Hi,
I have some new information that may help with work on the Bryson/McConnell connections.
Rev. Magill of Antrim recorded the McConnell family in his notebook.
This lists 9 children born to Mecum McConnell and Ellen Craig of Ballyvoy.
Sixth child was Anne who married James Bryson of Ballyvoy.
Eighth child was Ellen - no marriage given but this would be because Rev. Magill was writing this in mid 1830s and Ellen didn't marry Robert Bryson until 1838.
So this confirms Ellen and Anne as sisters which was queried earlier in this thread.
For info the other children in family were:
1. Martha b.1786, married Thomas Service March 1825
2. Mary - married Robert Mackay (her second husband)
3. John - married Margaret McConnell
4. William - married Sarah Gawin (probably should be Gawn)
5. Mecum
7. Margaret - married James Semple
9. Samuel
As Martha was born 1786 and death certificate places Ellen as born around 1808 this seems to be the range of these births though Samuel could be c1810 as they do seem to be in a defined order.
Now that there is a larger McConnell family, DNA can be used to link branches together. I am already aware of someone on Family Tree DNA descended from Ellen who has Semple, Service and Mackay matches.
