Whiteford / Hilditch of Antrim

[celticflower]

Can anyone help with information on Hugh Whiteford who married Jenny (Annie) Hilditch Nov 17 1882 Woodburn Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus.  According to the marriage certificate, Hugh gave his birth place as Straid, his father as Hugh Whiteford, farmer. 

Jenny died Dec 13 1886, Snowy Glen Carrickfergus 7 days after giving birth to their son Edward Whiteford.  Jenny gave her father as John Hilditch, farmer, birth place Commons Carrickfergus

Hugh went on to marry Isabella Nobel Dec 26 1892 St Annes COI Carrickfergus.

I am finding it very difficult to trace both Hugh and Jenny - my gg-grandparents.

Any help no matter how small will be gladly appreciated!

[aghadowey]

The residence on marriage certificate are residence of bride and groom at the time of the marriage- which may or may not be their birthplaces or where their families lived.

[celticflower]

Hi aghadowey

I have the residence places and places of birth for each individual, which are recorded on the marriage certificates.  I also have a copy of Jennys death certificate and place of death.  But cannot trace their birth certificates nor registration of birth, for both Hugh and Jenny.

I know that there were a lot of Whitefords in the Straid/Ballynure area but cannot tie my Hugh Whiteford in, nor can I tie my Hilditch in with the Hilditch's of Carrickfergus which were predominately in the Carrickfergus area at the time.

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   The Griffith's Valuation of 1861 shows a John Whiteford renting a house and small garden in the townland of Straid in the parish of Layd.

Regards

[aghadowey]

I have the residence places and places of birth for each individual, which are recorded on the marriage certificates.  I also have a copy of Jennys death certificate and place of death.  But cannot trace their birth certificates nor registration of birth, for both Hugh and Jenny.

Civil mariage certificates do not list place of birth (any residence at time of marriage as I explained) and I've never seen a Presbyterian Church record which lists place of birth for marriage record so I'm a bit puzzled.
Civil registration of births started in 1864 and if the marriage took place in 1882 it's likely they were both born before 1864 in which case there will be no birth certificates for either.
Since marriages usually (although not always) took place in the bride's church (and the groom could also have been a member of the same church) the next step would be to see how far back the church records go and see if you can find baptisms, etc.

[jwaugh]

Hi Celticflower

Do you live in Northern Ireland?  If so you should try the Public Records office in Belfast (PRONI) and have a look at Woodburn Presbyterian Church records.  If Hugh and Jenny got married there it is a possibility that Jenny would have been batpised there. 

I hope to be at PRONI this week so I could have a look for you if you can't get.

Other churches Hugh could be from is Ballynure or Raloo Presbyterians.

John

[celticflower]

Hi aghadowey

Sorry my mistake.  The marriage certificate has Residence details, I picked up that Hugh was born in Straid on the 1911 census entry - my apologies.

Regards
Carolann

[celticflower]

Hi John

Yes I do live in NI, I have an appointment with GRO in November - had to wait 8 weeks for an appointment! - I have other research to do there, and was going to look up Hugh and Jenny when I was up there but not holding any thumbs due to dates of civil registration.

I know this is late - we are busy moving house at the moment so have not been online all week - if I have missed your PRONI visit thats ok.  I plan to up again after GRO visit.

From other knowledge I do know a lot of Hilditch's were in the Woodburn congregation, but with regards to Hugh he changed churches in each marriage!  He was married to Jenny - Presbyterian, married Isabella Noble in COI, on the 1911 census he was Independant Church.  His son from his 1st marriage my g-grandfather was COI - so not entirely sure what church records I should be looking at!!

Kind Regards
Carolann