Marriage 1829

[CrichtonD]

Could any one help me with a marriage record for 1829.  I am trying to find more details on my gg grandfather Reverend John Millar who I believe originated from Scotland.  He married in 13 July 1829 Margaret Ann Lyle and they lived in Carncoggy, Derrykeighan.  I have details on her and details on him from this date but nothing before.  Any help greatly appreciated.

[aghadowey]

Not sure if you have this-
Coleraine Chronicle, 10 May 1862: At Cairncoggy, near Dervock, on the 4th inst., the Rev. John Millar, of the Free Church of Scotland, aged 64 years.
(Chronicle started in 1844; births, marriages, deaths indexed 1844-1869).
Since he was a minister these may be other bits written about him the time he died.

Also- 18 Jan.1868: At Benvarden Presbyterian Church, on the 15th inst., by the Rev. John Ross,, Mr. William Tweed, to Margaret Anne, daughter of the late Rev. John Millar, both of Benvarden.

"A History of Concgregations" says "On 13 July 1828 Mr. John Millar was ordained by the Presbytery of Ayr as Tobertdoney's first settled minister." There was later a dispute involving a lawsuit and after losing the case, Mr. Millar removed to Benvarden.

It might be worth contacting the Presbyterian Historical Society in Belfast for any details they might have on Rev. Millar. There was a church magazine (not sure if it was printed as far back as 1862) and I have found lots of information in it on ministers and missionaries.

[CrichtonD]

Thank you for that.  I didn't have the info on when he was ordained which I think confirms what I thought that he was Scottish.  I will contact the Presbyterian Historical Society as you suggest.

[scotmum]

That was a good find by Aghadowey.

Did you notice that the ordination at Toberdoney was on the same day/month as the date you have given for the marriage, albeit the year is different. Could your marriage year be out by one and he was married the day he was ordained? The local studies section of Coleraine Library holds copies of a number of films relating to church records in and around their area (and for some other parts of Londonderry and Antrim), they also hold a wide selection of books on local history. Perhaps if you were to email them with the details you have on Rev John, they would have a look at some of their resources for you. I have found other Local Studies departments in Northern Ireland to be helpful for such enquiries. They will not undertake full research but should be able to do some checks for you or give you pointers as to other possible research areas.

This link has their email addy.

Or, as Toberdoney was in Billy Parish, County Antrim, you could try the Ballymena Local Studies , addy at this link.

[CrichtonD]

I have an old book written by his wife Margaret with the exact date of the wedding 13th  July 1829 and he is down then as Rev.  so I am sure they married then.  I will make the contacts you suggest.  Thanks for your help.

[scotmum]

You may already have this.

Ballymoney Ancestry have Rev John Millar recorded in Griffith's for three locations in Derrykeighan Parish:

Derrykeighan
Carncoggy
Beerhill

[aghadowey]

Coleraine Library no longer have librarian to deal with queries, local history sources, etc. as they did when Marjorie was in the Irish Room. Much of the old collection seems to be in storage and no one ever seems to know what's there or what should be there.
Local church records are on microfilm in Coleraine Library. They are mostly copies of baptisms and marriages for the church and some are extremely difficult to read. Also, the microfilm readers are often out of order or the printers don't work. Note: church records cannot be copied due to same restrictions as at PRONI.

Perhaps it would be wothwhile to contact the churches (Toberdoney and Benvarden) in case there's any church history already compiled.

Another idea- Linenhall Library Belfast had volumes of biographical details on Presbyterian minister (Fasti) but perhaps also at Presbyterian Historical Society.

Would be very unusual for ordination/installation and marriage to take place on same day. In this case it is more likely that the marriage took place on the anniversary of the ordination.

[Christopher]

Perhaps if you were to email them with the details you have on Rev John, they would have a look at some of their resources for you. I have found other Local Studies departments in Northern Ireland to be helpful for such enquiries. They will not undertake full research but should be able to do some checks for you or give you pointers as to other possible research areas.

CrichtonD, scotmum's right there. It may not be full research but if there is anything at all on Rev. John you may well expect a large brown envelope coming through the letter box with four or five pages of photocopied information. I received such an envelope from one librarian and another showed me the amount of work she had done in replying to a query before she put it into an envelope to send it off to the person making the enquiry. Some of the other members of libraries also reply to queries when they have time to spare. The Northern Ireland Libraries are brilliant.