Alexander Hall son of Robert Hall poss Shankill

[alfraser]

I'm looking for the birth of my great, great Grandfather Alexander Hall born in 1846. His parents were Robert Hall and Isabella Irvine. Alexander moved to Scotland and married there in 1868. I presume he was protestant as he married in the church of Scotland. At that time he listed his father as a farmer.

Many thanks

[aghadowey]

Civil registrations of births in Ireland started in 1864 so for earlier records you need to search for church records (if they still exist). To do so you need to know what denomination they were (Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, etc.) and where they lived (parish if not townland).
Have you tried searching Scottish certificates for more information?

[alfraser]

I have Alexanders marriage certificate which took place in 1868 in the Church of Scotland in Cathcart Renfrewshire. He was born in 1846 so I'll definitely need church records. Sadly his birthplace is only listed as Ireland on each of the Scots census returns from 1871 to 1901 and nothing further on the registration of his death in 1910 or his sons Scottish marriage certificate to give a clue on county.

The only real clue I have is his parents names, Robert Hall and Isabella Irvine (names listed on Alexanders marriage cert) and that his father was a farmer. His father is not listed as deceased and the theory is he is still alive then in 1868.  The witness at the wedding was a William Paisley and in the 1871 census a George Paisley lives with the family. George is the same age as Alexander and also listed as having been born in Ireland. My theory is Alexander and George were childhood friends in Ireland and travelled to Scotland where William was already living. Hence I've looked at trying to match Robert Hall's, and the family names Irvine and Paisley in the Griffiths valuations to try and work out the most likely county of origin. As suspected I came out with the northern counties being the most likely but no firm conclusions.

Any help or advice gratefully received.

[aghadowey]

Any chance his parents also came to Scotland and died there? What about siblings? Have you found any other Halls born in Ireland living near Alexander in Scotland?

[alfraser]

Afraid not, can't see any sign of his parents in the census records before or after the marriage. No sign of siblings but the name Hall isn't the most helpfull far too many about.

I'm also thinking his mothers name could be Irwin, the writing on the certificate is very hard to decifer