Holmes family from Donegal

[NJ Holmes]

Hi all

I am also posting in case there is a connection between our families.
My great-great grandfather William HOLMES was born in Raphoe, County Donegal on 24 April 1843.
He married Sarah Maria ORR in the Presbyterian church at Taughboyne? on 24 December 1868 and they emigrated to New Zealand in 1873 with their two children (later to become 5).

William's father was Andrew Holmes, and Andrew was possibly a Presbyterian minister although I am unable to verify this.

William had a sister Catherine born 4 September 1845.

That's all I have for now!

[aghadowey]

The only Andrew Holmes I can find as a Presbyterian minister i Ireland is the following:

Rev. Andrew Thoms Holmes, native of Castlefin, ordained Tempo Presbyterian Church 1842, resigned 1849 to do as missionary to Canada.
Brother Rev. Robert Holmes ordained 1839 Coagh Presbyterian Church & died 18 Sept.1881."The Will of the Reverend Robert Holmes late of Coagh County Tyrone Presbyterian Minister deceased who died 18 September 1881 at same place was proved at Armagh by Robert Andrew King Holmes of Coagh M.D. the sole Executor." See www.proni.gov.uk to see wording of Will (which mentions children, in Manitoba, of his dead brother Andrew Thomas King).

[NJ Holmes]

I am now fairly confident that my Andrew Holmes was NOT a Presbyterian minister.

Also, I was recently in touch with a couple of people who believe that all of the Holmes families from this area are related to each other, and descended from this man:

http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Holmes-5926

Of course it is yet to be proven, but there is quite a lot of info regarding his descendants from the Public Record Office in Nothern Ireland.

To the original poster: Is it possible your forebears moved onto (and subsequently passed away in) New Zealand? Not uncommon. There are some fitting suspects (John) here (No Susan sorry):

https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search/Search.aspx?Path=%2FqueryEntry.m%3Ftype%3Ddeaths

[joemc]

Hello had a look for your Holmes family

If the birth of William is correct I can see four other siblings

Sarah Holmes      1836

Joseph Holmes     1838

Mary Holmes       1840 (mothers name not given)but same townland

William Holmes    1843

Catherine Holmes 1845

Father Andrew Holmes, mother Rebecca Allen, births registered Raphoe Presbyterian church

Address for first three births, Lismontigley, Raphoe

on Catherine's birth the address is given as Milltown, Raphoe, a John Holmes is listed living at Milltown in the Griffith Valuation of 1858.

Interestingly on the transcription of Williams birth it does state that Andrew Holmes was a Church minister, I don't see any other references to an Andrew Holmes Minister and occupation is not given on other births so a bit dubious

Hope this helps

[NJ Holmes]

Thanks joe

Ironically I had just found out about those siblings this week. Should've just posted here in the first place!

[kmuttleyjr]

Ive been looking for George Holmes (1817-1890) who was born in Donegal and came to Philadelphia in 1840. He married Mary Smith (abt 1818 - 1880) who came to Philadelphia in 1832. All of the records I can find for them states they are from Donegal. I haven't been able to find clues on where exactly they were from or who their parents were.

[Janice Holmes]

Hi everyone

Just thought I would post my names for my Holmes family from Donegal.
I have a Thomas Holmes who married a Margaret Ann Carland on 8 Mar 1860 in Raphoe Barony Donegal.
A son Thomas Holmes was born 1860 Raphoe Barony Donegal.
The family then came out to Australia in between  this time frame 1860-1866.
As yet I have not found their immigration record in oz, still looking.

Hoping to hear from anyone with a connection to this family.

kind regards
Trudi

[Janice Holmes]

I think I'm one of the family. Just seen this site, my dad is Stewart Holmes, went to Donegal to stay with his family when he was 8 from Scotland.  Have the family tree. . Thomas his grandfather.

[troods]

Hi Janice and fellow Holmes ancestors,

I have been unable to find any other clues in regards to my Thomas Holmes, but I can see that some of you have had some wonderful break throughs. That's fantastic

Troods