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Does anyone know when the 1911 census will be released on line by the national archives of Irelend? Next up under future plans on the site but that has been the case for months and months. I fear it is one area where budget cutbacks may hit hard.

I'm hoping to find more information on my ancestor Alexander Hall and his parents Robert and Isabella.

Alexander was born in 1846. He later moves to Glasgow by 1868 where he marries in the church of scotland. On his marriage certificate his parents are given as Robert (profession listed as Farmer) and Isabella (maiden name Irvine). Later Scotland census returns give Alexanders birthplace unhelpfully as Ireland.

I believe his parents did not move over to Scotland as I can find no trace of them in any census returns.

From a search of ulster wills I'm taking a decent guess they are from Tyrone (only a few Isabella Halls listed and the dates work and also the valuations have plenty of Irvines listed).

Any ideas on where I might be able to track down Alexanders birth or his parents marriage?

Many thanks

I have Alexanders marriage certificate which took place in 1868 in the Church of Scotland in Cathcart Renfrewshire. He was born in 1846 so I'll definitely need church records. Sadly his birthplace is only listed as Ireland on each of the Scots census returns from 1871 to 1901 and nothing further on the registration of his death in 1910 or his sons Scottish marriage certificate to give a clue on county.

The only real clue I have is his parents names, Robert Hall and Isabella Irvine (names listed on Alexanders marriage cert) and that his father was a farmer. His father is not listed as deceased and the theory is he is still alive then in 1868.  The witness at the wedding was a William Paisley and in the 1871 census a George Paisley lives with the family. George is the same age as Alexander and also listed as having been born in Ireland. My theory is Alexander and George were childhood friends in Ireland and travelled to Scotland where William was already living. Hence I've looked at trying to match Robert Hall's, and the family names Irvine and Paisley in the Griffiths valuations to try and work out the most likely county of origin. As suspected I came out with the northern counties being the most likely but no firm conclusions.

Any help or advice gratefully received.

Hi Monica, many thanks for you help. In answer to your questions:

Alexander Hall married in Cathcart, Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1868 at the age of 22. His wife Elizabeth Morton was 24 and a widow (previous married name Reid by the look of the marriage entry). The marriage took place in the Church of Scotland.

Alexander and Elizabeth had six children of which my great grandfather Thomas was the youngest, born in 1885. Thomas went on to marry in the Catholic church in 1912. His wifes family were Catholic and from Banffshire and I have their marriage confirming this.

Alexanders parents were Robert Hall and Isabella (maiden name Irvine). His fathers occupation is described as farmer.

The only other clue I have as to Alexanders origin is that there is a William Paisley who is witness to the marriage in 1868. Living with the family in 1871 there is a George Paisley aged 25 years (ie the same age as Alexander) who was also born in Ireland and works with Alexander in the gas works. I'm hoping George / William may have later records which state where in Ireland they came from and that they / he were childhood friends of Alexander.

Kind regards

Alastair.