French family research

[aghadowey]

If your Thomas French was born c188 (going by age at time of marriage) then his birth should have been registered but he might have been registered without a Christian name being chosen ('male' on certificate) or originally given another name/names and birth was registered that way.

[Fiz]

Thanks, that's a thought, I did wonder if his birth records were destroyed by the 1922 fire? as I believe happened to so many. My next step, I think, will be to try Churches local to Rathmore/Antrim for any baptism records, it's just knowing where to start.

[aghadowey]

No civil records (brths, marriages, deaths) have been destroyed but he's either 'hiding' under another name, has been mis-indexed or somehow wasn't registered.

[caitm]

You mentioned a William French in your search.

I'm looking for a William French father of William French b1816 in Co Antrim.
William jnr spent some time in Oldham in England, married, and returned to Ireland about 1840/1841 where a daughter Mary was born. He was back in England in Oldham by 1856 where he remained until his death in 1880.

William Jnr - nailmaker and William Snr - labourer.

Does any of this overlap with your search?

[orangelil]

I am looking for a Mary Margaret French who married John O'Rawe.  They lived in Drummaul parish Randalstown where they had 5 children before relocating to Belfast and having at least 5 more.  I have yet to find a marriage for them, but first known child born 1875 in Tannaghmore, so I assume they married just before that.  Unfortunately Mary died before 1901 census, probably in 1891 in childbirth with her tenth known child.  There seem to be a few Frenches still in the area.  I would be interested in anyone who may have a connection or any help with tracing the marriage.  Thanks     

[Elwyn Soutter]

I live in Randalstown and can confirm the FRENCH name is common locally. There are definitely French gravestones in the First Presbyterian churchyard, and I think in the OC and second Presbyterian churchyards too.

You could try the Randalstown Historical society to see if they can put you in touch with anyone locally who may have more information.

www.communityni.org/organisation/randalstown-historical-society

Elwyn

[orangelil]

Elwyn
Thanks for the link.  I'm pretty certain both John O'Raw(e) and Mary Margaret French were born and perhaps married in Drummaul Parish.  Their first 2 children were born in Tannaghmore and next 3 in Sharvogues.  However all 5 were baptised in St Joseph's Hannahstown, so maybe they married there too.     No idea what religion Margaret French was, but John and all the children were Catholic.
Thanks again for the link
karen

[TheWhuttle]

I recall (from OSNI map) that there is a "French Park" in the suburbs of Randalstown ...
[In Ballygrooby townland, to the SE, near to the station ?]

[caitm]

That sounds like it could be the location of "Frencheston" referred to on at least one of the gravestones in Drummaul.

I read somewhere on the net (but of course, now can't find the reference link for you) that the French family surname was established in the Randalstown area following the Anglo-Norman invasion.

I would appreciate any local information on that.
And any suggestions of who to contact regarding births/deaths/marriages in the parish between 1750-1850.
Would these records be at PRONI?

Thanks