Caldwells from Magilligan

[Gortinanima]

I have been researching a Norris family from Carrowbeg, Inishowen and there is a connection to the Caldwell family of Tircreevan, Magilligan. I came across this posting on the Caldwells and although inactive for a while I think we may be dealing with the same family?

William Caldwell (son of John & Margaret Caldwell) died 20 Feb 1891 in Montrose, Dane County, Wisconsin. According to a bio in the History of Dane County he was born in the parish of Magilligan Co L'Derry in Dec 1825 and emigrated 1843. He married:

1. Margaret Norris (born Donegal) in Exeter, Green Co, Wisconsin in 1851 and that had a son William Norris Caldwell 9 Dec 1851. Margaret N Caldwell died Oct 1852

2. Mary J Shepherd 17 Dec 1868 in Montrose, Dane Co, Wisconsin & they had issue a dau Mgt H Caldwell c.1871

Margaret Norris (1834-1852) 1st wife of Wm Caldwell was the daughter of William Norris (c1796-1868) of Carrowbeg by his wife Margaret Kane (c1801-before 1841) who was from the Kane family of Lenamore, Magilligan (Kane family moved from Lenamore to Brogalsco in Myroe where descendants live today).

[Gortinanima]

Someone else mentioned a Caldwell McCracken in this thread (not sure if it is the same Caldwell McCracken but there is bound to be a connection).

Margaret Kane Norris (c1801-before 1841) had a brother William Kane of Lenamore (c1808-1876):

This William Kane married twice: (no issue as far as I can tell).
1. Margaret Robinson in 1850 Magilligan P (she died before 1869)
2. Elizabeth Doherty (c1825-1885) in 1869 Magilligan P.

The latter Elizabeth Doherty's sister Eleanor Hesther Doherty (c1832-1885) was the wife of Caldwell McCracken (c1812-1890).

A lot of Magilligan families are connected to local families in the parish and there is a very big Inishowen connection. For those with families in Inishowen from say Moville to Carndonagh it is well worth checking the Magilligan Presbyterian registers as the minister was very thorough in recording family relationships.

[stmccmagilligan]

Dear Gortinana

Where did you get the information for Caldwell McCracken. I have his birth in the 1840s and living in magilligan. where did your date come from? Caldwell is my gggf

[Gortinanima]

Dear Gortinana

Where did you get the information for Caldwell McCracken. I have his birth in the 1840s and living in magilligan. where did your date come from? Caldwell is my gggf

From a death index on the GRONI platform:
Caldwell McCracken (Bellerana DED, Limavady) died 19 Nov 1890 aged 78 years

[stmccmagilligan]

wow. who do you then believe Caldwell was named after? and do you think there is a link to Donegal?

[Gortinanima]

According to his marriage certificate of 1863 Caldwell McCracken was the son of Thomas McCracken.

I can find a Thomas McCracken in the 1831 census in Upper Drummons:
No 8. Daniel Doherty 5m/3f 8RC
No 9. Thos McCracken 5m/1f 1male servant 6P & 1RC

Then in the 1855 census of the Magilligan Presbyterian congregation we have the following:
Drumahorgan
Thomas McCracken, wife Doherty - children John, George, Caldwell.

So if this is the same family (and I think it is) I suspect that Thomas McCracken's mother was a Caldwell (supposition of course but a real possibility).

[stmccmagilligan]

many thanks this is brilliant. is there a marriage cert for Thomas at all?
 

[Gortinanima]

many thanks this is brilliant. is there a marriage cert for Thomas at all?

I suspect not unless there is something in the Magilligan Presbyterian registers.

Records of civil marriages (Protestant) began 1845 and all other denominations after 1864.

I suspect there is a lot more information in the Magilligan Presbyterian registers. Have you ever checked them? They are very good from 1814 onwards.

[stmccmagilligan]

Thanks. This is brilliant. We thought that Thomas born 1808 was father to Caldwell.