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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Derry (Londonderry) => Topic started by: morewind on Saturday 30 August 08 06:00 BST (UK)
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Hello
I am new to this Board. I hope someone can assist in breaking down a brick wall with my ancestor Abraham. I believe he came from the area around Kilrea and was born around 1795. He married Mary Armstrong and is buried in the Kilrea C of I Church, having died in either 1842 or 1847.
Many of his family emigrated to Australia.
Close by there is a grave of Thomas McNeill, whose descendants are also in Australia, but I cannot find out what their relationship was.
I am also seeking information on the Sloan family whose daughter Esther emigrated to Australia where she married Abraham's son John. Her parents were Thomas Sloan and Margaret Irwin.
I would be most grateful for any information on any of these families.
Thank you
Rosie
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Welcome to Rootschat.
Is this where you got the gravestone details from?:
www.torrens.org.uk/Genealogy/BannValley/church/KilreaCOI/Graves.html
Many Presbyterians were buried in Church of Ireland ground so the family might not have been Church of Ireland.
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Thanks for your prompt reply!
Yes, I am aware of that - it is just so difficult to find anything else about this branch of the family!
I found one site but foolishly didn't record it that said there were two Abrahams, father and son, and that one was 6Ft 7 in tall! Haven't been able to find it since!
Look forward to any small miracles!
All the best
Rosie
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All the surnames you've listed are very common around Kilrea.
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From what I have been able to discover so far, the McNeills were at Eden around 1845 and Mary (Armstrong) McNeill had moved to Moynock by the 1850s.
Their son James (b ca 1828) emigrated to Australia in 1849, Abraham had died and mary was living in Lislea.
John (b ca 1829)and Thomas (b ca 1834) emigrated in 1853 and Mary was then living at Moynock. Eliza (b ca 1831) migrated the same year.
Joseph (b ca 1834)went to Australia in 1854 with Archibald( b ca 1836)
Margaret (b ca 1827) came to Australia in 1855 with her cousins Esther and James Sloan. They left Ireland soon after Mary (Armstrong) McNeill's death.
Esther and James parents Thomas Sloan and Margaret Irwin were married in 1826 Margaret was the daughter of robert Irwin and Martha (Macgregor)? of Lisnagrot. Thomas, a farmer, was noted on their marriage as a seceder and may have come from Moneygran. I believe they had 4 children, Robert, Esther, James and THomas.
Robert Sloan married Ellen Irwin, daughter of Joseph Irwin and Rachel Burnside in 1852. James married Briget Long in Sydney.
I haven't been able to identify the relationship between Thomas McNeill and Abraham, although I have been in touch with Thomas' descendants in Australia.
That's about all I have, although of course I have details ofnthe Australian connection in later generations.
Any assistance would be great.
I understand some of Thomas McNeill's relations still live in the area.
Regards
Rosie
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You might already have these details-
Children of Robert Sloan ad Ellen Irwin:
1. Martha Jane c1857
2. Robert c1859
3. Ellen 1867 (IGI)
4. Elizabeth 1870 (IGI)
5. John 1871 (IGI)
6. Catherine STEWART 1874 (IGI)
The first 2 children are from 1st Kilrea records on Bann Valey site (not always accurate) and others from IGI. Last child is listed as Catherine Stewart (with Stewart as surname which I can't figure out).
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Thank you so much for your help. I understand that Robert and Ellen had in all 11 children, several of whom ended up at Charters Towers in Queensland - I obtained this information recently from family members on the Genes Reunited site.
It appears these families often intermarried with the Burnside and Snipe families from the same area, with "family" names running through them.
The inclusion of Stewart in Catherine's name is interesting - there are lots of Stewarts in the Boggs line, but I was not aware of any in this branch.
Another of life's little mysteries, just begging to be solved!
Kind regards
Rosie
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Some Snipes became Knipes and then some of them became Knights so there's a few more surnames to keep an eye out for.
IGI lists Catherine as Catherine STEWART not Sloan but parents listed as Robert Sloan and Ellen Irwin but perhaps it is Catherine Stewart SLOAN.
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Hello - My great great grandfather was Sloan Bolton. His mother was Letitia (Peggy) nee Sloan. Kilrea folk. Are they in your tree? Thanks and regards - Dinny.
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The only Sloan Bolton I have in my tree married Nancy Pollock who was born in 1937. Nancy was the daughter of Thomas James Pollock and Sarah Rowe
Do you have any other details?
Thanks
Rosie
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There have been several Sloan Boltons in Kilrea area over the years. This might be the one Dinny mentioned:
Sloan BOLTON born c1819 son of William BOLTON + Peggy SLOAN (dau. of William SLOAN). Sloan BOLTON married Mary Anne McIlwrath and had family.
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Hello Rosie, Thank you for your reply.
There is a Sloan Bolton b. c.1940 but I have no knowledge of a wife for him. My source may not have had knowledge of a wife. Is this your man? There are Sloans, Armstrongs, Rowes, Irwins, Stewarts in my knowledge but no McNeils nor Pollocks. Do you have no earlier knowledge of your Sloan? What about his parents’ Christian name – this may help me identify him if he is in my lot. Aghadowey was correct in the advice given to you – there are a number of Sloan Boltons and those whose first two Christian names are Sloan Bolton…..
You do not say whether Co Derry is the source or death place of your Sloan Bolton whose wife was b. in 1937. I see you are in Australia – my g.grandmother’s brother immigrated to Australia from Kilrea. Their father was another Sloan Bolton.
I have noticed there was a great deal of intermarriage between the people of Kilrea, Co Derry and surrounding areas. The same connections continued amongst those who immigrated. A lot of folk were connected to the Boltons.
You do not disclose your connection to your Sloan Bolton.
Regards – Dinny.
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Thanks for your response Dinny. Unfortunately I don't have a lot on Sloan Bolton. All I know is that he married Nancy Pollock, daughter of Thomas Pollock(b1909) who was the son of Robert Pollock (b 1865), son of Smyth Pollock (b1828) son of Robert Pollock (b 1778). At least that is according to the information I have collected so far. I tend to believe there must be a generation between the last 2!. They are my husband's line and emigrated to Australia around the 1850/60s. They appear to based around Drumoolish, Tamlaght O'Crilly
My interest in the Sloans comes from Thomas Sloan (b 1800) who married Margaret Irwin (1806) whose daughter Esther is my GG Grandmother. I think Thomas came from Moneygran. Esther married John McNeill, son of Abraham who is buried in the Kilrea Church of Ireland. There must be some link between the families as Lizzie Boggs, who came from Ireland in 1907 and married John Pollock ,stayed with the McNeill family in Sydney when she first arrived in Australia.
I have been in contact with other descendants of the McNeills who came to Australia, but we haven't been able to solve some of the problems - like what relation was Thomas McNeill to Abraham McNeill - their graves are adjacent in Kilrea church of Ireland.
I hope to come to Ireland next year, hopefully to find some answers, although I fear they may be lost in the mists of time!
Any assistance would be most welcome - it is kind of hard trying to sort all this out from OZ!
All the best
Rosie
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Dinny- to answer the question in your pm:
Peggy Sloan married William Bolton and their son Sloan Bolton was born c1819 so Peggy Sloan was probably born c1800 or earlier.
Robert Sloan married 1852 to Ellen Irwin so it not likely that Peggy Sloan and Robert Sloan were siblings.
Robert Sloan's marriage certificate should list his father's name and occupation. There will be no marriage certificate for Peggy Sloan and if there is a church record still in existence it might not list her father's name (usually marriages in early 1800s listed names of bride and groom, date of marriage and sometimes the names of two witnesses).
Sloan is a common name in Kilrea area.
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Hello Rosie – Thanks for your reply. I am a Kiwi.
Over the course of the next couple of weeks I am sending off some info. to an Irish Bolton contact. I will make some enquries at that time re. the Sloan b. c. 1940 who has a connection to both the contact and myself. Other info I have on this Sloan does not mention a spouse or any other personal info. I shall get back to you. Regards – Dinny.
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Hello Aghadowey – Thank you for your reply re. Peggy Sloan. I notice on various sites on Sloans in the US (with origins Co. Derry) there seems to be a number of Letitia Sloans – not the same one of course – but it does make me wonder if Letitia and Sloan were a common combination related to one particular line of Sloans from Derry. Been nice talking to you. Regards – Dinny.
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Hi Dinny.
I've just joined RootsChat so I've only just found your message. Have a look here on my family tree website - http://www.dunblanewilsons.org/wilsonfamilytree/719.htm
My maternal grandmother was a Bolton. She was sister to a Sloan Bolton who emigrated to Australia. He was portrayed in the Australian film "The Lighthorseman" where his nickname was "Scotty" Bolton.
Hope this helps.
Chris
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Dinny,
Thanks for the personal message - I will reply to that.
Chris
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I dont know if there is still interest in this thread as I notice it was from last year, but I am a descendant of Thomas Sloan and Margaret Irwin. My great great grandfather was Robert Sloan who was a son of Thomas and Margaret. I dont know a lot about the family but would certainly welcome contact from anyone who shares an interest in this family. The person who helped me with what I know, may know more about Esther's family.
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Yes, I am still very interested in finding out more about this family!
I think we may have been in touch on another site, (Genes Reunited?) but I would love any further information you may be able to source and of course am happy to share anything I have.
Have you been able to find any information re the forebears of Thomas? Or of Margaret's parents Robert Irwin and Martha McGregor?
Are you located in Australia?
I live near Tamworth NSW.
All the best
Rosie
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lol Yes, after posting my message last night I did check it out then realised who you were.
I dont have any more information and havent heard from Pauline for a long time. I am in contact with a "cousin" on the Piercy side though. Her great grandmother was Mary Ann (who married Robert Sloan) her younger sister.
Bron
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That's interesting, Bron!
Was she able to shed any light on Robert's family?
Great to catch up - worked out that we are 4th cousins!
All the best
Rosie
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Not on the Sloan side, but found out a lot about Mary Ann. They had been looking for her for about 20 years. All her brothers went to the USA and all the sisters stayed in Northumberland.
They knew she had come to Australia, but didn't know any more except that she went back home once and was supposed to stay 6 weeks but only stayed one because of the cold.
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Hello Chris - Thanks for your message. My background is through Sloan and Letitia, via Margaret Maria and Thomas.
I shall reply via email as per your instructions with a bit of info and the odd question or two. Regards - Dinny.
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Hi
I believe that I am from the same Sloan family. My father was Robert Sloan born at Moneygran in 1908, died 1983. His father was Thomas Sloan born 1867, died 1938. Thomas Sloan apparently had several siblings who settled in Australia. Both my father and grandfather are burried in the C of I graveyard in Kilrea.
I know very little of the family history but remember my father saying that Sloan Bolton was not related.
My father had cousins ( I dont know if they were 1st or 2nd) who were Burnsides and Irwins of Moynock, Kilrea. Also 1st cousins - Armstrongs of Moneygran.
Robert Sloan, my brother now lives at Moneygran.
Hope this may be of some interest
Freda
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Freda
Was your father's mother Annie Gresham who married Thomas Sloan in 1st Kilrea Presbyterian in 1904? I know her sister Martha was married to a John Armstrong. Once you have made 2 more replies I will be able to send you a personal message with all the details I hold on this family without posting it on the public forum. I am related to Annie and Martha through my great grandmother.
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Hi
Yes my grndmother was Annie Gresham Who married Thomas Sloan.
All I know is that she died in 1953 aged 70 years.
Thanks for the reply, I look forward to finding out more !
Freda
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Hi Freda
I have a Thomas Sloan b 1830 who was the brother of my GGG Grandmother Esther Sloan who came to Australia about 1855. Wondered whether he might be the father of your Thomas b 1867.
I am planning to visit the Bann valley area in the first week of April 2010 to further my research into my ancestors there and would greatly appreciate any opportunities to meet people who may be able to assist.
I have a fair bit of information on the descendants of the families in Australia which I am happy to share, and would be keen to find out any links between Thomas McNeill and Abraham McNeill who have adjoining plots in the Kilrea C of I graveyard. I know Thomas had lots of links to the Burnside and Snipe families whilst the Irwins are related through the Sloans. Also Abraham was married to Mary Armstrong.
Lots of Thomas McNeill's children also came to Australia and I have details/contacts for them. Unfortunately they have not been able to shed light on the relationship between Thomas and Abraham.
Hope someone might be able to assist in solving this conundrum!
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Hi Freda
Very interested in your family. Your Thomas Sloan born 1867 was the son of Robert Sloan married Ellen Irwin. Robert Sloan was the son of Thomas Sloan married Margaret Irwin. This ties all the Australian connections together.
Thomas Sloan & Margaret Irwin Children Robert, Thomas, Esther & James. (your connection Rosie)
Robert Sloan & Ellen Irwin children include Robert married Mary Ann Piercy ( your connection Bron)
My connection is the Irwins - Ellen Irwin was my grandmother's aunt. The Irwins, Sloans, Burnsides , McNeills & Snipes/Knipes were all neighbours at Moyknock & they intermarried a lot! Would love to hear more from you Freda.
Pauline
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Excellent!
Now another little snippit for you, Pauline.
Found a possible father for my Abraham which links in with thomas McNeill. dates and area match but as yet have not been able to confirm.
An Abraham McNeill married Elizabeth Burnside and they had children Abraham,Thomas, Elizabeth and Neilly, which might explain how thomas and Abraham come to be buried side by side.
Neilly went to the US and his family is well documented in the Irishtown area of Illinois. He married a Minerva Mills.
Haven't found anything yt about Elizabeth.
I understand notes on this family are on PAF CD 103, but haven't been able to check it all out yet.
Does any of this ring any bells for you?
I had a letter some years ago which I am trying to locate which referred to there being two Abrahams, father and son, one of whom was abnormally tall. Perhaps this might confirm this potential link.
all the best
Rosie
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I am most interested in these Irwin families, but I'm having trouble figuring out this Roots Chat and the message that come back to me...I wish I could get help from someone on how this forum works...
Barbara Lewis
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Hello Barbara
I'm not too good on how the forum work but am happy to gve info on the Irwins I am related to if that is a help?
My line comes from Robert Irwin (bca 1780 in Lisnagrot) who married Martha McGregor.
Their daughter Margaret b1806 married Thomas Sloan in Kilrea 1826. They also had sons Robert and John, I think.
Thomas and Margaret had a daughter Esther (b 1832) who marred John McNeill (after emigrating to Australia) in 1855.
I have more information on these various intersecting families if you are interested.
Rosie
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Rosie, thank you so much for your response...and this is the first one that I received that I could access......I need to get more info from you on the Irwins, but how do I write to you off this list..is there any way?
Barbara Lewis
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radnor 37,
You can contact any lister by clicking the little green scroll under their name and then sending them a personal message (PM). As long as you both have made at least three postings the system will work.
Regards
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Thank you so much for that helpful informtion......
Barbara
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Just looking at the names I assume these people are from the Kilrea area of Northern Ireland,
Also that Rosie in Australia has replied to you since I know that both of us are related to the Irwin families. Also POK who I have met up with on her last visit to Ireland.
Please note this is my first posting so I need two more before you can contact me.
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I am most interested in these Irwin families, but I'm having trouble figuring out this Roots Chat and the message that come back to me...I wish I could get help from someone on how this forum works...
Barbara Lewis
Barb,
I'm replying to this message at your request so we can figure out why you're having trouble!
Julie
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Hi I have not had any mail on this site for a long time and no reply from the person who was asking the original question. My name is irwin and i have family tree from the irwin family you were asking about. So do reply if you want some information regarding them. or you should Check on this Site http://www.torrens.org.uk/Genealogy/BannValley/index.html where there still is a lot of info including church records regarding folk from Kilrea.