RootsChat.Com

I had forgotten the 1851 census might be available for that neck of the woods. My own Lurgan area tree has spouses from Aghalee/Aghagallon, Upper Masserene so I have used a few from there, and as is not far away, should have considered. Survived as out for binding.

I had always wondered how those so-called 'census fragments' had managed to survive.

Thanks for these new links to other local history sites.

Correct spelling for townland is Carnaghliss ...

Thanks very much for the useful links.
The PRONI link confirms that deaths were rarely recorded in Catholic registers before 1860.
From 1864 onwards there was the civil BMD registration was but Edward died just before then so I guess graveyards are the only chance – which I will explore on my next visit to N.I.

According to the 1851 Census the adults in the family were literate -  could all read and write. I have a GGgf Hercules Dean buried with his wife in the old section of Hannahstown graveyard. Their headstone dating back to 1849 is still legible – so haven’t given up hope :-)

My great-grandfather was Edward Alexander Bell (b. 1824), son of Clements W. Bell (1769-1845). His siblings were William Bell, John Bell and Clementina Bell, I believe. They are from near Dundrod, Crumlin, listed also as Boltnaconnell, Killead Parish, Carnaghliss Townland, Aghnadarragh, in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, which is very near Glenavy. David Bell was the brother of Clements W. Bell, acc. to a census record......

Not sure if this is might be of any help but
John and Alexander Bell had neighbouring properties further north. John was an executor in Edward Magee’s Will made in 1862. 
The pdf is a page from the bio I am working up for Edward Magee 1786 - 1863.
It has the GV map listing and a bit of mapping

... re photo attached by japefalkes

Thank you very much - another great restoration!

I had a good friend named Con (Cornelius) Donnelly during my time in Burnie Tasmania some years ago. Sadly Con died too young in his 40's. He told me that he believed that his Donnelly ancestors were from Belfast, as are mine.

Just recently I have come across this great old photo posted by Rob Donnelly, a cousin of Con's.
It came with this message...
 
"This is a photo of my great great grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary in 1902. It was taken at a mining town called Waratah in north west Tasmania.
The couple in the centre are Cornelius Donnelly - originally from Belfast and transported as a convict with his brother James to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) in 1844 - and Bridget Donnelly (nee Lyons) from Clare who came out to escape the famine.

They were married in Melbourne at the time of the Victorian gold rush in 1852. Cornelius was among the first wave of gold rush diggers. They came back to Tasmania in 1853 and made their life there.
Directly behind Cornelius is his son Jack Donnelly (my great grandfather).

The convict records indicate Cornelius’ father, back in Belfast, was George - I haven’t had much luck tracking down George’s details."

This couple are Con's gx3 grandparents.
Can anyone help restore this lovely old photo.