RootsChat.Com
Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Antrim => Topic started by: Volvic on Wednesday 03 October 07 21:01 BST (UK)
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Would anyone during their research have come upon my gg-grandfather, James Alexander Russell, in the Ballymena area.
I found his marriage to Eliza Jane Barr - 12th Nov 1853, in West Church, Presbyterian, Ballymena. It says both were from Ballymena, and that James Alexander's father was William Russell - a farmer. It also states that James was a lapper.
Then in 1st Ballymena Presbyterian Church I found 8 children born to James Alexander and Eliza Jane. The first born in Nov 1854 was my g-grandfather William Alexander Russell.
In Griffiths Valuation it gives James A Russell in Church Street, Ballymena, but in the Revisions it gives him as having moved in 1870.
I have no idea where my ggg-grandfather William lived or anything about him, where James Alexander was born or moved to after 1870. Any help with this would be really appreciated.
Brian.
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My g.great grandparents were also married in West Street Presbyterian, Ballymena and gave their addresses as Ballymena. BUT the groom's family were from Tullymore Townland in Racavan Parish and the bride's from Ballymuckvea in Conor Parish.
In Griffiths Valuation for Racavan there are two William Russels, one in Rathkeel Townland and one in Lisnamurrikan.
Have a look at our wee website
http://andersons.rootschat.net
and you will see a map of the area. If you can't see the townlands on it, send me a PM. RosemaryJoan
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No, the Townlands aren't on the website map. I will scan my map and let you have it if you send me a PM. Have a look at the website though. RosemaryJoan
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Not quite sure if you are also asking about the occupation 'lapper'. If you already know, then perhaps the following will be of help to others:
It comes from the textile industry. It was someone who did various jobs around the machine such as cutting and removing waste yarn that had become entangled. A good description can be found at this link (http://www.occupationalinfo.org/68/689687090.html).
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Hi Rosemary Joan and Scotmum,
Thanks Scotmum for that interesting description, I had not been able to find out what a lapper did so that is a great help. My great-grandfather William Alexander Russell was also a linen lapper.
Thanks to you also Rosemary Joan for your kind help. It is interesting to know that your relations gave Ballymena yet not actually living there. It is very good of you to offer to send me the map, I will send you a PM shortly.
Best wishes,
Brian.
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This new feature might be of interest:
http://family.kiwicelts.com/Maps/Ulster_Map.html
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Thank you very much Aghadowey, excellent site, that will be a great help.
Brian.
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This new feature might be of interest:
http://family.kiwicelts.com/Maps/Ulster_Map.html
Did this site send anyone else's computer haywire?
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Yes, it freezes my computer and I have to shut down. Won't go back to it. RosemaryJoan
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Had that problem with another site a while ago but don't know what is causing this problem. Tried it again and had no bother.
P.S.:
Found the way I got into the site originally:
http://kiwicelts.com and then click Ulster Parish Maps
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I think we need to have quite a sophisticated computer to cope with the maps. However, I have 'The New Genealogical Atlas of Ireland' which maps Parishes for every County. Willing to share. Townlands are more difficult but local libraries(local studies depts.) will photocopy these maps from their 'big book'. RosemaryJoan
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James L. Russell (I think) is still a solicitors firm in Ballymena.
Russell is a relatively unusual second name in this area.
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A quick visit to www.192.com and typing in Russell, Ballymena will throw up a few results, including that mentioned by Des in the post above.
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Thank you very much Blackadder and Scotmum for your help.
In the 192 site I noticed some from Ballymena with Alexander as a middle name. As I mentioned before Alexander is a name often used in my family.
gg- grandfather - James Alexander Russell
g - grandfather - William Alexander Russell
grandfather - John Alexander Russell
father - John Robert Alexander Russell
I wonder who Alexander was.
Best wishes,
Brian.
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I wonder who Alexander was.
The middle name of Alexander could have come from a surname rather than a Christian name. Perhaps someone in the family married a woman named Alexander.
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Hi Aghadowey,
You are quite right. My ggg-grandfather was called William (at least that's the only name given to him in his son, James Alexander's, marriage entry). Perhaps William Russell was married to a girl called Alexander. Looking through records one day I came upon a name I had never heard before - Alexander Alexander.
Best wishes,
Brian.