O'Neill's in County Down

[sammyscrap]

Hi everyone, trying to find some info on my grgrandfather John O'Neill, born somewhere in Down 22nd July1863. According to my aunt he used to say that from where he lived he could see the Mountains of Mourne. His father was a Hugh Henry showing as being a farmer on Johns marriage cert, mother Jane.  The family were Catholics. John moved to Cleator Moor Cumberland around 1868 with his mother and a brother, probably Hugh Henry had passed away by then. If anyone who could point me in the right direction about County Down I'd be grateful. Thanks Lynn 

[BallyaltikilliganG]

I am unable to point the path yet to Co Down, so far trying to find the connection I rechecked for irish born oO'Neill's in Cumberland and in www.familysearch.com found two entries of interest

John O NEILL  Birth Year <1862>  Birthplace Ireland  Age 19  Occupation Soldier  <Unmarried>  Head of Household John POTTS
Source Information: Institution "2nd Brigade Dep The Castle Barracks" Carlisle .Census Place Rickergate, Cumberland, England  .Family History Library Film 1342245 . Household: full of soldiers John O'NEILL Private    19   Ireland   Soldier     Source Information:Institution   "2nd Brigade Dep The Castle Barracks" Carlisle Census Place Rickergate, Cumberland, England Family History Library Film   1342245 

Also under same source
I wonder if your family is the one with an entry in Family search
Head of Household Jane O'NEILL  Source Information: Dwelling No 6 Aldbie St
Census Place Cleator, Cumberland, England  .Family History Library Film 1342252 .Household  Jane O'NEILL   Head   W   Female   52   Scotland        Thomas O'NEILL   Son   U   Male   32   Scotland   Iron Ore Miner.   John O'NEILL   Son   U   Male   17   Ireland   Lab Iron Ore Pit     Source Information:Dwelling   No 6 Aldbie St Census Place Cleator, Cumberland, England Family History Library Film   1342252  etc etc you need to look up the original entry ec.

So after a small hunt in Co Down for Hugh Henry O’Neill and John O’Neill, I realised the older Brother Thomas was born in Scotland, could Hugh Henry O'Neill have also been born in Scotland and the family  went to Ireland during the 1860s.  Do you know anything more of a lasting Irish ancestry in Co Down connection or Scotland?  Keep the hunt going Jim

[sammyscrap]

Hi Jim, yes the O'Neills living at Aldbie St, Cleator are my family. John & his mother were still there in 1891. I don't know of any lasting ancestry in Ireland or Scotland, though older family members say he only mentioned Ireland. The 15 year age gap between John and his brother Thomas makes me think there must have been other children born in the middle. I think they must have travelled from Scotland to Ireland looking for work, I'll see f I can track them down in Scotland, I might find something you never know. Thanks again Lynn

[Auntie Rotter]

hi Sammy, if he could see the Mountains of Mourne it is possible he was in Warrenpoint, near Newry. My granny Agnes was an O'Neill who lived in Newry.