RootsChat.Com
Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Antrim => Topic started by: nozman on Friday 12 March 10 03:46 GMT (UK)
-
Hi All
Could somebody help with names of towns situated 13 to 15 miles from Belfast in County Antrim?
It may give me some idea where my gr grandfather John Johnston came from. At the very least it will rule out a few.
Thanks
Nozman
-
Hi,
you may be asking for a lot of towns.
Have you tried looking at a map of Belfast and the surrounding area?
This will get you started:
http://www.multimap.com/
-
Thank you , yes its a bit like a needle in a haystack! I have no idea of the distances in the 1800's between towns and l am presuming today it is a lot different again with Belfast and towns being bigger. Thought it was worth a try.
If anyone has any other avenues l could try, all suggestions would be gratefully recieved.
-
Have you tried the PRONI Geographical Index?
http://www.proni.gov.uk/index/local_history/geographical_index.htm
-
Thanks again, will try PRONI.
-
might be worth having a look at the 1st edition OSI maps - these date from the 1820s/1840s, and are available online - see : Belfast Area (http://ims0.osiemaps.ie/website/publicviewer/main.aspx#V1,733164,874417,6) (the map starts off blank, click on the Historic or Historic bw option)
Shane
-
Thanks very much Shane, will check that site out as well!
-
Is there any particular reason 'approx. 13 miles from Belfast'? Unfortunately Johnston is an extremely common surname in Northern Ireland.
-
Hi
The 13 to 15 miles from Belfast is the only clue l have to finding out the townland that my gr grandfather lived before coming to Australia. And yes there are a lot of Johnston's, have been through the 1851 Census for Antrim and there is a James and Mary Johnston who lived at Montaighs Townland, but cannot find it on the map site. Any suggestions?
-
Only a small portion of 1851 census survives. Montiaghs in in Aghagallon Parish, Lurgan Poor Law Union. Searching for 'Montiaghs, Lurgan' in Google Maps shows it near Lurgan town (there is a Montiaghs Moss in the area).
-
Thank you Aghadowey. Montaighs looks more than 13 - 15 miles from Belfast. So possibly rule that family out. Trying to do a process of elimination! I realise that a lot of the census is missing but if l can find an area of possibility would be great.
There are some of John Johnston's decendants coming to Ireland to look into our family tree in May 2010. Trying to help them as their time will be limited. Is there any other avenue that l could try or is it just not possible being such a common name in Northern Ireland? And not knowing the townland they came from?
Thanks again
Noz
-
With the surname Johnston and no exact place to search I can't see that you'll be able to get be able to find more information from church records, etc.
-
Yes my thoughts also, but l have to try! Thank you so much for your help, will keep searching.