James NELSON - COMPLETED

[dalek39]

Thanks Glamis.....I realize that too..so thats why I took the line I did, I told them I understood there were no birth records before a certain date, so could they please direct me to whatever site may be able to help. if there were any records other than birth...thats all

[aghadowey]

My earlier post was advising searching old directories on PRONI website to see is there was a listing for James Nelson who may or may not have been a publican in Belfast-

One thing you can try is old Belfast directories (see www.proni.gov.uk) as father James might be listed- this is assuming he was the proprietor of a pub rather than merely working in a pub.

My later posts have been telling you again that there will be no birth certificate for James Nelson born in 1840s.
To search for church records in Ireland you need two important bits of information- the family's religion and where they lived- and then you need to check if the relevent church records for that period do exist.

[Glamis]

 Aghadowey, so do you have any idea what to do if you don't have a religeon or a definite place of habitat? Is there a 'let's see' for either RC or Protestant facility? I think the religeous conviction may be the king pin regardless of where but where will help narrow things down. Bit stumped otherwise. Thanks for the pointers though.

[dalek39]

I'll wait and see what come up with the reply I get from Public Records Office Of Northern Ireland. and go from there. thanks Glamis

[aghadowey]

Aghadowey, so do you have any idea what to do if you don't have a religeon or a definite place of habitat? Is there a 'let's see' for either RC or Protestant facility? I think the religeous conviction may be the king pin regardless of where but where will help narrow things down. Bit stumped otherwise. Thanks for the pointers though.

'Protestant' isn't a religion- you need to know their actual religion such as Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregationalist, Quaker, Reformed Presbyterian, Baptist to name the most common ones.
The PRONI records are microfilmed copies of some, not all, surviving church records and they are not on a database. The microfilms need to be checked which is why you need more information. In a city the size of Belfast there are numerous possible churches.

[Glamis]

Aghadowey, Thank you for the clarification. I do get confused about it and it is helpful to get a list of the range of religeons to search through. As Dalek39 says, it will be helpful to see what comes back from the PRO of NI. Your guidance is appreciated.

[aghadowey]

There are at least 5 Church of Ireland possiblities in Belfast alone (and more if 'Belfast' refers to the area rather than just the city). There are at least 30 Presbyterian churches in Belfast but not sure about other denominations. This is why you need to have an idea or the address and religion before starting to look for church records.

[Glamis]

Thanks again- you're guidance is most helpful, especially as Dalek39 is across the other side of the world and I have little knowledge on these things. (My beginnings were in the Middle East with travel stops elsewhere there after. My British / European geography/history input was subsequently quite scanty.Mother being from NZ didn't help in these matters either. At boarding school, an assumption that you knew seemed the order of the day. The wider world was more of a focus with 'older' history more the norm)

[dalek39]

In my search for James Nelsons' origins.. the only Publican I could find in the English Census ..1841
was James and Elizabeth..but.born in Yorkshire..and..no James Jnr.
Next find was James and Agnes Nelson..b Ireland around 1818..with son James, b 1841...Ireland....1951 census......James Snr. was an Accountant..not Publican, but this could have changed... Residence was in Surrey..not far from Kent...is that right.....James Jnr. joined the Royal East Kent Regiment around 1858/9..
I realize this is not proof, but its the best I have at present.
 My mothers sister was named Inez..AKA Agnes...
Any advise on this would be appreciated.