Marriage James Ritchie and Catherine Johnston

[Peggy13]

I have been told that a lot of the Ritchie family came from Ballymena. I am looking for the marriage of James Ritchie and Catherine Johnston about 1824.  They had a daughter Ann born May 5, 1825 and then they emigrated to Canada in 1827.  I believe Catherine to be a sister to my James Johnston who also emigrated in 1827 with his wife Margaret Jane, parents John and Anna Johnston/Johnstone, and 3 or 4 children.
It would be incredible good luck if the marriage of James Ritchie and Catherine Johnston could be found.
Thanks for any help
Peggy

[aghadowey]

To find such an early marriage record (civil registration of non-Catholic marriages in Ireland started 1864) you'll need to search for church records (if they exist)- to do so you need to know their religion and where they lived- 'Ballymena' can refer to the town or a large area around it which contains a lot of churches (not all of them will have records which cover 1820s).
If Catherine Johnston is a sister of James Johnston you should start by searching in the area where you know James Johnston lived in Ireland- marriages ususally took place in the bride's church.

[Peggy13]

Thank you for your reply. I don't know where James Johnston lived and was hoping to find out if the marriage of Catherine were found.
Peggy

[aghadowey]

Do you know that there might have been a connection to Ballymena area or is it just that you've been told that there were Ritchies in that area?

[Peggy13]

Two sources. I was told that a lot of Ritchies came from Ballymena. Also, a descendant of a related but different line of Johnstons says there is a family rumour that his Johnstons came from Ballymena.  So I thought I would give it a try.  You never know, someone researching Catherine and James might have seen the posting.
Peggy

[aghadowey]

Ritchie is a fairly common name in lots of areas in Northern Ireland but they might not have been from the same area as Johnstons, Unfortunately, with such early dates you need to know what area to begin searching for church records.

[Peggy13]

You are quite right, although at some point they had to be nearby or something, in order for James Ritchie to marry Catherine Johnston.  Ireland is such a tough place to research with so many missing or destroyed records.
Peggy

[mtramirez]

Hi I am wondering if you ever found the Johnston family members you were looking for? I am researching one James Johnston from Ballymena but he was born in 1881. Thanks. Marina

[Peggy13]

Yes, my James Ritchie and Catherine Johnston would have married abt 1824 as their firstborn was May 5, 1826 in Magherafelt, Co. Derry.  I am pretty sure that my James Johnston and Catherine are siblings but his death says he is from Co. Antrim. My James born 1798, Catherine 1803, and William 1812. I am pretty sure they are all siblings but probably will never prove it.  My James' son James married Catherine's daughter Sarah Jane Ritchie.
Who did your James born 1881 marry? I have many other lines from Co. Antrim in particular Boyds and Beggs.
Peggy