RICE, Gilford

[trishhh]

This message is to any RICE seekers

I'm trying to find more about non catholic RICE'S in Co. Down. I have a William and a Robert from Gilford in 1862, travelling to Australia ... with a James Rice as their father..
Nearly all the Rice's in Co. Down are Catholic.. so I'm guessing (big leap) that some of the names in the Irish 1901 census might be related???  Then I might be able to follow those lines to find out any thing about James

Cheer Trish

Moderator's Note: split from a thread on Monaghan board

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   What ages were William and Robert? I can find a record of three James Rice marriages in Tullyish Church of Ireland, 1845, 1852 andd 1859.

Regards

[trishhh]

Hi King... So sorry for not getting back... but I gave up on looking for any Rice information, as all I was hitting was brickwalls.
Butttt... Within the last month new information has been opened in Ancestry and I can now tell you that William (1844) & Robert (1846) came from Ballynagarrick, Co Down. Another researcher had information from Knockamuckley Church that these boys were living (separately) with uncles in Ballynagarrick. William (15) lived with uncle William (42) & family. Robert (11) lived with John (50 - farmer) and family. John's 2 sons immigrated to NZ in the 1860's and 2 possible sons ended up in VIC, Aust.
John (s/o John) married Sarah Patton in Armagh and is listed as Ch o E. Will (1844- Aust; 1842-Ballyna) & Robert (1846) are listed as Ch o E.
There was an entry for a James Rice marrying and Eliza/beth Toppin (Topham more likely, they lived Ballydougan) in Nov 1841, which fits for William's Irish dates.
Interestingly... the entries in the Church survey of 1857 lists the father of William & Robert as 'father in America'. Once upon a time, I did find a message looking for a James Rice who had to leave Co Down under suspicious circumsatnces. they listed John rice SR and James's father and John Rice JR as brother (these would be the Rice's of Ballynagarrick from the Valuation). I recall that they said their family legend was that James arrived in the USA, under a different name because he may have been wanted for doing something to his Landlord.
Also, a HANS rice lived near John Rice (s/o John) and had one of John's sons-in-law look after his will.
Once again sorry for not getting back sooner... and if anyone can find/recall information on a James rice who maybe fled Co. Down to USA... before 1857... Would love to hear from you...
Cheers..

[BallyaltikilliganG]

Another source for Rice in Co Down is http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rosdavies/SURNAMES/R/Rice.htm

[trishhh]

HI Bally...
I have looked through RosDavies site and now can try to put some odd names together ... For instance, have found a Hans Rice living near John rice that came to Aust in 1850's. John Rice researcher has him from Ballynagarrick. Hans (listed as Hans on death/will notice & marriage & death cert) Rice get John's son-in-law to sort the details of his will.

Hans is such a unique name. Robert Rice of NZ shares a block of land with a Hants Rice (changes to Hans). robert  is highly suspected of being John's brother.

From ros site .. Hans s/o thomas and James s/o Hans... Sarah (aka widow Bartley) d/o Hans... James & Sarah marry siblings? on the same day... mmm was there a hurry too.. eg. immigration.

Thanks for your help... cheers

[jimchelsea]

Kingskerswell could i ask if those Tullylish C.O.I records are on line?
regards
jim

[kingskerswell]

Hi Jim,
         Have sent a PM.

Regards