Archibalds of Maghera

[archibald89]

Hi there!  First of all, I must say how great it is to finally find an active forum!

I'm wondering if anyone may be able to help me out in the tracking down of my ancestors that left from Londonderry for New Hampshire (and then, shortly after, Nova Scotia) in 1745.  They were to have resided in the parish of Maghera and were Scottish Presbyterians.

We know it was four brothers that shipped over: James, Thomas, Samuel (1719-1794), and David (born 1717) Archibald.  We don't know the fathers first name, unfortunatley.  That is the current task, I suppose.

It is rumored some members of the family may have participated in the Battle of the Boyne, in 1690.

I've noticed a lot of the queries in here seem to be regarding the 19th century and later.  Maybe a lot of the older records were destroyed?

Ideally, my long term goal, if possible, is to find out where they resided in South West (presumably) Scotland prior to leaving for Ulster and when they did so.

If anyone know of any databases I should be looking at or can point me in the right direction somehow, I would greatly appreciate it!

Many thanks in advance for any responses!

David Archibald

[kingskerswell]

Hello David.
                 Welcome to Roots Chat. You hit the nail on the head when you stated that early records had been lost. Civil records for Presbyterians did not start until 1845 for marriages and 1864 for births and deaths so they will be of little use to you. Many other official records were lodged in the Four Courts Building in Dublin and most of the records eg Census were lost in the civil war which occurred in 1922.
                Having said that we have to rely on what are known as "census substitutes". These consist if lists of names which were made for one reason or another. eg 1740 list of protestant householders and various Hearth Roll Tax Lists. To the best of my knowledge few if any of these are on line but on this site many people are willing to help where they can.
               Another source is Church records, where they were kept and again few of these are on line and in the time period you are looking at there were few Presbyterian churches and I am unsure of the dates for Maghera churches.
              Having painted such a gloomy picture may I wish you Good Luck in your search.

Regards

[kingskerswell]

David,
        Further to my last if you Look at the International Genealogical Index (IGI) on www.familysearch.org
and put in John Archibald and Margaret as parents you get about 102 entries. Make of it what you will but I would be wary.       

Regards

[wonderinglady]

Check the Bann Valley website the Presbyterian Records have been transcribed on there and it's free!!!  I have the 1831 Census for Termoneeny.

[aghadowey]

Bann Valley site is good source for pointing out leads to what records to check but the transcriptions contain many errors and any details found there do need to be verified.

[Gortinanima]

In the 1630 Muster Roll for the Vintners estate [under Henry
Conway] centred on Bellaghy was a John Gillaspick, [Archibald].
This is not too far from Maghera.

There were no Archibalds in the area in the 1740 Protestant
householders' returns. There were 3 Archibalds in Aghadowey
and one in Limavady in 1740 [these places are in North Derry].

Are you sure your Archibalds came from Maghera?

[aghadowey]

Hearth Money Roll for Aghadowey Parish (c1663):
Lishnamuck (Lisnamuck): David Archibald
Bell McAlly More (Ballynacally More): Humphrie Archbald
Colliegor: David Archbald

[wonderinglady]

Sorry to disagree but Bann Valley is  double checked through another member prior to being included in the website.  I know I have contributed and they always check with the original before putting on website.  Sometimes the originals can be a bit difficult to read or have some difficulties but a very useful site.
In my experience it has more records for that particular area then any other site I have found. 
And no I don't run the site. 

[wonderinglady]

The Hearth Rolls usually only listed the more well todo people in the area. 
Most of those that lived there had small fires in a corner of a room without a hearth so didn't pay the tax. 
The inquisition rolls might be interesting for further back - listing who land was taken from and who the land was given too - Cromwell.
Also some of the historical accounts could be interesting but it is a lot of reading, I know I am doing it myself - Lewis' Topographical and others going back to the 1600's.
Before Maghera, Co. Londonderry was so called it was called Rathlury/Rathluric some search under that might turn up something?  Also the parish of Termoneeny was called Eanga prior to getting the name of Termoneeny.