1866. Whether or not she married, she is referred to in her father's will as living at Killincarrig, Co Wicklow.

• Rebecca de Winter my Great-Grandmother (also spelt Rebekah somewhere) had married John Lindsay Johnstone, a widower, at St. Anne's Belfast in 1855. John Lindsay and Rebecca lived in Co. Down in Purdysburn, Ballycowan Townland, Drumbo Parish, and at least Mary Louisa (1856) and Emily (also known as Amelia -- 1858 ) were born. Henrietta (1859) may or may not have been born there. John Lindsay Johnston was a teacher there, and Rebecca had been a teacher. Three of their children came to Australia, and none of the remainder seem to have settled in Co. Down.

• Emily Augusta de Winter was married by 1861 to David Patterson Skilling/Skillen, who was Master of Erasmus Smith's School in Comber. Emily August was mistress of the Infant School, Downpatrick Street, Comber in 1861. Their children Louisa, Emily Catherine and Clara Elizabeth Alexandrina were all born at Comber. I don't know whom they married, or where they lived as adults.

• Louisa Maria de Winter married John Glass in 1863, at Comber, Co. Down. The Glass family were in the linen industry in Belfast, and well off.

• Child George died aged 3 in 1847, before the family went to Down.

• Robert William Nassau de Winter married a Maria Wilkinson in 1876 in Navan, Meath, and when she died in childbirth in 1877 the daughter, Maria Kate de Winter was brought up by George Augustus and Catherine de Winter after her father died when she was 7. Maria Kate married a Dr. Robert Shaw Wayland b. 1856 in Dublin. One of Kate's daughters married a Wallace and came to Australia, another married a Smith and moved to Tenbury Wells, Worcester, UK. There was a son, Robert Wayland, but where he lived I do not know.


Liz Christmas,
PO Box 643,
YORK WA 6302,
AUSTRALIA
lizchristmas@westnet.com.au