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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Westmeath => Topic started by: jilly43 on Friday 28 August 09 18:21 BST (UK)
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I am and have been researching Robert Hardcastle Johnston born 1818 Newtown, Co.Westmeath. I now have a contact from the descendants of Benjamin Hardcastle Johnston the address they have is Wynchford Bridge. County Westmeath. I would be grateful if anyone out there has heard of this place and could tell us which area it is in.
Appreciate any help
Jilly
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I am still hoping to find any connection to my family Johnston my grt grandfather was a Robert Hardcastle Johnston born Newtown, 1818 his father was William the only info I have from Robert's marriage cert. Through these forums I have found a relative who has established that some of the family namely (Benjamin) emigrated and settled in Ontario in about 1860, but what happened to the family who were left behind ? any help or suggestions would be most appreciated.
I have posted previously and always hopeful that someone will turn something up while doing their own research.
Thanks
Moderator Note : topics Merged
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How do you know when and where Robert was born ?
I'd say your starting point would be to follow up in the parish records for the parish he was baptised and check for details of siblings to try and then try to follow them forward. You have a bit of a gap to make up before civil records start in 1864.
Shane
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I am and have been researching Robert Hardcastle Johnston born 1818 Newtown, Co.Westmeath. I now have a contact from the descendants of Benjamin Hardcastle Johnston the address they have is Wynchford Bridge. County Westmeath. I would be grateful if anyone out there has heard of this place and could tell us which area it is in.
Appreciate any help
Jilly
I've never heard of Wynchford Bridge... but there is a town called Rochfortbridge in Co. Westmeath - could this be what they meant ?
p.s. do you know which Newtown townland your Johnston family lived in ?
(there are several in Co. Westmeath)
Shane
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Thanks Shane for your reply. I did discover there were 4 Newtowns within the Westmeath area.
Apparently there were only records available for two of them, I paid the Heritage Centre for a search of the two they had and unfortunately nothing was found. So I assume from this it was one of the other two. I just cannot believe there would be no trace of this family, Roberts date and place of birth is from his death certificate. I suppose it is the date that is the biggest problem as I realise no registration was required before 1864..so frustrating....If you have any other suggestions..I would be grateful.
Thanks and regards
Jill
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hi jill i was on a internet search looking up my mothers fammily johnstons johnsons from westmeath ,as im from westmeath i tought it would be easier but it was harder than i tought i have johnston fammily from newtown in westmeath newtown takes in a big area as it is the electorial area but there are only a few johnstons [johnsons brackagh newtown is 1 of them my ggrandfasther was john johnston born 1860 thats as far back as i have reached but there cant be to many johnstons around at that time and most of them were related
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hi jill i was on a internet search looking up my mothers fammily johnstons johnsons from westmeath ,as im from westmeath i tought it would be easier but it was harder than i tought i have johnston fammily from newtown in westmeath newtown takes in a big area as it is the electorial area but there are only a few johnstons [johnsons brackagh newtown is 1 of them my ggrandfasther was john johnston born 1860 thats as far back as i have reached but there cant be to many johnstons around at that time and most of them were related
rochfordbridge is in westmeath not far from brackagh but some of the area around newtown could have been in oaffaly but it was kings county back then
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Hi Paddyd, thanks for your reply. This is interesting what you say about your relative John Johnston. Surely there ust be a connection. I mentioned that I am now in regular contact with a Johnston in Canada, who confirms a Benjamin Hardcastle Johnston emigrated to Canada in 1860, firstly farming in London, Ontario and later setteling in Port Carling in Ontario. He has a well documented history of them once they were in Canada, but like me he cannot find the exact place where they originated from in Westmeath. The name Rochfordbridge, came from them, but you know how names are mispelled or misheard over the years, it could well be Wynchfordbridge, especially as it is in Westmeath. Have you ever come across this middle name of Hardcastle in your research, it is a bit unusual, story goes it is the first born son through the generations, but where it came from we don't know, possibly the mother's maiden name. Interested to hear your thoughts on this. Regards J
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The name Rochfordbridge, came from them, but you know how names are mispelled or misheard over the years, it could well be Wynchfordbridge, especially as it is in Westmeath.
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other way 'round - there's a Rochfortbridge in Co. Westmeath between Kinnegad and Tyrrellspass, but nowhere that I've ever heard of named Wynchfordbridge
Shane
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shane is right jill its rochefordbridge , im going up around newtown in the next few weeks to look at the old cemetrys finding them is a job in its self if u want i can see if i can find yuour johnstons [johnsons ] have u any dates in wich they died and are burried any where around the area
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Yes sorry as pointed out wrong way round :-[
I would be most grateful for any information you find...as mentioned I cannot get back further than the date my grt grandfather was born which on his death and marriage cert says born Newtown Westmeath 1818 and father's name William (I assume William may have died in Ireland, but of course I don't have any proof of that) If a William turns up that would be wonderful, but not building my hopes up. Thanks anyway and good luck with your search...J
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Hi Padyd, just wondered did anything show up, when you visited Westmeath recently, guess no Johnston's or you would have let me know.
cheers Jilly
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hi jilly i havent gone up yet but i am planning to do so in the next 2 weeks and ill will let you know either way , on what ever i find
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Hi Paddyd, Some time since we had contact, just wondered were you able to come up with anything re Johnston's on your visit to Westmeath.
Any info much appreciated.
Thanks Jilly
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Hi Paddyd,
Any luck with your visit...?
Regards
Jilly