Am stuck!! Advice anyone?

[mandrake]

Am trying to find origins of my gx2  grandparents John Newell (Newall/Newal) who married Ellen (?). I have found a few of their children, all born around 1850's and according to couple of census returns were born in Co Down. That's it. Have searched all usual places and can't get any birth records. They settled in East Belfast. Any ideas on where I might start to look in the millions of Co Down records?. It also doesn't help that they seem to change religion from CofI to Presb. almost as often as they changed address in those days. Have been doing this for couple of years now and don't seem to be any further on. I know one tiny piece of info could open the floodgates, but just wondered if anyone else had same problem of knowing a county and nothing else. Any help greatly appreciated. 

[aghadowey]

Have you found the marriage of John and Ellen yet? civil registration of non-Catholic marriages began in 1845 and index is now online-
http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#p=collectionDetails;t=searchable;c=1408347

Add- have you found John and/or Ellen in 1911 census or are they both dead by then?

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   This may be them.

John Newell married Ellen McCanerny on 5 Aug 1845 in Tullylish Presbyterian Church, Banbridge, Co. Down. The 1863 Griffith's Valuation also has a John Newell renting a house in the townland of Ballysallagh, parish of Dromore, Co. Down

Regards

[aghadowey]

Found this John Newell in Ballysallagh townland earlier (says married 55 years, 4 children/only 1 child living)-
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai002150815/

[mandrake]

Hi - the John Newell/Ellen McAnerny marriage was the only one I thought might apply. Problem is I've looked at all births in Tullylish and can't find any children so have been expanding search from there. John died 1885 and Ellen in 1902. Found her and couple of the unmarried daughters in 1901 census, but again just says born Co Down. Appreciate you looking up that info for me and the links. Thanks!! 

[Bhoy]

You say that Ellen died in 1902.  Is this her?

"Probate of the Will of Ellen Newell late of Dufferine-avenue Bangor County Down Widow who died 10 September 1902 granted at Belfast to William Newman Farmer."

If so, you can get a copy of her will from PRONI.

[mandrake]

Unfortunately no. My Ellen Newell died 7 December 1902 and until death lived in 19 Calvin Street Belfast. Thanks for looking for me though - appreciate it! 

[sam cantley]

  Hi,  Have a look at    http://www.raymondscountydownwebsite.com/
 There is lots of info on families in the South Down area.

  Cheers,   Sam.

[RosemaryJoan]

You say that John and Ellen settled in East Belfast.  Look at this Griffiths entry:

Newell                  John                Cromac
Ballynafoy Ballynafoy Village         Knockbreda     Down

This would be termed 'East Belfast' nowadays
Knockbreda is the Parish

The information below is from Roz Davies's site

John NEWELL . Knockbreda of Ballynafeigh ; died 17 Oct 1871 ; will probated 1880

Do you think this might be your John??
RosemaryJoan