Where is Ballymena?

[mmjones]

Hi Fiona,

Other than knowing that the McGarry's lived in or near Ballymena, worked in linens manufacturing and attended Finvoy Presbyterian Church I have very little other information about them or their extended family. Since there are few records online and since I live in the USA I seem unable to gather much more information about them, unfortunately. Does anything about my McGarry's ring a bell with you? I wish I knew more. Can you suggest any avenues that I can try that you have had success with?

Regards,
Lynn

[cazz033]

Hi Lynn,

Finvoy is around 30 mins away from Ballymena (15 miles) near a place called Rasharkin
The McGarrys that went to school with my elder brother lived in a placed called Ballee, which is just as you enter Ballymena from the Antrim side.

Hope this helps?

caroline

[aghadowey]

Finvoy Presbyterian Church between Ballymoney (not Ballymena) and Rasharkin. Have  Survey of Graveyard and no McGarry headstone appears there.
Suggest checking Ballymoneyancestry website to search records there and to post a message.

[mmjones]

Hi aghadowey,

I am very surprised that there are no McGarry's buried at Finvoy. Do you know if there is a Presbyterian Church in Ballymena with a very similar name like Finvoy? Could the name be Finloy instead?

Lynn

[mmjones]

Hello again aghadowey,

I have had another look through my records and figured out (I think) why there are no McGarry's buried at Finvoy. John's parents were married at the Killead Preb. according to the IGI so that is most probably where THEY would be buried I suppose. And John moved away to Canada with his family so no burials for them would have taken place at Finvoy.
Lynn

[aghadowey]

Marriages usually, but not always, took place at the bride's church but perhaps they both belonged to Killead and were married there. It would certainly be worth checked the records for Killead.

[FionaLorraine]

I have old McGarry Records for Killead - I can hunt them out if you wish - In particular I quite remember a John McGarry who is member of the church - from Oldstone - I have lots of information about this way and in fact wonder if my Henry McGarry from Oldstone too is connected to John.

Can you tell me a little more about the dates you are looking for and the families so I can give you the most appropriate info?

Fiona

[FionaLorraine]

For example I have a James McGarry and Eliza Jane Hunter having children Killead Pre 1830s.  Lots of McGarrys and Megarrys [always changing their surname] who are Presbyterian on the 1901 census in Seacash Killead Antrim.  I have a John MeGarry and Sarah Rea having children in Dungonnell 1870s.  There are others in British and Tully Some linked to Taggarts and Mulhollands etc...lots of them here....Just give me more info and I can maybe remember about other records I have - I'll have to dig out my Killead Pres notes....

[FionaLorraine]

I have a more recent grave with McGarrys Adams and Mulhollands all mentioned - deaths 1910.  Adams is a name you are interested in?

Fiona