Carson, 1818 Antrim>N.C. USA

[kiminohio]

my ancestors John and Ann McIlrath Carson came to the USA in 1818(according to family hist.)  John was born abt. 1795 and Ann about the same time.  They came with John's brothers, Smith, Andrew and Matthew and their families.  I want to find their ancestors, but not having any luck.  According to a book I found in NC, they came from Ballymena, Ulster, Antrim.  I don't know where they sailed from, or landed.  They were Presbyterian, again according to family sources.  The above John came also with his daughter, Margaret b. abt 1815 and son John b. 1818.  Can anyone please help or advise?
Kim

[aghadowey]

You will likely find more information on the family in American sources than from records in Ireland.
At the time you ancestors left Ireland there were no census records, or birth, death and marriage records. Very few churches have records that go back to the early 1800s. Some gravestones do survive but as Carson is a fairly common North Antrim surname there will be no way to connect any headstones to you family.
'Ballymena' quite possibly refers to the area around the town rather than the town itself.
To find any church records (if they exist) you will need to know where the family lived (civil parish at least if not actual townland). Also, early Presbyterian church records (if they exist) are not likely to give much detail- marriages usually just list bride and groom and possibly witnesses, baptisms the date, child's name and father's name.

[kiminohio]

Thanks so much for your prompt reply.  I understand from your comments that I probably won't find much in Ireland, but did they keep shipping records in 1818?  I'm hoping to go to the research ctr. in Salt Lake City next month and hope to unravel this elusive family!

[aghadowey]

There are some passenger lists for various dates but nothing like the database for Ellis Island records which can be easily searched.

It is quite likely that your family went to America along with others from the same area in Ireland, perhaps even from the same civil parish or church.

It might be worthwhile to check for information in the area they settled. Many local histories contain details about early settlers.

[Kiwisue]

HI
Our Carson family is also from Ballymena, County Antrim in Ireland and also Presbyterians originally from Ballee (Carsontown) I am also stuck around the same era as yourself

Robert m Maudie Quinn rem. Olive May
who was the son of
Duffin Carson married Elizabeth Murray daugher of Duffin Murray married 9.8.1873 Presbyterian Church, Wellington Street, Ballymena
who was the son of
Robert d 11.10.1884
think the next is correct just need to prove the link
who was the son of
Archibald Carson d 20.5.1908 married Sarah Erskine d 31.1.1884
and the brother of James Carson and William E Carson - children of Archibald & Sarah
From the will of Robert Carson located on PRONI
http://www.thebraid.com/genealogy.aspx
Details from Roberts Will found on PRONI and website

[Big Sticks]

My Great grandfather, David Carson arrived in Portland (Australia) in 1858 and it is believed that he came from Ballymena. He was born around 1830, and his parents were David and Martha. On a recent visit to Ireland I was not able to get a link to David from any records that I was chasing, until the last day we were due to fly home. It looks like another visit, but if I can get more information before I go, it will help.

[aghadowey]

Deatails from your first post-

I am chasing information on David Carson, my great grandfather who was born in Drummell (according to his headstone in Terang, Australia) but it may be Drumaull (Ireland) in about 1830. He migrated to Australia in 1858 and married here the next year, to an Irish girl who arrived on a different ship. Her name was Martha Denney (or maybe Denny), possibly from County Down. Her Parents were Joseph and Sarah (nee Donaldson) and David's parents were David and Martha (nee Naird). I would like to find out if David had brothers and sisters ans if they too migrated, or stayed in Ireland. We went to Ireland recently looking for information, but it was not until the very last day that we might have stumbled on some clues, but by then it was time to come home