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eddiec,

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Hi

Hi .. it may be 14 years later and I hope you get this but I am related to Andrew McNeillly you are writing about, he was my Grandmother's (Isobell McNeilly) Grandfather... I was brought up on the family farm in Mulloyghboy and my sister still lives there.

14 years!! Where have all the years gone... and all these replies after all that time... lol

I have an Isabella McNeilly who married a William Rides – would that be the same one?

You can contact me directly if you would like to discuss things in a bit more depth.

Eddie

After a break of a few years I've tried to get back into my family tree focussing on my paternal connections with Islandmagee.

This ramble concerns may G-G-grandmother Mary McNeilly and family so if you have any info I would be grateful.

McNeilly or Meneilly - now that is a question?

Between Civil records - BMDs and census - and Church records the name changes spelling with myriad variations. (Here I refer mainly to the Church records with a few civil records.)

Several records connect Mary and husband John with James and Andrew McNeilly (particularly 1861 Census and 1881 Census listing ships in port)

When my G-G-Grandmother Mary got married in 1856 the name is spelt as "McNeilly" father James, farmer. She is recorded as living in Ballymoney.  (Marriage records of First Presbyterian, Islandmagee.)

In 1860, the records show the marriage of John "Meniely" of Ballymoney whose father is James Meniely is recorded though as "Labourer"

In the Griffiths Valuation (taken a few years later) there is only one possible match - James "Menielly" who, together with Alexander Holmes, leased over 20 acres in Mullaghboy from Viscount Dungannon. (http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/index.xml)

In 1862 the records show Susan "McNeely" father James McNeely farmer of Mulloughboy... again referring to Griffiths only one possibility.

When my g-grandfather was born in 1866 "Jinnie" McNeilly registered the birth.  Jenny was married in 1868 her name was spelt as "McNeeley" but this was recorded by the minister as she only made her mark BUT her brother Andrew who signed his own name spelt McNeilly.

Interestingly when James and Margaret both get married at the end of 1868 the name again is spelt as McNeilly with both signing their own names. Andrew again as a witness - this time for Margaret.

Andrew, because his name appears to be unique in the McNeiilly clan, is the only clear line at this point and again depending on whether he wrote his name or someoone else the name varies between McNeilly and Menielly and when his daughters baptisms were recorded "McNeely".

One thing muddies the waters though and that is the recorded marriage in 1853 of James McNeely a farmer in Mullaghboy father John McNeely, Mariner. Also at this time a Jenny McNeely is recorded as being married to John Dick.  If related they would appear to be siblings.

Another major problem is that the records from St John's were destroyed and that many of the early baptisms from both Presbyterian Churches are illegible on the microfilms.

So... if you have any connection with McNeilly or Meneilly... please post a reply

Hi Folks

This is a bit of a long shot but I thought I'd leave a posting as someone might come across it who might be able to help.

This photo was found among the possessions of my grandmother's sister MARY McAULEY who lived with her mothers family in Antrim from where both my Great-Grandmother MARY FLEMING and Great-Grandfather PATRICK McAULEY (alias MACAULEY) originated.

On the back were three lines of text:
          To Mary From Aunt Mary Canada
          91 ys Sept 12th 1952
          Taken on Mothers Day

As it was sent to my grandmother's sister and she addresses herself as "Aunt Mary" (and none of the Fleming family knew anything about who it was), it would seem to confirm my impression that she is related to my Great-Grandfather Patrick McAULEY - either a sister or sister-in-law.