RootsChat.Com
Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Derry (Londonderry) => Topic started by: vbergmann on Thursday 31 March 05 21:46 BST (UK)
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Has anyone ever heard of the name Lowther or Lowthers connected to Londonderry? My ancestor Samuel Lowthers was apparently from there. I am not sure if it was Londonderry City or County though, so don't even know where to begin my search. Some of the family feel that the 's' on the end was added after he migrated to Canada sometime between 1838 - 1843. He had brothers Andrew, George, Edward and John.
Thanks,
VB
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You are probably right about the 's' being a later addition.
If you go to
http://scripts.ireland.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm
and type in Lowther, it will show the spread of the name across various counties in mid 1800's (plus some meanings and variations). Londonderry is included.
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Well, I have my Lowther/Lowthers line narrowed down to Lisdillon, Clondermot and Lower Cumber, Clondermot!
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Have you tried contacting Derry Genealogy Centre. They may be of help (although I do not know at what cost). An index I have seen has over 100 Lowther/s birth/baptism dates from about early 1800's to early 1900. It includes a Samuel Lowthers 1820 (don't know if this date would tie with your Samuel but possible). There are also about 40 or so Lowther/s marriages from late 1700's onwards.
Their details are:
Heritage Library, 14 Bishop Street, BT48 6PW,
Londonderry,
Co. Londonderry.
Phone : (+44) (0) 28 7126 9792
Fax : (+44) (0) 28 7136 0921
Contact : Brian Mitchell
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I have a Lowther of Lisdillon in my tree. Moved to Castrues by the time of 1901 & 1911 census.
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Welcome to Rootschat. The original poster hasn't been online since 2005 but do let us know if we can help your with information on your family.
Just in case you haven't see this yet...
"The Will of James Lowther late of Lisdillon County Londonderry Farmer who died 6th August 1880 at same place was proved at Londonderry by the Reverend Richard Babington of Lisowen Waterside Londonderry Clerk and James Henderson of Lisdillon Drumahoe Londonderry Farmer the Executors." See www.proni.gov.uk to view transcript of Will from Will Book.
And...
"Probate of the Will (with one Codicil) of John Lowther late of Castruse Bogay County Donegal Farmer who died 29 November 1913 granted at Londonderry to William J. Lowther and William Speer Farmers" (no image but a few more details on PRONI page.
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Thank you. I don't know if James is John Lowthers faher but he could be.
John Lowther d 1913 looks like he is the husband of Catherine nee Dougherty formerly of Coolkeeragh who had moved to Castruse Bogay c1885 I think. The family were in Lisdillon when Catherine's father Henry Dougherty died in 1877 (I have that will). My ancestor is Catherine's brother William John Dougherty of Creevagh (I have his will also).
I have not been able to discover the name of Henry Dougherty's wife or get any further back than them on the Dougherty line. I have the names from Coolkeeragh tithes etc but don't know how the other Doughertys in Coolkeeragh were related to Henry.
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The Will for James Lowther that I mentioned earlier does list quite a few family members. According to the civil registration index James Lowther was born c1814.
http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails&c=fs%3A1408347