Where is Ballymena?

[mmjones]

Hello,

My Irish ancestors are from Ballymena, Antrim and Ballymoney, Antrim. Can someone who is familiar with the area please explain to me where these two places are in relation to one another? I have so far found Ballymoney on genuki maps but not where Ballymena is. Thanks.

Regards,
Lynnwin

[Pat Reid]

Hi Lynnwin:

Here is map showing both.
http://www.antrimtourist.com/towns/ballymena/

Pat

[Christopher]

Hiya Lynnwin,

When were your ancestors in Ballymena?

I looked in the 1852 Directory of Belfast and the Province of Ulster.
The Directory only shows merchants and traders. It does not show residents.
There were no Wallaces or McGarrys shown but three Smiths and three Taylors.

The Misses Smith, haberdashers, Bridge Street
John Smith, publican, Bridge Street
Robert Smith, publican, Wellington Street

Archibald Taylor, grocer, wine and spirit merchant, Mill Street
James Taylor, grocery, bakery, wine and spirit stores, Church Street
William Taylor, cloth merchant, Church Street.

All the Best, Chris 

[mmjones]

Thanks Pat

[mmjones]

Hi Christpher  

I don't know how long before the McGarry family lived in Antrim but they apparently had flax fields and a Linen
Bleach-Green business in Ballymena from about 1800 to 1875 when they sold the business and moved to Canada. Isaac Taylor was John's father-in-law. I don't know what his occupation was. I think I may have found a reference to them both on Griffiths Valuation on Town Head & High Street in Ballymena.

Lynn       

[RosemaryJoan]

There was bleaching done in Knockboy Townland, Parish of Skerry.  In Griffiths 1861-62 there are James, Hugh, John McGarry all living in Knockboy.  This isn't far from Ballymena.  Rosemary

[cazz033]

Hiya

Ballymena is close to Antrim, Ahoghill and Galgorm. Where abouts in Ballymena are you looking for?, I rememeber when when i was young my brother going to school (Ballymena is where i am from) with a boy whos surname was McGarry. Good Luckk

[FionaLorraine]

I have lots of McGarry Records - collating my research at the moment - mainly from Antrim town and Crumlin area of Northern ireland.

Fiona

[mmjones]

Hi Cazz033,

I don't know where the McGarry's lived in Ballymena but I suppose it might have been close to their church Finvoy Presbyterian. Is that near where you and your brother would have gone to school?

Lynn